Dean Vickerman and Josh Boone have admitted there was “concern” and “doubt” about Boone and championship teammate Casper Ware re-signing with Melbourne United.
The pair announced their commitment to United for the 2018/19 NBL season last night, but coach Vickerman has explained how the negotiations weren’t stress free.
MELBOURNE UNITED RE-SIGN CHAMPIONSHIP DUO
“Definitely concern,” he told SEN’s The Sporting Capital about the re-signings.
“Obviously with Casper going to (NBA) Summer League, you just never know the opportunities that are going to present there.
“With Josh there was always going to be the age, he is starting to get a little bit older, do you look for a newer model and different things like that.
“We want through a whole process but I’m extremely pleased the outcome of that process was we got two great basketball players and two great people back.”
Boone, who led the NBL in rebounding last season at 9.4 per game and was a member of the All-NBL First Team, has described how his age made an influence in his decision-making.
“There was a lot of doubt,” Boone told SEN Breakfast.
“It was a long process but sometimes that’s the way these things go.
“Sometimes they happen very quickly as they did two years ago when I signed very early on and sometimes it goes like this, when it gets to August and you still don’t really know where you’re going.
“A lot of times there’s a factor of age as well, I’m 33, I’m a little bit older so a lot of times I need to wait things out and see where things are going.
“There was always mutual interest between me and Melbourne United. To actually come to an agreement, it just kind of happened.
“I’m glad we get there and I’m happy to be coming back.
“I’m happy that Casper is back, I’m happy we got all the other guys back and we got some really good new players as well.
“I’m looking forward to trying defend this title.”
United kicks off their championship defence on Friday October 12 in Illawarra against the new-look Hawks.
Listen to Josh Boone’s chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below