AHEAD of the upcoming 2025/26 NBL season, Melbourne United have completed their roster with the signing of Dutch center Jesse Edwards, who will bolster the team’s frontcourt stocks as they look to add another banner to the rafters.

United had already announced some big signings in Milton Doyle, Finn Delany and Dash Daniels in recent months, but needed to add some height to their roster if they were to truly enter the season as one of the heavyweights.

Edwards fits the bill here, standing a towering seven feet tall, making him one of the tallest players in the NBL for the upcoming fixture. Although he does not have a massive impact on the offensive end, his defensive tools will make him one of the best paint protectors in the competition if he can slot into Melbourne’s lineup.

Edwards played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange after a strong junior career in the Netherlands, and steadily improved over his four years with the team, eventually becoming a reliable double-digit scorer as well as shot-blocker, averaging 2.7 per game in his final campaign with the team in an immense defensive showing.

He then transferred to West Virginia to play for the Mountaineers, where he continued to improve his offensive impact, averaging a career-best 15 points per game while shooting 61.3 per cent from the field, becoming a true above the rim threat with his presence around the basket and ability to catch lobs.

After going undrafted in 2024, Edwards signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves just minutes after the second round ended, joining on a two-way contract. He spent most of the season in the G League, but made his NBA debut late in the 2024/25 season, becoming the third player to do so for the fixture.

He will bring shotblocking to United’s frontcourt, making the most of his towering height and immense wingspan to meet players at the rim and send the ball back. He has the chance to be the best paint protector in the rim based on his previous efforts, and could be a game changer for Melbourne.

Although his offensive game can be one-dimensional at times, a guard as crafty as Doyle could unlock some scoring output for Edwards, who thrives most when next to a guard who can throw accurate lobs and put the big man in the right spot.

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman expressed his excitement to round out the roster with such an impactful big man.

“Looking at our final import spot, we wanted to bring in someone that was an elite rim protector, which Jesse has been across his college and pro career so far,” Vickerman said.

“We think he’s got great length, really good timing and elite defensive instincts. He’s also got the mobility to get out and play with pace, which really suits what we’re wanting to do this year.”