"Championship mindset" lured Tall Black to United

He’s been one of the biggest Free Agency signings this off-season, and now Sam Waardenburg has opened up about why he signed with Melbourne United.

During the latest episode of NBL Now, the Tall Blacks international explained that United’s championship pedigree and playing alongside stars Chris Goulding and Shea Ili were a big part of his decision to join the franchise.

“They [Goulding and Ili] are just so experienced, and they’ve kind of seen everything in this League,” Waardenburg said on NBL Now.

“Shea is one of the best defenders in this League. He's proven that year in and year out.

“Then Chris Goulding, he's just such a great shooter, just a great champion, such a great player.

“Being around those guys is really going to be amazing.

“Being able to work on both my offensive and defensive parts of my game, while building that championship mindset as well, [is going to be amazing].

“They've both been big winners in this league, and being around that is going to be really awesome and exciting.”

Former Taipan Waardenburg, who is currently playing with Indios De Mayagüez in Puerto Rico, also believes he can be an asset to a squad that also features Dash Daniels, Fabijan Krslovic and Kyle Bowen, as well as reported signing, Joe Ingles.

“I enjoy being a connector out on the floor, that's a big part of my game,” he said.

“Obviously, I love scoring as well, but being able to get assists and help initiate offence, that's a big part of my game that I enjoy doing.

“I just can't wait to get there, play with them all and pick their brains about how to be a better player out there.

“It's a championship environment that I feel like helps build my game and bring it to the next level.”

Through his 84 NBL games to date, the 27-year-old has career averages of 12 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.