NBA Champion and Gael Alumnus Matthew Dellavedova to Serve As Saint Mary’s 2026 Commencement Speaker
From standout scholar‑athlete to international competitor, the Gaels basketball legend will bring his Saint Mary’s story full circle when he addresses the Class of 2026.
Matthew Dellavedova ’13—one of the most decorated student‑athletes in Saint Mary’s College history—will return to Moraga this spring as the 2026 Commencement speaker.
Affectionately known as “Delly,” the NBA champion, Olympic medalist, and current guard for Australia’s Sydney Kings will address graduates at both ceremonies: the Graduate and Professional Studies Commencement on Thursday, May 21 (6–8 p.m.), and the Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 22 (11 a.m.–1 p.m.). Each ceremony will take place in Saint Mary’s Stadium.
“Saint Mary’s is honored to welcome Matthew Dellavedova back to campus to celebrate the Class of 2026,” said SMC President Roger J. Thompson. “His unique combination of athletic excellence, academic achievement, leadership, and global experience will offer graduates an inspiring message as they step into the next chapter of their lives.”
A Gael Story That Started Half a World Away
Raised in Maryborough, Victoria, Dellavedova cut his basketball teeth with the Maryborough Blazers and Bendigo Braves before earning a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). In 2009, he captained Australia’s U19 national team to a fourth‑place finish at the World Championships in New Zealand—experience that helped launch a senior national‑team career—and, soon after, a move to Moraga.
At Saint Mary’s, Dellavedova became a four‑year starter for Coach Randy Bennett, helping lead the Gaels to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2010. As a senior, he famously beat BYU with a 40‑foot buzzer‑beater—the “Dellavedagger”—a snapshot of his late‑game poise.
A Scholar‑Athlete of Distinction
Just as important as his impact on the court was his commitment to excellence in the classroom. Dellavedova graduated in 2013 with a psychology degree and set a standard for academic achievement that still resonates. His academic accolades placed him among the most accomplished scholar-athletes in College history:
- First‑team Academic All‑America (2012) and second‑team (2013)—the first SMC men’s basketball player to earn first‑team honors, and one of the very few Gaels to repeat. He was also a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
- West Coast Conference Mike Gilleran Scholar‑Athlete of the Year (2013), recognizing the conference’s top blend of athletics, academics, and service.
- AP Honorable Mention All‑America in both 2012 and 2013.
He left Moraga as Saint Mary’s all‑time leader in scoring (1,933), assists (778), three‑pointers (288), free‑throw percentage (.860), games played (136), and games started (133)—and in 2014, the College retired his No. 4 jersey.
From Moraga to the World Stage—and Back
Undrafted in 2013, Dellavedova earned a place on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster and contributed to the team’s 2016 NBA Championship run.
He spent more than two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to Cleveland in 2018, then continued his career with Melbourne United (NBL), the Sacramento Kings, and now the Sydney Kings.
With the Australian Boomers, he has represented Australia in multiple major international campaigns, including the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics; the Tokyo 2020 Games, where the team captured a bronze medal, its first Olympic medal in men’s basketball; and, most recently, the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Service, Mentorship, and Community
True to Saint Mary’s Lasallian values, Dellavedova has consistently matched his athletic success with meaningful community engagement.
Dellavedova’s commitment to service began during his college years and has continued throughout his professional career. He volunteered with Special Olympics, donating time at the organization’s basketball clinics, and made numerous visits to local elementary schools to read with young students.
Named Saint Mary’s 2020 Alumnus of the Year, he and his wife Anna Dellavedova (Schroeder) ’13 have supported literacy and vision‑access initiatives—including the “Delly’s Deer” reading program for underserved youth in Milwaukee and Vision Days that provided free screenings and prescription glasses for Milwaukee and Cleveland‑area youth.
Off the court, Dellavedova has expanded his impact into business and athlete development as co-founder of Athletic Ventures, a venture capital firm powered by more than 500 elite athletes investing in world-class companies. He also serves as Vice President of Business Development at Swan Bitcoin, where he focuses on education and long-term financial empowerment.
For all his professional pursuits, he is clear about his highest priority: being a devoted husband to Anna and a present, engaged father to their three children—roles he considers far more meaningful than any title earned in basketball or business.
Dellavedova’s return to Saint Mary’s as Commencement speaker offers the Class of 2026 a powerful example of what it means to lead with humility, purpose, and gratitude—on campus and far beyond it.
