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 Since replacing the injured Kyrie Irving, the feisty 24-year-old's
starring role in the NBA Final series has surprised opponents,
pundits and his compatriots Down Under, where basketball is
generally a faint beep on the sporting radar.
But his success has not raised too many eyebrows in Maryborough,
Victoria state, where locals among the population of 8,000 rave
about "Dellie", a dogged talent with an obsessive work ethic who
seemed destined to make his mark in the big-time.
"If you actually know him it's not surprising," David Sutton, the
principal of Dellavedova's local high school, told Reuters by
telephone.
"He had such determination, resilience, ability to focus and work
hard, enormous self-belief and huge competitive drive.
"He's very, very clever, academically, super-smart. He was good at
all things ... I think that's one of the things that's working in
his favor. He actually understands the game at a higher level than
others."
With the NBA playoffs beamed during daylight hours in Australia, the
school's performing arts center has been turned into a screening
room for students to watch games during morning breaks and lunch.
The Cavaliers lead Golden State Warriors 2-1 in the best-of-seven
series and if it goes down to the wire, the school might have to
shift class-times to allow live viewing, said Sutton, who has known
the player since he was at kindergarten.
The Dellavedova family is prominent in town, with the basketballer's
mother Leann and aunt both teachers at Maryborough Educational
Centre.
Dellavedova's father Mark was also a decent basketballer in local
leagues.
DELLAVEDOVA DOME
Like small towns the world over, virtually everyone knows everyone
in Maryborough, where tidy streets and grand public buildings are
typical of the rural centers near Melbourne that boomed in the 19th
century gold rush.
The town is proud of its history of producing top players in the
indigenous football code Australian Rules, which remains the true
sporting obsession for most people in the country's southern states.
But the Dellavedova buzz has taken sporting pride to a new level and
the council will consider a proposal to re-name the local two-court
basketball stadium the "Dellavedova Dome".
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Wendy McIvor, mayor of the Central Goldfields Shire which
incorporates the town, is a family friend and supports the motion
for a player she describes as down-to-earth and with the highest
integrity.
"He's just the same old kid when he comes home," she told Reuters.
"We're so thrilled for him personally, we're thrilled that his hard
work and dedication has got him so far."
Dellavedova brought his Californian college team St. Mary's home
with him one year, causing a stir.
Bringing his Cleveland team mates with the trophy would be the
ultimate honor.
"We would be so excited if LeBron James came and had a game of
basketball in the town," McIvor laughed. "We'd open up the door to
him, don't you worry."
Dellavedova was on an IV drip in hospital to treat severe cramping
after his lion-hearted, 20-point performance in Tuesday's win in
Game Three.
Few in Maryborough have any doubt he will be able to rise to the
occasion for Game Four on Thursday.
"When he gets knocked down he gets back up again. And he keeps
giving more and more," said McIvor.
"We don't want to miss a minute. There's Dellie fever through the
whole community ... Dellie gold from Maryborough."
(Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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