As 'Chance' would have it, Ingles knows Oduro's game

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Melbourne United have signed American big man Josh Oduro as their first import for NBL27.

He fills the position new coach Jacob Chance said in June he needed most.

Chance told NBL colour commentator Brad Rosen his roster needed two perimeter players and a centre. The centre had to "really anchor our defence and hold down that five spot". He named Jesse Edwards returning, or someone replacing him, as the two ways it could go.

Oduro is the replacement.

The 206cm power forward / centre spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-way contract. He played three NBA games and started one.

Coincidently, Oduro played against new United teammmate Joe Ingles in New Orleans' clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.

Most of the past two seasons came with the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans' G League affiliate. Across 87 games he averaged 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 combined blocks and steals.

"Looking at the roster we've put together, positional versatility and the ability for our guys to complement each other was high on the priority list," Chance said.

"Josh is someone that makes everyone better around him.

"He's a high IQ big who can pass, defend at the rim and out on the perimeter, and score from multiple areas on the floor.

"More importantly, he's a great person.

"He's motivated to showcase what he can do in our league, and has already shown great buy-in of our culture and values.

"I think when our fans see how hard he works on every possession, he's going to quickly become very popular inside John Cain Arena."

Character was the first thing Chance raised in June. He got to it before he named a position.

"Not so much just the player, but the person you bring in, the human being," he said then.

"As long as I've been in the NBL, imports can really make or break your season.

"I've been really lucky to bring in great imports throughout my time in the NBL, so that's priority number one for us: trying to find people who fit the values of our club and our team."

Oduro played five college seasons. Four were at George Mason, one at Providence.

He sits sixth on George Mason's all-time lists for blocked shots and for offensive rebounds. He made the Atlantic 10 Conference First Team twice.

Chance was appointed on a four-year deal in June, after Dean Vickerman left the club for Japan.

Oduro joins Joe Ingles, Luke Travers, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Sam Waardenburg, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald, Malith Machar, Jensen Bradtke and Christian D'Angelo at United.

Two import spots remain. By Chance's own account both are on the perimeter.

"We need someone who can score the ball and help us offensively. Maybe the other perimeter guy offsets that," he said in June.