26
Jun
Aussies in the NBA
Dell'Orso, Cluff, Mackinnon keep NBA hopes alive
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Max Mackinnon, Oscar Cluff and Anthony Dell'Orso. Photos: Getty Images.
Undrafted Aussies Cluff, Mackinnon and Dell'Orso earn NBA Summer League opportunities in Las Vegas
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Australians Oscar Cluff, Max Mackinnon and Anthony Dell'Orso were passed over in the 2026 NBA Draft this week but each has been signed ahead of the Summer League in Las Vegas.
Sunshine Coast big man Cluff will play for the Houston Rockets, Mackinnon has signed a 10-day exhibit deal with the Charlotte Hornets and Dell'Orso is reportedly on his way to the Sacramento Kings.
Cluff, 24, and Mackinnon, 22, staked their claims to late second-round consideration in front of NBA scouts at the adidas Eurocamp in Italy earlier this month, while Dell’Orso, 22, worked out with Johnny Furphy’s Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.
Cluff worked out with the Golden State Warriors and Mackinnon with the Portland Trail Blazers. Both players were part of the Next Stars team that swept the Eurocamp tournament 3-0, with Mackinnon named finals MVP.
Dell’Orso transferred from Campbell to Arizona before the start of the 2024-25 NCAA Men’s Division 1 season and developed a reputation as an elite three-point shooter, knocking down 100 threes at 37%, on a national ranked team in a power conference (Big 12).
The 1.98m shooting guard from Melbourne said it was a solid foundation, a catalyst for his draft workouts and a role that could make him an NBA player.
"I think Arizona did a good job getting me prepped for this part of my journey in terms of shooting and playing off the ball,” Dell’Orso said after his workout with the Pacers.
"Obviously the NBA has a bunch of superstars and being able to be a complementary piece to the guys that dribble a lot, and I can kind of space up, create space on the floor and shift defenses.
"That's something I think will always translate."
