‘This is Yours’: Matthew Dellavedova’s Gracious Gesture as Illawarra Hawks Break 24-Year NBL Championship Drought

Australian basketball stalwart Matthew Dellavedova faced a gut-wrenching loss in the NBL finals, but his poise remained intact after the final buzzer.

In a poignant turn of events, the Illawarra Hawks finally broke their 24-year title drought, showcasing a powerful offensive performance in the decisive match against Melbourne United.

With members of the club’s championship-winning team from the 2000/2001 season present in the stands, the Hawks surged to a 114-104 victory over Melbourne United.

However, the narrative shifted dramatically post-match as Dellavedova was awarded the MVP title—much to the dismay of many who believed a Hawks player should have earned the honour instead.

The 34-year-old point guard acknowledged the crowd’s sentiments, as a wave of boos erupted from the unfriendly audience in Wollongong after the announcement.

“Hold on, hold on,” Dellavedova remarked upon receiving the award.

“This trophy truly belongs to you,” he affirmed, directing his gesture towards Hawks point guard Will Hickey.

“You had an incredible series. Big congratulations on the win. To my teammates, thanks for a fantastic season… but this honour is yours.”

Afterwards, Dellavedova stepped away from the stage and approached Hickey, who appeared in disbelief as he received the accolade.

The two shared a warm embrace while the crowd roared in support of Hickey.

“This is a moment that will be etched in memory forever,” remarked one commentator.

The Hawks celebrated only their second title in the club’s 47-year history, while Melbourne faced their second straight defeat in a five-game finals series.

The match began with Melbourne establishing a 10-point lead, only for the Hawks to level the scores at 26-26 by the end of the first quarter.

Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell III collaborated with Hickey to orchestrate a stunning 34-point run in the second quarter, leaving United scrambling for a response.

Melbourne suffered a significant setback early in the third quarter when towering front man Marcus Lee succumbed to a suspected shoulder injury.

Lee was caught at the edge of a contest within the Hawks’ key, colliding with teammate Jack White, who seemingly crashed into him to clear the ball.

The 30-year-old collapsed to the court, visibly in pain while clutching his shoulder before being whisked away for medical assistance.

“He went straight into the rooms, quickly followed by the club’s performance team,” reported Matt Russell during the broadcast on Channel 10.

“It appears to be a dislocated shoulder… His arm was just hanging limp by his side.”

Lee’s absence compounded United’s woes as they watched the coveted NBL trophy drift further from reach amidst the raucous cheers of the Hawks fans—who just two seasons ago witnessed their team finish last on the NBL ladder.

“I’m simply trying to savour this moment, to be honest,” said Hickey.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. We had our backs against the wall, yet we displayed such resilience.

“To bounce back after two losses on our home court and to clinch it here tonight, that’s something I can’t even begin to describe. Everyone in that room is thrilled for each other.”