Matthew Dellavedova, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Aussie battler, lives the dream with NBA championship

VICTORIA’s Matthew Dellavedova has proven that dreams come true after becoming the fourth Australian in three years to be crowned a champion in the world’s most famous basketball league.

LeBron James #23, Matthew Dellavedova #8 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after winning the 2016 NBA Finals. Picture: Getty

VICTORIA’s Matthew Dellavedova has proven that dreams come true after becoming the fourth Australian in three years to be crowned a champion in the world’s most famous basketball league.

Aussie battler Dellavedova proved the doubters wrong, claiming an NBA championship alongside US superstar LeBron James as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors.

The Maryborough marvel who was not even drafted and had to scrap his way to the top of world sport was rewarded in the best possible way — a championship ring and a champagne shower.

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He was beaming in the locker rooms after the victory, momentarily wearing ski goggles to protect his eyes from dozens of bottles of Moet being sprayed in celebration.

“Just a boy from Maryborough, growing up in the country and then an NBA champion,’’ he said.

“It’s crazy.’’

Matthew Dellavedova celebrates his NBA dream. Picture: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty

It’s a super selfie with Tristan Thompson after the NBA win.

Celebrating the 2016 NBA Champion @cavs with @matthewdelly & family! pic.twitter.com/RHqFiuxCBz

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2016

It was the first time in NBA history, a team has won the title after trailing the best of seven series 3-1 and coming back to win 4-3.

The victory also ended one of the longest droughts in US sports dubbed the “Cleveland curse”, handing the Ohio city its first professional sporting title in 52 years.

Dellavedova, criticised by sections of the US media for his hard-nosed approach to the game, said he never gave up hope of achieving his fairytale.

“It tastes sweet, very sweet,’’ he said.

Dellavedova and Stephen Curry fight for the ball in the 2015 Finals.

And, despite chasing Olympic glory with Australia in Rio next month, he said he would celebrate in style.

“I think I can spare a couple of days and then I’ll get back to it,’’ he said.

“We’re going to enjoy it.’’

Proud mum and dad Leanne and Mark shared the special occasion in Oakland and said the victory was for the people of country Victoria as well as Cleveland.

“What he has done to get here, he has had so many knockers who said ‘he couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that’ right since he was 13-years-old,’’ his dad said.

“He just kept persevering. His attitude was just be better one day at a time

‘’For him to do that — no matter what the knockers said to him — undrafted, no one wanted him — and he is playing with the best player in the land, and they now have a championship.’’

Leanne said the whole of Maryborough and Bendigo where he played junior basketball would have been watching on TV.

“I’ve actually received messages saying how very proud they are feeling,’’ she said.

“You can’t imagine how we are feeling — we’re are very, very proud of him.’’

Dellavedova’s joy was Melbourne’s Andrew Bogut’s pain as the Golden State Warriors centre watched injured from the locker rooms as his team’s season went up in spoke despite winning more games than any other in history.

Bogut won an NBA title with the Warriors last year and Aussie Patty Mills and Aron Baynes claimed a championship with the San Antonio Spurs the year before.

Twitter: @rolfep

Congratulations to @matthewdelly and the @cavs !! Commiserations to @andrewbogut - Australia is proud of you both!

— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 20, 2016

Congrats @matthewdelly 6 Aussies with rings!#NBAFinals

— Brad Newley (@BradNewley) June 20, 2016

NBA | @matthewdelly is an NBA Champion after the @cavs clinched the Finals series 4-3 today: https://t.co/39t8Bdk1A8 pic.twitter.com/cWy1hds0QT

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) June 20, 2016

Hats off to @cavs 3-1 down an clawed back for there city. @KingJames @KyrieIrving #fire another Aussie with a ring. @matthewdelly congrats

— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) June 20, 2016

Well done @matthewdelly NBA champion

— Brendan Fevola (@BrendanFevola25) June 20, 2016

Congratulations to @matthewdelly!! 2016 NBA Champion! #ALLin216 pic.twitter.com/mcp7Gel1EE

— Saint Mary's Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) June 20, 2016

Congrats @matthewdelly!!

— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) June 20, 2016

Congrats @matthewdelly - @NBA Champion! Defied all odds along the way to reach his goal. Amazing self-belief & persistence. Well done mate.

— Jason Bennett (@Aussies_Abroad) June 20, 2016