Matthew Dellavedova has given Boomers officials his assurances that he will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics
Matthew Dellavedova has been plagued by injuries this NBA season and missed a stack of games but he doesn’t want to miss the Olympics.
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Matthew Dellavedova has given Boomers officials his assurances that he will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics despite suffering a neck injury.
Dellavedova, who missed the NBA season’s first 47 games because of a severe concussion and whiplash, is sidelined with a neck strain suffered on April 25.
He hasn’t been with the team in any capacity since the injury and is set to sit out the rest of Cleveland’s season, which finishes on May 16.
The Cavaliers are second last in the Eastern Conference, with no chance of making the playoffs.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian recently contacted Australian assistant coaches in America, who had spoken to Dellavedova about the extent of his injury.
Goorjian revealed the veteran guard declared he is committed to Australia’s Tokyo Olympic campaign, which begins on July 23.
“He (Delly) said he was fine,” Goorjian said.
“He didn’t think he would play the rest of the NBA season, but he would be ready for the Boomers.”
It follows Goorjian recently declaring he will give Dellavedova “every opportunity” to prove his fitness for the Tokyo Olympics, knowing how important he is to the team’s medal chances.
“He is certainly a huge part of this Olympic campaign as an NBA player as far as their commitment goes to the Boomers,” he said about Dellavedova, who will most likely play off the bench in Tokyo if NBA star Ben Simmons commits.
“He is one of the key culture guys in the importance of the green and gold and trying to medal.
“So, everything possible will be done to have him available, healthy and ready to play.
“I mean, every opportunity, every chance.”
Originally published as Matthew Dellavedova has given Boomers officials his assurances that he will be ready for the Tokyo Olympics
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