Mathew Dellavedova is one of the best Australian players to play overseas, and one of the few Australians to win a Championship ring in the most competitive basketball league, the NBA. Matthew was a star youth Basketball player, but due to his size, he was underestimated. As a result, no major college took a chance on him. Dellavedova ultimately joined Saint Mary’s College located in Moraga, California.
Dellavedova played four years for Saint Mary’s and finished as a top-three scorer for the team between 2009 and 2013. Despite winning the 2011-12 WCC Player of the Year honors, he went undrafted in 2013. Little did many of us know, he had an amazing career ahead.
Matthew Dellavedova Championship Ring (2016 NBA Finals)
Dellavedova won his first and to date, his only NBA Ring in 2016 as the Cavaliers triumphed from a 3-1 deficit to lift the trophy. Delly played a pivotal role in helping lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA Championship. The team was headlined by superstar LeBron James but thrived due to contributions from players like Dellavedova who provided crucial support.
Throughout that championship-winning campaign, Dellavedova showcased his talents both as a floor general and defensive stalwart. While not typically considered one of the primary offensive options for Cleveland, he displayed remarkable poise under pressure along with solid playmaking abilities.
His intense hustle disrupted opponents' plays and frustrated opposing players throughout each series. With relentless energy on every possession, Dellavadova proved capable of shutting down some of the league's elite scorers at times when it mattered most.
The 2015 NBA Finals
Prior to winning his championship ring, Dellavedova had a splendid 2015 season. Leading up to the 2015 playoffs, Dellavedova averaged 4.8 points, three assists, and 0.4 steals per game. While only having nine double digits games throughout the regular season, he was garnering more attention for his guarding skills.
Dellavedova was exceptional in the playoffs averaging 7.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 0.5 steals. His most notable performance came in Game 2 of the NBA Finals where he guarded Steph Curry the entire game and stopped him on only 5 of 23 field goals and 2 of 15 three-points scored. Cavs fans even started calling him the"Curry stopper".
His 20 points were crucial in winning the Cavaliers Game 3, taking them up two games to one (2-1).
Despite leading the series 2-1, the Golden State Warriors took home the Larry O'Brien trophy.
While Mathew Dellavedova's career has seen ups and downs since that championship-winning season, his contributions to the Cleveland Cavaliers during their historic run in 2016 remains etched in NBA history. His relentless guarding, defense, and unwavering commitment to team success showed his true qualities as a player and contributor. He is an underrated professional player but beloved for his passion towards Basketball.
FAQs
A. Born on September 8, 1990, Dellavedova is 32 years old.
A. Dellavedova’s height measures 6 feet 3 inches.
A. Dellavedova was born in Maryborough, Victoria, Australia.
A. Matthew attended Saint Mary’s College located in Moraga, California.
A. Yes. Delly is part of the Australian Boomers Squad and will play in the World Cup.
