‘Missed opportunity’: NBL leader’s call for united pride push
Melbourne United and coach Dean Vickerman have spoken out on the “missed opportunity” of a rival club’s stance on NBL Pride Round. Find out what the legendary coach and advocate had to say.
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has lamented NZ Breakers’ decision to blanket ban the rainbow Progress Flag on their jerseys during Pride Round.
Code Sports, earlier this month, revealed the Breakers’ playing group had collectively decided none would wear the insignia in a bid to “protect” some players who had raised “religious and cultural concerns”.
The club said it was “open and inclusive” and would “celebrate the diversity of LGBTQI+ players, members, volunteers and supporters” during Pride Round.
But Vickerman, who coached New Zealand to the 2015 NBL title, said the Breakers “missed an opportunity” to ensure the whole league backed the LGBTQI+ community and questioned the duality of the club’s statement.
“I don’t want to delve into anyone’s religious beliefs and if that is what is stopping them for whatever reason, but this game (Pride Round), I’ve loved it for a long time and it’s for everybody and we just want it to be that space that everyone just feels comfortable,” Vickerman said.
“That club came out and said, ‘fans, staff, whoever it is, we support this community’. But I just think if they really support it, they could have used it on their jersey.”
In late January’s Pride Round, the Breakers are slated to face Vickerman’s United and the Adelaide 36ers – home to the world’s only current openly gay male professional basketballer Isaac Humphries.
United chief executive Nick Truelson echoed Vickerman, urging all NBL clubs to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community.
“Other sporting codes play individual games around pride but It’s pretty amazing that, as a code, the NBL with the clubs are actually celebrating a dedicated round,” Truelson said.
During its own pride celebration on February 7, Melbourne will wear specially-designed jerseys that sport a rainbow border around ‘United’ lettering.
That game will hold extra significance, given it’s against Humphries’ Sixers.
It’s three years this month, since the former United big man revealed his sexuality to the world.
At the time, it was United and Vickerman who helped him navigate that process.
“Playing Adelaide in this game will be special because we get to relive that moment with Isaac,” Vickerman said.
“I remember Isaac asked to come meet me at home and, when a player asked that, you know it’s something significant.
“It was a really cool moment, sitting in my backyard, he just let me know that he’d love to talk to the team and come out.
“We had a good chat and I just hugged him and said we supported him.”
DJ MASTERCLASS A MATCH-WINNING REMINDER
Adelaide’s Dejan Vasiljevic is widely regarded as one of the best local talents in the NBL, so his relegation to the bench and heavily reduced role has surprised many.
At halftime of the second-placed Sixers’ Saturday night win over South East Melbourne, it didn’t go unnoticed the 28-year-old had had hit the court for just three minutes.
Former Illawarra championship coach Brendan Joyce reckons Adelaide can’t win the NBL26 title without maximising its elite shooting weapon.
“(DJ) has proven he is one of the … best 3 point shooters in the country – they are not winning a championship without him playing more,” Joyce wrote on X.
“Three minutes in a half for such a player is questionable.”
That’s what DJ can do! 3 minutes in a half for such a player is questionable. Probably won’t see it again now after he exploded to be the game changer to lead @Adelaide36ers to an important win over a talented @SEMelbPhoenix
— Brendan Joyce (@Brendan_Joyce12) November 22, 2025
@Adelaide36ers got to play DJ more. He has proven he is 1 of the most dangerous & clutch & best 3 point shooters in the country. They are not winning a championship without him playing more. They actually got to still run actions to get him open shots despite having BC.
— Brendan Joyce (@Brendan_Joyce12) November 22, 2025
Called on by coach Mike Wells, Vasiljevic produced a pulsating 17-point, five-three-pointer fourth-quarter that led the Sixers home.
It prompted this from former Phoenix big man Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams: “DJ can really shoot (DUH). Glad to see he finally found the court.”
DJ can really shoot (DUH) glad to see he finally found the court! #NBL26
— BigSauce (@alantwilliams) November 22, 2025
Wells has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and is still searching for his best mix.
“DJ’s been a starter for a long time – he plays three minutes (in the first half, then) he plays 17, 18 in the second,” Wells said.
“There are going to be different starting line-ups at times and I think that’s good for this group because we have so much talent and then there’s different rotations when you start different guys.”
For his part, Vasiljevic has been saying all the right things as his team enters the FIBA break 11-3 and powers toward a deep postseason run.
“Just being a professional, being ready off the bench and doing what I do is make shots and try be a winner and win a championship,” Vasiljevic offered.
MAKING OF ‘THR33SUS’ HUNT3R
At 28 and in his fifth NBL season, South East Melbourne’s monster in the middle Jordi Hunter has remarkably added another devastating string to his bow.
Traditionally a bash-and-crash big man who is one of the league’s best screen-and-rollers, Hunter has emerged as an elite three-point shooter.
The New South Welshman, who won two titles in Sydney before making the move to the Phoenix at the beginning of last season, only attempted 83 triples and made just 24 across his first 161 games.
But, in 13 games this season, he’s launched from deep 40 times, making good on 21 as the NBL’s leader in three-point accuracy (52.5 per cent).
“It’s going in at the moment, so we’ll try to make hay while the sun shines,” Hunter said.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR THAT WASN’T
As Illawarra superstar JaVale McGee’s potential game-tying launch from beyond half court sailed through the net, Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman’s thoughts quickly turned to what was next.
United had led all night but the bucket would have sent the game to overtime, leaving Vickerman with the tough task of steeling his troops for another five minutes of high-pressure hoops.
“I thought it was quite close (to going in),” Vickerman said.
“I did see the referee waving it off, so thought we might have been in good shape, but they were reviewing, so we didn’t know.
“So, I was preparing myself to go to overtime.”
Unfortunately for anyone outside United and its fanbase, the insane effort came a millisecond after the buzzer, robbing the NBL of an all-time moment.
‘LOVE YA — SAY IT BACK’: DIVINE STEAKS, MAGNATILE TOWERS AND ONE ‘DIRTY CLEAN’ RED FLAG
Jenna Drmic dishes on husband Anthony Drmic, Tasmania JackJumpers forward
Where did we meet?
We met in 2011 at university at Boise State in the freshman athlete dorms – I was a soccer player and he was, obviously, playing basketball.
Do you remember your first date?
Oh my god, how can I forget? We went to dinner, and I pronounced gnocchi ‘guh-notch-ee’ and he still, to this day, mocks me for it.
Who fell first?
Oh Anthony. He started testing the waters and saying ‘love ya’ for a long time and it would go unanswered for ages. Then finally I reciprocated!
What would he be doing if he wasn’t a professional basketballer?
He would ride his mountain bike all day or play video games. Likely some combination of the two.
Does he do chores around the house?
He does! The bins are his main job, but he also contributes a lot in washing (two kids …. Lots of washing), dishes and can cook a divine steak dinner.
Does he cook and, if so, what is his speciality?
I would say his steak, but he would also say his scrambled eggs.
Does he have a favourite meal you cook for him?
Probably popcorn chicken with honey mustard sauce. But he likes most of my cooking – except I’m not allowed to cook ribs ever again.
Is he romantic?
You might not think so but yes, he is.
Does he have a hidden talent?
He can make a pretty impressive Magnatile tower.
What’s the last present he got you?
A Garmin watch for my birthday
What’s his favourite movie?
Karate Kid.
What would be his go-to karaoke song?
Around the World probably, unfortunately.
What is his mood like after a loss?
Honestly, a lot better now than it was early in his career. I think once you have kids you have to let things slide off your back because you come home and they want you to build DUPLO with them or play more basketball, even if it’s the last thing you want to be doing.
Do you ever give him feedback after a game?
Oh god no – I barely remember what the name of his position is on the court, I am in no place to give feedback. I’m just there to be a supporter, he has enough coaches.
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