Matthew Dellavedova named Australian Finals MVP

Former Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova was named Australian Finals MVP, but not without some controversy.

Dellavedova, 34, plays for the Melbourne United, which lost the Aussie NBL title to the Illawarra Hawks. Because of that, he actually tried to give the Finals MVP to Hawks standout Will “Davo” Hickey.

“Davo, this really belongs to you,” Dellavedova said, via Sporting News. “You had a hell of a series, congratulations on the win.”

Hickey thanked Dellavedova for the gesture, but kindly told Dellavedova to keep the MVP trophy.

INCREDIBLE MOMENT! 🥹

Matthew Dellavedova wins the NBL Finals MVP, but hands it to Will 'Davo' Hickey in a remarkable gesture! 🥇#NBL pic.twitter.com/EBNE2NrtUu

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) March 23, 2025

Dellavedova is one of the most cherished players in Cavs history — known as a hard-working guard who went undrafted out of St. Mary’s and made his living off grit and winning plays. He’ll forever be remembered as the guy who acted as a one-man full-court press on Warriors star Stephen Curry in the 2014-15 NBA Finals. 

A year later, Delly was a member of the Cavs’ 2016 championship-winning team and was a favorite of then-Cavs star LeBron James. 

After leaving for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency after the title, Dellavedova returned to Cleveland from 2019-21, played internationally for a year, then returned to the NBA in 2022-23 for a sting with ex-Cavs coach Mike Brown and the Sacramento Kings.

Delly carries NBA career averages of 5.2 points and 3.5 assists in 479 total games. His best statistical season came in 2016-17 with the Bucks, when he averaged a career-high 7.6 points in 76 games.

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