Matthew Dellavedova was a fan favorite in Milwaukee Bucks and he might be a favorite of everybody after what he did in his local league.
Matthew Dellavedova, Australia
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Australia guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) saves the ball from going out of bounds against Serbia shooting guard Ognjen Dobric (13) in men’s basketball quarterfinals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The one-time NBA champion, who had his last NBA team in 2023 through Sacramento Kings, is now strutting his stuff in his home country Australia.
His team Melbourne United played in the 2025 finals against llawarra Hawks in a best of five series. The latter won the series after sealing the exciting Game 5, 114-104.
Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee Bucks
Nov 11, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dellavedova’s team won but in a very rare case, he was the one awarded the Finals MVP honors. He averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 6.2 assists in the series. The player was not too happy getting the consolation when he walked up to the stage.
Matthew Dellavedova’s classy moment appreciated
The home fans were not happy either and they let the league hear it as they thought a Hawks players should have gotten it.
Dellavedova, who played for the Bucks from 2016 to 2018, seems to think so, too, as he immediately relinquished the ownership of the award and attempted to hand it to Will Hickey.
“Davo, this really belongs to you. You got one hell of a series,” he said during his speech.
He then thanked his family and teammates for their campaign and doubled down on his first statement that the Finals MVP trophy belongs to Davo.
Fans were in consensus to declare his gesture as one of the classiest ever.
Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) slaps hands with guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) after making a basket as Toronto Raptors guard Demar DeRozan (10) looks on in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Wow.
Matthew Dellavedova was named NBL Finals MVP despite his Melbourne United Club losing the title to the Illawarra Hawks.
However, Dellavedova said Hawks guard Hawks guard Will “Davo” Hickey was more deserving of the award. Delly then walked off stage with his MVP trophy and… pic.twitter.com/GtGLCNtBVY
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 23, 2025
Class act. Delly always been a real one but no one gets to see that
— Guard Up Knicks (@GuardUpKnicks) March 23, 2025
Shout out Matthew Dellavedova.
Don’t know if I have ever seen this before. Legitimately was like I am not accepting this award, you buffoons. And just got up and gave it to another dude.
Puts Hickey in a bit of a weird spot, but good on him.
Awkward, yet respectful. https://t.co/9yj82Wvek6
— Mark Sheldon (@markdsheldon) March 23, 2025
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