Aussies in NBA: Delly's basketball journey hits the silver screen

The Maryborough kid is going Broadway.

Matthew Dellavedova will have a feature film created about his life and basketball career, according to his his Australian manager, Bruce Kaider, and Olgun Uluc of FOX Sports.

https://twitter.com/OlgunUluc/status/800896573655781377

Los Angeles pair Zachary Green and Jason Shuman will produce the film, with Dellavedova and Kaider working as executive producers. Josh Howlett will be the film’s co-producer.

“I am honoured that Bruce, Zachary and Jason think enough about my journey to turn it into a feature film,” Dellavedova said.

“I am thrilled to be working with this incredible group to tell my story to inspire kids around the world to dream big and that hard work and perseverance pays off.”

It is expected the film will be made in the same vein as Hoosiers and Rocky, with Dellavedova’s early challenges growing up in country Victoria, and his improbable path to becoming an NBA champion, being the main storylines.

Dellavedova won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, as his squad came back from a 3-1 lead against the Golden State Warriors. He is also a two-time Olympian with the Australian Boomers.

“Delly’s inspirational story about overcoming the odds is one everyone can relate to,” Kaider said.

“In real-life, it played out just like a movie.”

Dellavedova is now the Milwaukee Bucks’ starting point guard, and Green is eager to document his story.

“Everyone dreams of the one in a million chance of playing in the NBA, but this clue-collar kid actually achieved it,” Green said.

“I am looking forward to bringing his story to the big screen.”

The film is expected to start production in Australian when 2017 rolls around.