Pelicans arrive in the "Land Down Under"

VIDEO Q&A: Pelicans arrive in the “Land Down Under,” discuss exhibition games vs. Australian clubs

Thanks everyone for your patience. Um, welcome to this history making event, the NBA NBL Melbourne Series. We, we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we meet on today, the Bunnerong people, and we acknowledge elders past, present, and emerging. We’re thrilled to have the New Orleans Pelicans here today, our guests in Melbourne, uh, represented by coach Willie Green, Zion Williamson. We also have Melbourne United, Dean Vickerman, and Milton Doyle, Southeast Melbourne, Phoenix, Josh King and Jordie Hunter. Before we hear from the players and coaches today, we’re gonna hear from, from some very special people, NBL executive director and owner Larry Kesselman, the Minister for Sport, Steve Demopoulos, and Pelican’s chief executive, uh sorry, chief executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumas, sorry, Joe. After the conclusion of these formalities, we will do some stand-ups out on the main court with the minister and Larry Kesselman if anyone wishes. But first, uh, invite Mr. Larry Kesselman to the stage. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, this is *** super special moment for the sport of basketball in Australia. Uh, for me personally, it’s been 15 years in the making. *** lot of conversations, uh, and *** lot of people involved in, in making this actually come to life. So first of all, I want to thank the NBA, uh, represented here by Michael Maher. I want to thank the Pelicans for making the journey here. Uh, it’s always challenging, but also super exciting to be first. So, uh, we couldn’t be more grateful. We’ve also got *** huge amount of thanks to the Victorian government representative. By Stephen Danopoulos here, uh, who have backed this vision, uh, and have uh helped us bring it to life. Uh, this is not just about the arrival of the Pelicans here, I think it’s the arrival of yet another milestone for the NBL and the sport of basketball. Uh, it’s about the kids, it’s about the fans, it’s about Basketball Australia, it’s about our elite programs. When the events like this happen, the whole ecosystem grows. Uh, the NBA represented here will grow, NBL will grow, the sport will grow. So couldn’t be more proud, couldn’t be more excited for what’s going to come over the next few days. I know that people are excited to hear from others here who are the actual superstars. So thank you again and uh *** huge moment for myself, my family, and the sport of basketball. Thank you. Thank you Larry, Mr. Demopolis. Thank you so much. Uh, I wanted to also acknowledge Larry Kesselman. Uh, we couldn’t do this without talent like this in Australia and happened to be *** Melbourne boy. And I wanna thank, uh, Nicola, all the team at NBL. I want to thank the NBA, Michael Maher, and, uh, Raja Choudhury, who we, uh, without them, this would not have happened either. And the Pelicans, uh, Joe Duma, um, Willie Green, Ian Williamson. And effectively the the Gay Benson, the Benson family and I was lucky enough to be at the training at the facility in New Orleans early this year for another purpose for the NFL, but it was fantastic to see, uh, the home, the home training facility. I want to thank and acknowledge Nina Taylor, my colleague here. Uh, just to say, this is *** historic moment for Australia, but it’s also historic for the NBA to play the first ever match, uh, right on Australian soil. And we know that there’s *** big deal you’ve trusted us with this enterprise. Such *** special, uh, uh, thing, the NBA, to trust us to be able to play it here. And can I tell you, your trust is well placed. Melbourne and Victoria is not just *** sports and major events capital of the country, it is actually the sports and major events capital or one of the global capitals, and it’s definitely the basketball capital of Australia. We have more people playing basketball in Melbourne and Victoria than the rest of Australia. So we are really proud to host you here today, and the Victorian government is very proud to have brought the NBA, the Pelicans to play their first ever match for the first time here for Victorians to enjoy, I can’t wait for the next few days, and I want to thank everybody involved for making this happen. Thanks so much. Thank you, Mr. Demopolis, Joe Dumas. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, first and foremost, uh, I wanna thank Larry, uh, and the NBL for inviting us here. Um. It’s, it’s been *** long journey, but you know our team was looking forward to it. All the guys were excited, the coaches were excited. Uh, the trip really wasn’t that bad. Uh, now last night we were knocked out we were dead tired last night, but, uh, the trip over was really, uh, was *** really good trip, uh, no complaints at all. Everyone since we’ve been here has been. Wonderful to work with, uh, this, this, this facility here is *** great facility for the players to practice. Uh, everything has been done first class since we’ve gotten here. um, I was telling Larry that I’ve done *** lot of traveling with the NBA to Abu Dhabi and all different global games, and, um, Australia has done an excellent job of putting this on for us, so we’re very excited to have happy to be here, looking forward to the two games. Uh, it should be fun and so thank you guys again we really appreciate being here. Thank you, Joe. So we’re gonna open up to questions. We have *** roving mic, so if the journos could just raise your hand and we’ll get the mic to you for questions, and we’ll roll through. Thank you. Um, coach Green’s on, on behalf of Australian fans, thank you for, for coming here, it’s gonna be *** great thrill. Coach, how much can we expect to see your main rotation guys in these two games and so on, what do you got in store for the Australian fans and the guys on court with you? this, um, you know, we’re still working on our rotations right now and how many minutes, but our guys get out there, they’re excited to get on the floor. Um, we’re excited for this opportunity and, um, you know, we want to make the fans proud of, of having *** moment like this. Uh, I’m just excited, you know, basketball has brought, you know, the Pelicans to Australia, and, you know, we’re looking to go out there, compete, and just have *** great time. And as far as what I’m gonna do. If I get *** fast break, I might, I might have fun with it or I might go play. We don’t know. Uh, Zayan and Coach, welcome to Australia, uh, as well. Thanks so much for being here. Uh, one to both of you, what, um, what do you expect, uh, being here in Australia? What would you like to get from the trip? And can you tell us *** bit about the reputation of Australian players you played with some over in the NBA? What is the reputation like over there for, for some of our homegrown talent? Um, two teammates pop up in mind for me when I think of Australia, my college teammate Jack White, and then my former teammate who’s now with the Hawks, Dyson James. Both guys are dogs, competitors and. You know, when I had conversations with them about the culture of basketball over here. You know, similar to the United States, uh, you know, basketball is global and you know the rules I know are *** little bit different from the NBA, but. All the same, uh, I’m just excited. I’m excited to learn the culture on North Dakota, Australia, and it’s just *** blessing to be here. Yeah, I, I, I I go uh Z on that just. You know, the history of, of Australian basketball players. I mean, even going back, uh, Luke Longley, you know, Patty Mills, uh, one of my teammates in New Orleans, David Anderson, I got *** chance to see him here. Tyson, I mean, we can go on and on, but, um, it’s tremendous competition here and because of guys like that and, and the work that you all do, the game is, is, is definitely more global, so we’re grateful for this opportunity. Zion, you, uh, to you, um, you’re about to enter your 7th season. You’ve said that this is the best shape you’ve been in since college, obviously, this year, and can you talk *** little bit as well about the early chemistry with Jordan Paul and what his arrival means for the team? Um, in terms of leadership, uh, role, you know, my teammates and, you know, my coaches, they, they trust me to step into that role, that position as the leader. And as far as my chemistry with Jordan uh. I don’t know if you guys saw the video when we were at the airport, but you know he’s *** good dude, uh, he’s *** competitor, and I think we’re gonna have *** lot of fun on the court. It’s gonna be exciting to watch. I, um, I take it that was the longest flight you’ve been on. How, how was the travel and, you know, touching down in Melbourne sort of 24 hours ago? Are you gonna see much of the city while you’re here? Uh, I have plans on seeing, uh, *** lot of the city, uh, with the free time we have, uh, the flight itself wasn’t that bad. Uh, I was watching an anime called Solo Leveling the whole time, so that kind of kept me occupied. Uh, one for Coach Green, um, the people to your right and to your left are already started their seasons, and you’re just starting your pre-seasons. How do you approach these games in terms of getting something out of it and knowing that these guys are gonna come out really competitive? Yeah, I think it it just goes back down to, you know, continuing to go out compete each and every game. Uh, we, we had some good practice time in New Orleans before we got here we had *** couple days here, uh, since we’ve been in Australia, so, um, again we’ll get to the floor. We, we know these guys have been playing, uh, but we wanna, um, start our games are extremely competitive, sharing the basketball and and really, you know, have *** great time doing that on the floor. Sorry, Zion, one for you as well, um, your former teammate Dyson, his younger brother is now playing for Melbourne Dash. What have you heard about Dash? Have you spoken to Dyson about him and uh are you gonna give him *** little something extra on the court? Uh, no, I haven’t had *** chance to speak to Dyson about him yet, but from the film I saw on him, uh, They’re almost they’re very similar especially defensively. Some of the deflections he’s able to get when he’s defending, uh, it’s simply incredible, uh, stuff that like I used to tell Dyson I’m gonna try to take some of that from his game and try to add it into mine and as my coach said, uh. You know, we look, we’re looking to compete. We respect our opponents and whatever, whatever knowledge we can take away from these games, take back to the NBA we will definitely do. I’ve just got *** question for anyone from the NBL um what do you think this means for Australia and more importantly for for Melbourne? I was *** statesman, um. Yeah, you know, firstly, to, to the NBL and Victorian government, um, to give us the opportunity to, you know, to play this game in, in Melbourne, uh, obviously we’ve, I think this might be ***, *** 6th game for Melbourne United playing NBL, NBA, and so, um, long time to get to 82, but, um, You know, to have this opportunity, and it’s gonna be the best basketball experience for so many of our players and our coaching staff is all from, um, from Victoria. And so just to have the opportunity to play this game. And as, as you get *** little older, the, the first don’t come around as often. And so to be the first game in, um, in our state and in Melbourne, we’re super excited about it. And then, You know, for the basketball itself, just the, you know, the what’s what kids are gonna see, and I’m looking at Joe Dumas and like, I’m, I’m Joe Dumas in the backyard. I’m ***, ***, you know, I’m copying him when I’m, when I’m ***, ***, *** kid, and, uh, I love the bad boys, and, and some people are gonna see these guys and, you know, and want to be them. And I think that’s what basketball’s all about. And so, um, yeah, gonna be an amazing experience for, for everybody involved. Uh, uh, one for Zion and then one for one of the Phoenix guys. Zion, *** lot has been said about the, the shape that you’ve come into camp with. What, what, how does that translate onto the court? What, what does that actually mean for you playing basketball? Uh, it, it means *** lot for my game. Um, I’m able to stay on the court longer. Uh, all my movements are faster and swifter, and I said it *** few times in some of my press conferences in last season. Honestly, it just feels good. I feel good. Like I feel really good. One for Jordy, uh, *** lot was being also said about the fact that this is the first of *** thing. What’s it like to be *** part of that and being able to represent the NBL and your team in *** first for for this country? You don’t have to feel obligated to ask us questions as well. It’s, uh, it’s incredibly exciting. We’re, um, super honored to be *** part of it. There’s so many hoop fans in this country that it’s just exciting for fans and kids to just be *** part of this and have this in their own backyard. It couldn’t, couldn’t imagine it when I was *** kid, so. Um, amazing that we’re *** part of it. I’ve got that many people so excited to try and get to the game. I don’t know if that’s possible, but we’re, um, just the excitement around it has been tangible, so stoked to be *** part of it, boys will be excited. *** question for, for Dean and Josh, how are you gonna go about trying to stop that man in the middle there? I, I guess I’ll, I’ll go first here, um. Now, we have huge, huge respect for, uh, uh, Zion and the entire team. Uh, I don’t think we’re gonna be able to put *** game plan together to necessarily stop him. We’re just gonna kind of try to play our game and, and work on some things that we need to improve upon and, and, uh, and just have fun with it. Hopefully we both teams stay injury free. Yeah. Uh, we may get called for *** legal defense. We may try and build *** wall there somewhere to try and stop him getting to the rim. But, um, no, um, yeah, our guys are looking forward to it, especially the guys that are in scout today. They were talking about matching up on him and, and, you know, how we try and slow him down or contain him in, in any way. So, great challenge. Uh, just one for Willie as well. Is, is the trip here too far to play *** regular season game? Like, could you ever see that happening here, given enough time to prepare, recover and head back? Um, I, I, I don’t think it’s too far at all, but, um, the focus for us is, is they’re extremely grateful to be here, extremely grateful to have this opportunity. Um, this is what basketball is about bringing people together, um, the fans, the kids, uh, big time sports fans getting the opportunity to see, um, you know, two really good games, um, that’s up for, you know, the guys up top to make those decisions, but we’re, we’re excited about this opportunity once again. Uh, just one for Zy and Willy again, here in Australia, we like to rate ourselves against the rest of the world and try and place ourselves. Uh, in terms of the second best league in the world, obviously the NBA is #1, where would you say the NBL sits in, in that conversation, if you, if you know much about our league in terms of where, where we are and, and how we compare? I mean, feel free to say we’re the 2nd best, uh, league in the world. I feel like I’ve been pretty embraced here so I have no problem saying the NBL is the second best. Hey there you go. There you go, NBL. For Coach Green and Zion, um. Have you heard from your former teammates, Dave Anderson, Jack White, even um Zylon playing in Adelaide, have you heard from him maybe with any Australian recommendations while you’re here? That’s *** great question. No, I haven’t heard from those guys. Uh, so if they do see this, please send *** recommendation, send activities to do. Uh, I’m trying to take as much culture from Australia as I can when I go back home. I’ve, I’ve heard from David. um, he recommended *** coffee shop called Loom. So I tried that out yesterday and, um, we’ll, we’ll probably get together I think Thursday night, he and his wife and myself and my wife can go to dinner, so pretty cool. Yeah. Um, for the Phoenix guys again, um, this is going to be broadcast onto the NBA League pass which goes to more than 180 countries. How does that feel knowing, um, I guess the, the, the breadth of where this is going to be shown? Uh, it’s an awesome opportunity. We’re, um, it’s not the same crowd that we always play in front of, but, um, if there’s *** chance for the Phoenix to be on the big stage on, you know, ***, *** great platform like League pass, and that’s an excellent opportunity for our boys to show what they can do. Zion, um, one of your old college teammates, Cam Reddish has headed overseas, um, to Lithuania. Have you had *** chance to speak to him at all, um, and what’s your hopes for him over there? Um, no, I haven’t had *** chance to speak with him yet. Uh, I’ve seen some of the clips, his highlights, um. The main thing I hope he takes away is that I just want him to be happy wherever he’s at NBA, non-NBA. I hope he’s just happy and he gets just gets to have fun with the game of basketball. William’s on, um, obviously not, you know, the most, uh, outstanding season last year. You guys are obviously hoping to bounce back. How confident are you that you can sort of get back up the ladder and back into playoff contention? Uh, we’re extremely confident, um, you know, we, we’ve had *** really good start to. Our summer, um, not just training camp, but it started in the summer already, um, getting competitive guys on the floor, um, getting healthy is important for us and so, you know, just turning the page, turning the page and you know it’s, it’s some excitement in our building and we look forward to building on that. Design for you as well. How important is it to play for *** winner as well? Obviously you signed on for *** couple more years, but playing for *** winning franchise, I assume that’s important for you. That’s been my goal since day one, You know, anybody who’s won, uh, their message and advice to me is, is never easy. So you know, with guys like Pool, Long who have experienced winning the championship, I think that’s just great pieces for us to have on the team, you know, in certain moments they’ll be able to give us advice, words of wisdom on what to look for in certain situations or how to go about it. Sorry Uh, Josh King, uh, this is *** team that has Jose Alvarado, Grand Theft Alvarado, the, I don’t know if you, the Pelicans guys know the way that the Phoenix play, they play up and in, they pick up 94 ft, and if you haven’t seen Josh on the sideline, he’s also very engaged and into it. Do you look at someone like Jose Alvarado as someone who you might want on the Phoenix one day, the way he plays basketball? Uh, have *** lot of respect for Jose ever since he was at Georgia Tech, uh, watched him when he was in high school in New York City, uh. He would definitely fit our style of play and, uh, we’re at least gonna try to throw it out there and see, see what it looks like. Everyone always says you can’t press, uh, in the NBA, but we’re at least gonna try it like once or twice, coach, just to, just to see what it looks like. My assistants tell me not to do it, but we, we’re gonna, we’re gonna try it. There’s our game plan. Mil Milton, what excites you most about this opportunity to play up against these guys and, and do it in Melbourne? Yeah, I think just um the guys that we have we in the league that um. These guys that’s played in the NBA guys trying to get there. This is uh *** global aspect of guys jumping from this league going into the NBA. You see it with all the young guys. So, um, I’m excited for them to get the opportunity, guys like Dash to showcase his talent and put the NBA talent on *** global aspect. That’s, yeah, pretty much it. Coach Green, Zion spoke about being able to play differently because of the shape he’s coming in with. What’s it like for you to be able to coach him and coach Zion at at this level of, of fitness that he’s in, does it change things for you? Uh, you know, he’s been arguably one of the best players, um, in the NBA. Um, his talent is, uh, is, is second to none, um, and so he understands the responsibility that comes with that. He, it’s *** pleasure, uh, to have an opportunity to coach somebody like Zion, um, you know, I, I can do *** lot of different, I can throw *** lot of different concepts on the floor when he’s on when he’s playing, and, um, the biggest thing is, is he, he just wants to continue to build, continue to build, continue to grow, and, um, step on the floor and help our team win as many games as possible. Take one more question. Question for for Zion and for Jordan Hunter. Um, Zion, the Phoenix did *** social media video. What are you gonna do if, uh, Zion’s coming down the lane and different players said they said some of them said they’ll stand there, some of them said they’ll get out the way. Jordan’s *** shot blocker. He said that he’s gonna stand there. Um, is that good advice, or would you stand there? Just try and contest at least and sets. Sorry. I would expect nothing less, uh, you know, watch film on *** lot of these guys. You know, both teams are competitors. The, uh, you know, I know we’re having *** good time joking up here, but I know once we step on the court, both teams, you know, are gonna go at each other, you know, try to make something happen. So if I, if I’m going up the middle of the lane, I don’t expect nobody to move out of the way. Um, quick one for Milton, I hear you’ve got *** little baby on the way. Um, how, how, how is that to know this game’s coming up and you’ve got *** baby so close? Yeah, I’m just taking it day by day, so just waiting to see if there’s nothing I can do about that. Yeah, just, uh, just waiting to see, so hopefully. She stays in there for *** little bit so I can play this game. 3. Thumbs up for that one, OK, just stand there guys, and then we’ll just get uh Larry uh Raj, uh the minister um up the front. Thank you. Uh, Joe Dumas as well, if he’s still in the room. Joe, he’s left, OK. That’s OK. Right, your morning 321. Thank you very much there. And one day Hm.

VIDEO Q&A: Pelicans arrive in the “Land Down Under,” discuss exhibition games vs. Australian clubs

Updated: 10:40 AM CDT Oct 1, 2025

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Australia has seen plenty of its players in the NBA over the years: Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons, Luc Longley, Matthew Dellavedova and Josh Giddey, to name a few. Kyrie Irving was born there as well.And now, an NBA team is going to play Down Under.The New Orleans Pelicans made the nearly 10,000-mile trip this week for a pair of games — first Friday against Melbourne United, then Sunday against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Both of those clubs are from Australia’s top league, the NBL. The Pelicans arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday.There’s a historical aspect, in being the first NBA team to go to Australia, and there’s also a slew of other perks that can bring a team together on such a trip, Pelicans coach Willie Green said. NBA players have competed in Australia before, including on United States teams during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and ahead of the 2019 Basketball World Cup, but this is the first time a franchise has traveled there together.“This is a great bonding opportunity for all of our guys,” Green said. “We’re excited about interacting with the fans in Australia. For many of us, it’s our first time in Australia. They’re super excited. We’re going to really get a good look at our guys, get some dinners together, do some fan engagements and come out of this stronger.”A pair of Hall of Famers, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, planned to appear at the games. An open practice, a fan night, a Junior NBA clinic for 50 Australian kids and more activities are planned, with the Pelicans expected back in New Orleans late Sunday night.“I’ve never been to Australia before, so this is a personal bucket list travel experience,” forward Trey Murphy said. “I get to make this trip with some of my best friends and play basketball. It’s something I love, and I’m really excited about that. This is a game you play as a child, and it’s taking me and my teammates all across the globe.”These games will be Murphy’s first since his 2024-25 season ended prematurely because of injury.“It’s great to be back on the court with my brothers and get this show started,” Murphy said.These games are among eight in international locales during the NBA preseason. Philadelphia and New York play Thursday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Orlando and Miami open their preseasons on Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Denver and Toronto play Monday in Vancouver, and on Oct. 10 and 12, Phoenix and Brooklyn will play in Macao, China — the league’s first time playing in that country since 2019.There are also a number of U.S. cities that don’t have NBA teams hosting preseason games, including San Diego; Palm Desert, California; Oceanside, California; North Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Las Vegas.Talks about the Pelicans’ trip to Melbourne began when Dyson Daniels — an Australian product — was playing for the club. He was traded to Atlanta in the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans in 2024, but the Pelicans saw plenty of value in making the trip to Australia regardless.“Any time we get an opportunity to use the platform that we’ve been blessed to have and impact other people, especially by going to different countries, it’s an honor, really,” Green said. “Credit to the NBA, credit to our organization, all the folks in Australia. Because to put this on, it takes a lot. It just goes to show you the reach of the NBA and how global the game has become. So, we’re grateful to have this opportunity.”

MELBOURNE, VIC —

And now, an NBA team is going to play Down Under.

The New Orleans Pelicans made the nearly 10,000-mile trip this week for a pair of games — first Friday against Melbourne United, then Sunday against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Both of those clubs are from Australia’s top league, the NBL. The Pelicans arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday.

There’s a historical aspect, in being the first NBA team to go to Australia, and there’s also a slew of other perks that can bring a team together on such a trip, Pelicans coach Willie Green said. NBA players have competed in Australia before, including on United States teams during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and ahead of the 2019 Basketball World Cup, but this is the first time a franchise has traveled there together.

“This is a great bonding opportunity for all of our guys,” Green said. “We’re excited about interacting with the fans in Australia. For many of us, it’s our first time in Australia. They’re super excited. We’re going to really get a good look at our guys, get some dinners together, do some fan engagements and come out of this stronger.”

A pair of Hall of Famers, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, planned to appear at the games. An open practice, a fan night, a Junior NBA clinic for 50 Australian kids and more activities are planned, with the Pelicans expected back in New Orleans late Sunday night.

“I’ve never been to Australia before, so this is a personal bucket list travel experience,” forward Trey Murphy said. “I get to make this trip with some of my best friends and play basketball. It’s something I love, and I’m really excited about that. This is a game you play as a child, and it’s taking me and my teammates all across the globe.”

These games will be Murphy’s first since his 2024-25 season ended prematurely because of injury.

“It’s great to be back on the court with my brothers and get this show started,” Murphy said.

These games are among eight in international locales during the NBA preseason. Philadelphia and New York play Thursday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Orlando and Miami open their preseasons on Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Denver and Toronto play Monday in Vancouver, and on Oct. 10 and 12, Phoenix and Brooklyn will play in Macao, China — the league’s first time playing in that country since 2019.

There are also a number of U.S. cities that don’t have NBA teams hosting preseason games, including San Diego; Palm Desert, California; Oceanside, California; North Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Las Vegas.

Talks about the Pelicans’ trip to Melbourne began when Dyson Daniels — an Australian product — was playing for the club. He was traded to Atlanta in the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans in 2024, but the Pelicans saw plenty of value in making the trip to Australia regardless.

“Any time we get an opportunity to use the platform that we’ve been blessed to have and impact other people, especially by going to different countries, it’s an honor, really,” Green said. “Credit to the NBA, credit to our organization, all the folks in Australia. Because to put this on, it takes a lot. It just goes to show you the reach of the NBA and how global the game has become. So, we’re grateful to have this opportunity.”

Pelicans arrive in the “Land Down Under”

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