United re-sign key piece

Monday, April 7, 2025

Melbourne United have re-signed Shea Ili for the next two seasons.

Melbourne United have re-signed consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award winner, Shea Ili, for the next two seasons.

Ili has represented the club since 2019, helping them to a championship in 2021, and is eager to maintain the winning mindset after United fell just short in back-to-back seasons.

“Deano (Head Coach Dean Vickerman) brings out the best in all of us, making it a natural fit for me to be here. I love what the club stands for and the community surrounding it,” Ili said.

“I’m here to do my part, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help us win a championship. The organisation has done an amazing job over the years at putting us in a position to contend, and as a player, knowing that we’ll have a team committed to winning and being great off the court is invaluable.

“My family and I love Melbourne; two of my three girls were born here, so it truly feels like our home away from home. Playing in front of our incredible fans again means a lot to me.”

Vickerman praised the impact of the selfless guard.

"He’s the epitome of a share player; someone that values everyone around them at the club. To lock in that sort of culture fit is essential to us continuing to get better,” Vickerman said.

“We know just how important it is to have a backcourt player that can really defend at a high level. There are so many talented guards coming into this league and to be able to have a counter to them is so beneficial, and that’s what he brings as the two-time reigning Best Defensive Player.

“At the other end, the pace that he plays the game at generates so many open shots for his teammates. He’s constantly putting heat on the rim and creating opportunities at an elite level.”

Ili joins Chris Goulding, Tanner Krebs, Kyle Bowen and Dash Daniels (Next Star) as contracted players for NBL26.