Matthew Dellavedova reveals he wants to play on with the Boomers after the Paris Games

Veteran Boomers champion Matthew Dellavedova is refusing to treat the Paris Olympics as a farewell touring telling people close to him he wants to play on for Australia.

After defying the odds – and doubters – to make Australia’s Paris Olympic squad veteran Boomers champion Matthew Dellavedova isn’t done.

The 33-year-old is refusing to treat his fourth Games like a farewell tour and telling those close to him, including his Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman, that he wants to play on in the green and gold.

“Delly told me he isn’t done after the Paris Olympics,” Vickerman said. “People are talking about Joe (Ingles) and Patty Mills and maybe this is their swansong, but Delly is like: ‘Not for me’.

“He said he is looking ahead to what Boomers team he can make after Paris as well.”

It’s no surprise coming from the man who worked so hard guarding Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry during the 2016 NBA Finals that he had to be put on a drip after running himself into dehydration.

Matthew Dellavedova in action against the USA. Picture: Joe Murphy/NBAE

Dellavedova doesn’t do anything by half measures and he’s defied the odds his entire career to become an NBA champion, Olympic bronze medallist and one of basketball’s most respected players.

Many people might scoff at Dellavedova’s dream to don the green and gold again after Paris given his age and the future direction of the Boomers squad under emerging guards like Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.

Talk to “Delly”, though, and he is dead serious.

According to Vickerman, Dellavedova is one of the most goal driven people he has met.

The day after he lost this year’s NBL championship to the Tasmania JackJumpers, he was in the gym and setting his four-year plan.

Matthew Dellavedova won an NBA Championship alongside LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

It was the same approach when he was cut from the Boomers’ World Cup squad last year.

Instead of sulking, he was back in the gym working hard with his sights set on redemption.

“That’s just how Delly operates,” Vickerman added.

“He puts his goals in front of him and he does everything in the process to get there.

“It’s a credit to him to make this Olympic team. He is meticulous in how he is as a pro, in terms of how he eats, sleeps, sunshine and oysters.

“It’s different, but it’s all about achieving those goals that he sets.”

This locked-in attitude has helped Dellavedova reach the Paris Games.

Dellavedova was also a bronze medal winner in Tokyo. Picture: Adam Head

His dogged determination and highly efficient performance in the Boomers six point loss Team USA in Abu Dhabi last week underlined his importance to the team’s success at the Games and earned high praise from Andrew Bogut.

“He played four minutes and he had two rebounds, two assists and a steal,” Bogut said on SEN radio. “That’s why he’s in the team because you can play him for a quick 30 second stint and you know that guy is going to get on the court like he’s had seven red bulls.”

Vickerman is expecting the beloved guard to produce his dogged best in a bid to help the Boomers reach another podium.

“He’ll be more than an insurance policy as the third guard on the Boomers,” he said.

“I know he can run a team, handle pressure and get the team organised.

“His assist numbers were way up for the Boomers during the warm-up games against China in Melbourne and I think that is his role on the team.

“Delly will make sure everyone else shines and he’ll also take on some defensive assignments.

“At the same time if anything happened to a Giddey or Dante Exum, Delly will certainly be ready for those major minutes.”

Originally published as Matthew Dellavedova reveals he wants to play on with the Boomers after the Paris Games