Ex-Bucks Teammates to Square Off in Melbourne Throwdowns

Friends to foes.

Former Milwaukee Bucks teammates Xavier Munford and Matthew Dellavedova are preparing to square off for arch-rival Melbourne NBL clubs expecting to contend for glory this season.

The pair wore the same colours in the 2017/18 season for the Bucks but will now go head-to-head in a superstar point guard matchup in Australia’s basketball capital, with Munford signing at South East Melbourne Phoenix and Dellavedova committing to Melbourne United.

And although they’re no longer throwing lobs to two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the talented guards could be the key to their respective teams’ championship aspirations.

Munford is set to arrive in Melbourne in the coming month following two weeks of quarantine to run the point for a Phoenix side fresh off a debut finals run and brimming with confidence after the addition of 7’1 Chinese star Zhou Qi.

The 29-year-old American can't wait to duel with ex-teammate and “great guy” Dellavedova.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to play against him, it should be fun,” he said.

“He’s been around for a while; he’s a hard-nosed player who goes out there and competes every chance he gets.”

Given Munford’s impressive history of scoring the ball and running teams, Dellavedova and the rest of the NBL’s marquee guards will need to be at their best against the Phoenix.

In the same season Munford joined Dellavedova for a period at the Bucks, the new Phoenix guard averaged 24.4 points, five rebounds and five assists at their G-League affiliate Wisconsin.

In other G-League campaigns, he’s averaged 20, 18, 18 and 17 points while also recording at least four rebounds and five assists per night.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell recently noted Xavier’s all-round ability and versatility to play multiple positions allowing the likes of Kyle Adnam and Izayah Le’afa to share the floor with him as factors in his signing.

For Munford, he’ll simply do anything to help the team reach their lofty goals.

“They just want me to come in and be myself…I’m going to come in to run the team, play hard and just do my job,” he explained.

“My strength is scoring the ball, but I can get others involved and run a team.

“I just try to make the right play. Whatever the defence is doing, I try to read it and always make the right play whether that means scoring zero points and having 17 assists or scoring 20 points, whatever I can to break down the defence.”

Keifer Sykes showed earlier this year what an eye-catching season running the show at the Phoenix can do for your global stocks, earning a training camp spot at the Indiana Pacers.

Munford, who knows Sykes and spoke to him after his NBL21 campaign down under, admits his fellow American’s success played a role in his decision to play in the NBL for the Phoenix.

“I see the point guards here (in the NBL) and the chance they get to showcase their talents and what they can do, and it leads to great opportunities for them down the line,” he said.

“I’m happy for Keifer. I saw him a little bit over the Summer and talked to him. I’m happy he got the opportunity coming from the NBL, playing for the Phoenix, being in that city, and the welcoming and love he got from the fans.”

Now it’s over to the man known as ‘X’ to deliver down under for the Phoenix.

“I heard all good things and watched some games; the basketball looks fun; the energy looks exciting; the fans love it and I’m excited to get down there.”

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Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (14/09/2021)