It is a huge twist in the story of up-and-coming Australian star Jai Fa’ale, who just eight days ago mutually agreed to part ways with the Sydney Kings on a Next Star deal that would have seen him become the 28th member of the program.

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Now, in a huge swoop by a championship contender, Fa’ale is signing a one-year Development Player deal with Melbourne United, keeping the talented guard in his home state of Victoria.

Jai Fa’ale FIBA World Cup #5 (Credit: FIBA)Source: Getty Images

The club has confirmed the deal, with the 18-year-old expected to join the team next week, bringing his talent and youth to a roster filled with veteran leadership that should only benefit a young player still in the early stages of his career.

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Fa’ale, who turned 18 last month, will enter the league already established on the international stage, having helped Australia win gold at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup last month, while also gaining plenty of experience playing against grown men in the NBL1 East.

Jai Fa’ale FIBA World Cup #3 (Credit: FIBA)Source: Getty Images

Despite deciding not to pursue the Next Star program, Fa’ale saw the opportunity with United as a more favourable route to continue his development.

“When this option came up, it was clear that it was the best thing for my development as a basketball player,” Fa’ale said.

“I’m excited to get back home and compete against pros every day. I’m going to be a sponge, take in all the information and lessons I can, and help the team across the course of the season.

“Learning from guys that have had success at the level I want to be at like Cole Anthony and Chris Goulding is going to be huge, and to be able to do that around my family will be pretty special.

Jai Fa’ale FIBA World Cup #4 (Credit: FIBA)Source: Getty Images

“On top of it all, I want to help this team win a Championship. That’s the number one goal at United, and I’m excited to be a part of it.” he said.

Fa’ale’s progression towards becoming a professional basketball player began to gain serious momentum after developing as a talented young guard through the Diamond Valley Eagles VJBL program, before joining Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence ahead of the 2025 NBL1 East season.

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Most recently, Fa’ale played 16 games in the NBL1 East, averaging an impressive 21.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field.

He then carried that form onto the international stage at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.3% from the field throughout the tournament.

Jai Fa’ale FIBA World Cup #2(Credit: FIBA)Source: Getty Images

His performances earned him a place in the tournament’s All-Star Five alongside Australian teammate Yahya Basaran, who was named tournament MVP as the Emus captured their third consecutive U18 Asia Cup gold medal.

United head coach Jacob Chance believes Fa’ale’s ability to score the ball will add another dimension to the club’s young guard depth.

“I think he’s a great young talent that can really score the ball in a bunch of different ways,” Chance said.

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“He just adds to our guard depth that we’re already really happy about with the recent editions of Will (Hynes) and Aussie (Shelley), along with fellow DP Christian D’Angelo.

“So great to have a young Melbourne talent in the program. I think he’s going to take a lot from it and that’s a similar kind of pathway that we had young Joe Foxwell do a couple of years ago and we think it’s a beneficial pathway for both parties.”