California

Cleveland Cavaliers Matthew “Delly” Dellavedova Attended St. Mary's College, Still Has Bay Area Fans

You could call him a Bay Area "frenemy."

He’s a Cleveland Cavaliers player that Warriors fans love to hate, one who ironically got his game right here in the East Bay.

His name is Matthew Dellavedova and he attended St. Mary’s College in 2009. His brief foray in Moraga has left him with some fans in California.

A few were at Ricky’s Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro on Tuesday night during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors.

“I normally pull for the Warriors, but I’m pulling for Matt now,” St. Mary’s basketball coach Randy Bennett said during a watch party.

He was taking about “Delly,” the Australian-born Cavalier he once coached, and who was hospitalized during the camp because of cramping.

Bennett said to “have a player at this level, at this stage, playing against the Warriors in our hometown exciting lots of pride.”

Bennett said that Dellavedova is a great player and an even better person.

“He’s a special kid,” Bennett said. “ It’s not just athletics. He is kind.”

Psychology professor Mary True said Dellevedova was a dedicated student who is delivering what he learned in the classroom on the court. The two still keep in touch and trade reading lists.

“I once said he could teach a course on motivation,” she said. “He also knows how to become an expert in 10,000 hours of work. I think he's in the field like that.”

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