How LeBron James can help Matthew Dellavedova extend his stellar career with the Sydney Kings

Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova is using lessons passed down to him by ageless NBA legend LeBron James as he looks to extend his career into his late 30s.

Lessons from LeBron James has Matthew Dellavedova primed to defy Father Time and extend his stellar career into his late 30s with the Sydney Kings.

Dellavedova, who turns 35 in September, was officially unveiled as a King on Thursday after knocking back big free agency offers from Brisbane, Perth and ex-team Melbourne United.

The veteran guard has inked a three-year deal, but won’t rule out extending his stay in the Harbour City beyond this tenure.

Dellavedova is determined to play basketball for as long as his body will allow, revealing how tips from his former NBA championship-winning teammate has him feeling fitter and mentally stronger than ever before.

Matthew Dellavedova has been officially unveiled as a Sydney King. Picture: Getty

James is the flag-bearer for longevity in basketball with the LA Lakers star in his 23rd NBA season at age 40.

Dellavedova credits advice from LeBron for helping him to maximise his game in the latter stage of his career.

“When I played with him in Cleveland and we’d be in the cold tubs together doing recovery – I’d just pepper him with questions,” said Dellavedova, who confirmed he still keeps in contact with James.

“I would really pick his brain and try and absorb as much information about nutrition, recovery, weights, off court business stuff. Everything.

“And he was always extremely generous in sharing that with me and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Dellavedova won an NBA championship with LeBron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Picture: Getty

Dellavedova has long been a dedicated disciple to his body.

Whether it is extra sunlight or his love for oysters, the veteran guard is always looking for an edge to maximise his potential.

It’s why Dellavedova studies the best in the business when it comes to long careers in sport, including basketball greats Lauren Jackson, Dave Andersen and also veteran Collingwood Magpies AFL midfielder Scott Pendlebury.

“I just like to learn things and I like to improve,” he said.

“I caught up with Dave (Andersen) the other day and he is another one who always took care of his body and was doing different things to make the most of his career to play at a high level from a long time (23 years and 22 championships/Cups across the world).

“I think the sports science and knowledge in that space has improved so much that if you’ve made the deposits and put the time in when you are younger, you get to enjoy playing for a lot longer.”

In a bid to squeeze every bit of ability out of his body, Dellavedova travels to the United States every off-season to attend P3 – a Peak Performance Project facility based in Santa Barbara.

BASKETBALL ROYALTY JOINS THE KINGDOM 👑

Our Kings have made the biggest signing of the #NBL26 free agency to date by agreeing to a multi-year deal with four-time Olympian Matthew Dellavedova.

📰: https://t.co/fQeWGd7juA#TakeTheThronepic.twitter.com/VAE1220kzL

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) April 10, 2025

P3 – which has assessed over 68 per cent of NBA players – uses a team of sports scientists and engineers to maximise performance through technology.

This type of added work that has Dellavedova believing he can defy his age and dunk in NBL26.

“I’m still working on a dunk, which I think will come next year because the training and knowledge has improved,” he said.

“The last time I tested at P3 last off-season I was putting up better numbers than when I was coming out of college.

“It’s fun getting better athletically, but also on the court as well.”

STEAK WITH HOOPS ROYALTY

Dellavedova confirmed the lure of Sydney’s coaching staff- Hall of Famers Brian Goorjian, Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley- was too enticing to ignore.

He revealed how a steak dinner in the city with Goorjian, Bogut and Longley won over his heart and stomach.

Matthew Dellavedova isn’t done yet with the Boomers. Picture: Michael Klein

Dellavedova believes the trio of Boomers greats will put him in the best position to don the green and gold at 2027 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics.

“A big factor in the decision is what is going to help me get to another World Cup and Olympics and I think Sydney is the perfect spot for that,” said Dellavedova while donning the Kings’ iconic purple and gold overlooking the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge

“I have great relationships with all three of those guys.

“Goorj as a head coach, Bogues as a teammate and Luc as an assistant coach and a mentor figure in general.

“It was more fun than anything, but we also had some great basketball talk as well.”

DELLY’S TEAM

Goorjian has labelled Sydney “Delly’s team”, confirming he will hand the ball and the chief playmaking duties to the veteran guard.

The four-time Olympian will also play a vital cultural role for the Kings with his dogged desire to achieve, on-and-off the court.

Dellavedova is pumped about the prospect of being a leader in Sydney.

“I think one of my biggest strengths is making others better,” he said.

“Whether that is on-court communicating or passing to get guys in the right spot at the right time or off the court trying to be an open book and share as much information as possible.

“I’ve already been talking and messaging some of the guys and they are hungry to learn.

“I want to help them in any way that I can.”

Matthew Dellavedova poses with a Kings jersey and Sydney Kings head coach Brian Goorjian (R) and Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass (L). Photo: Getty

Dellavedova knows how hard it is to win a championship, as shown through his consecutive grand final losses with Melbourne United, but he believes the Kings possess the pieces to compete for a title.

“They have a great existing group of players already, a lot of different weapons defensively with the versatility,” he said.

“But also offensively with the athleticism, combined with the shooting.

“I’ve always had a great connection with Xavier (Cooks), so I’m excited about that part.”

BOOMERS VISION

Dellavedova can’t wait to represent his beloved Boomers again and hasn’t ruled out playing in the Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia from August 5-17.

“I obviously love playing for Australia anytime I can, so I’m definitely going to chat to a few people about that,” he said.

“Once we get settled next week I’m going to sit down and figure out the plan for the off-season.”

Dellavedova started his Sydney stint in typical ‘Delly’ fashion with a 7am training session on the morning of his introductory press conference.

It’s exactly the type of dedication Goorjian wants at the Kings, so he was naturally thrilled to see the extra effort from his new marquee man.

“It’s great – he (Delly) is an animal – and we’re thrilled to have him.”