Players

He might have had a delayed start to his NBL24 campaign through a wrist injury, but there’s a heap of excitement for the league and Melbourne United that Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is back.

It has been quite the ride for the big man, who has gone from a fringe player, to Best Sixth Man, to genuine match-winning star knocking on the door of an NBA chance.

Born in South Sudan, Lual-Acuil Jr moved to Perth with his family at age six, growing up in WA before attending Neosho County Community College and Baylor University in the USA.

After finishing his college career, he began his professional journey in Israel before returning to Australia and joining Melbourne United for the 2019/20 season. After seeing limited minutes in that first season, the near-seven footer took on a significant role in the championship team of 2021 off the bench, winning the Best Sixth Man award.

His play jumped up to another level in NBL22, where he showcased an impressive ability to score from all over the court while defending the league’s best on the other end.

Now, after spending a season playing in China and Lebanon, ‘JLA’ returns to Melbourne for NBL24, ready to show he remains one of the league’s best.