Melbourne United optimistic about Shea Ili’s future despite second head knock in just two months

Shea Ili’s long history of concussions has continued after suffering a blow during a training incident in New Zealand.

Melbourne United guard Shea Ili is recovering from his second concussion in just two months following a training incident while playing in the NZNBL during the off-season.

CODE Sports can reveal Ili suffered a knock to the head while at a session with the Wellington Saints late last week.

The latest blow continues a long history of concussions for the Tall Blacks veteran dating back to 2022.

Ili suffered a head knock during Game 2 of last season’s NBL Grand Final series against the Illawarra Hawks.

He copped an accidental elbow while competing for possession with Hawks guard Will Hickey, left the court and didn’t return.

Despite passing initial concussion tests, he was sidelined due to concussion protocols and missed Game 3. His availability for Game 4 and 5 was a game-time decision, with the club prioritising his health.

Shea Ili is recovering from another concussion. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

United coach Dean Vickerman said Ili passed a subsequent concussion test, but the choice was made to rest him for the second half.

“With the history, we didn’t feel like it was the right thing to put him back out there tonight,” Vickerman said.

Ili suffered several concussions during the NBL23 season, playing just 14 games, but returned to play in NBL24.

United told Code Sports the club has “no concerns” about Ili’s long-term future despite his latest concussion setback.

“The club has been in contact with Shea as he recovers in New Zealand,” a United spokesman said.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has commented on Ili’s concussions in the past. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“Our high performance staff has been communicating with Wellington’s throughout the process and will continue to work alongside Shea, as we do with all our players, to best prepare them for the season ahead.”

In NBL23, Ili suffered two separate concussions, one during the pre-season and another one in January, 2023.

He told reporters at the time about the concerning impact.

“I just thought I was fatigued, I went home, didn’t feel right,” Ili said.

“I had a nap and woke up and thought I was concussed.

Ili spoke about his concussion issue in 2023. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

“It’s similar to vertigo. Dizzy, feel foggy most days. Some days I’ll feel great and then I’ll feel super foggy and fatigued. The feeling of not feeling right was frustrating.”

United is confident Ili’s latest concussion setback won’t be career-threatening, but another head knock would be problematic.

The NBL’s concussion protocol emphasises player safety and requires immediate removal from play for any suspected concussion.

Players must be assessed by a medical professional and cannot return to play until cleared by a doctor.

A graduated return-to-play (RTP) program, often involving multiple stages and a minimum of 24 hours at each stage, is used to ensure a player’s complete recovery.

Originally published as Melbourne United optimistic about Shea Ili’s future despite second head knock in just two months