United zone in on big

Milton, Goulding, Walker, Delany... now they need a big to complete the puzzle.

Melbourne United has touched down at Summer League with one clear mission: find a high-level center to complete what looms as one of the most talented rosters in the NBL.

With Shea Ili, Dash Daniels and Tanner Krebs already anchoring the bench, are United quietly building a powerhouse while the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers dominate the headlines?

“We've probably had a list of about 25 centers, whether they're playing here this week or not playing and we're catching up with their agents,” CEO Nick Truelson said.

“We're excited about the talent we're seeing.”

Melbourne has fallen just short in back-to-back seasons and is determined to break through for a title in the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.

“We've got a private workout organised for a player as well, so trying to do as much as we can this week, knowing that it might actually take a little bit of time before we find the player we want,” Truelson added.

“You look across our league, there are some teams needing three or four players. So for us to be pretty specific, it's good for us to know exactly what we want.

“We've got a PD that we're using and saying we want the player to really fit into this. And we know the last couple of years we've got so close.

“We know if we can get it right, we've got a really balanced lineup already with the imports we've brought in and also the locals we've got together. I think we're excited about next year.”

Ariel Hukporti is one player who’s previously anchored the five spot for United, and the now New York Knicks big man has been turning heads again in Las Vegas.

“It was awesome to see Ariel playing … I know Dean (Vickerman) has that thought process that finding someone like Ariel would be really good. A defensive anchor, the way we like to play. But we also might find a center who can score, and that might take us to a whole new level next year.”

The 2025 NBA Summer League starts from July 11, Australian time, with exclusive interviews and insights available on the NBL App and NBL.com.au.