VICTORIAN-BORN guard Anthony Dell’Orso spent the first two seasons of his college career at Campbell University, where he had an impressive freshman campaign averaging 12.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The 6’6 Melbourne product shot 32 per cent from three and established himself as a key component of the Fighting Camels squad. 

Last season he took his game to another level, increasing his three-point shooting percentage to 38% on his way to averaging 19.5 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also out up career highs in assists, blocks and steals, while shooting 49 per cent from the field and 81 per cent from the free throw line. This incredible season, coupled with the new NIL rules, allowed Dell’Orso to transfer to a bigger university where more eyes would be on him for the 2024-2025 season.

He joined the Arizona Wildcats in May after withdrawing his name from the NBA draft, looking to prove he can replicate his elite season on the bigger stage. Dell’Orso has been open about his goals to make it to the NBA, and as a taller guard who can shoot the ball at a high clip, he has all the traits to be able to do so.

Dell’Orso’s strengths lie in his shooting, but also his craftiness and off-ball abilities. He is adept at moving on offence and catching opposition defences sleeping, able to cut to the basket or shift his way around off-ball screens to get open around the perimeter.

His size allows him to see over defenders and hit shots that a lot of guards can’t. He is also technically proficient at getting to the free throw line. He averaged five attempts at the charity stripe per game last season, as he proved very skilled at taking contact towards the rim. 

Though he is coming off the bench for the Wildcats so far this season, he has been playing big minutes for head coach Tommy Lloyd’s side and has earned some trust with his shooting numbers, despite a lacklustre first outing against Canisius.

He shot just 20 per cent from beyond the arc that game, and 11 per cent from the field, but it appears he was just blowing the cobwebs out early as he has impressed in Arizona’s two games since to begin the NCAA season, scoring a combined 19 points on 5-13 shooting from the field (4-9 from deep).

In last week’s loss to Wisconsin, Dell’Orso played 23 minutes, the equal fourth-most of any Wildcat. With his ability to space the floor, he should see plenty of court time down the stretch of games this year. 

Led by likely NBA draft prospects KJ Lewis and Motiejus Krivas, the Wildcats are projected to be a real contender in the NCAA tournament, come March. Lewis is a 6’4 guard with expectations of being a first round pick, while Motiejus is a 7’2 rebounding centre out of Lithuania, rated as one of the most talented big men in the draft pool. With these two leading the charge, the addition of Dell’Orso and Arizona’s impressive depth, there is no reason this team can’t be cutting down the nets at the end of March Madness. 

Arizona next do battle with Aussie Tyrese Proctor and Cooper Flagg on Saturday when they take on the Duke Blue Devils, in what should be a fascinating clash between two powerhouse college teams. The Wildcats enter 2-1, while Duke are 3-1, so both sides have form coming into the game. Dell’Orso and Proctor will duel it out to continue their sides’ winning ways.