Fun fact: Oscar Berry has a basketball background. Yep, new Melbourne Category B rookie Oscar Berry is set to get the Scott Pendlebury treatment, after making the transition from basketball to the AFL ahead of the 2026 season.
Berry has officially joined the Demons after a four-year stint in the NCAA, first with Fairleigh Dickinson University followed by three years at North Florida, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The 23-year-old played 116 games in the college basketball ranks, averaging 4.5 points per game, but now joins Melbourne as a potential key defender with his impressive 194cm frame.
Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb expressed optimism at Berry's chances at growing into a legitimate footballer.
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“We had Oscar down for a trial earlier this year and were really impressed. He’s got great athleticism and aerial craft, and strong potential to develop into a key defender for us," Lamb told the club's website.
“We think Oscar will be a fantastic addition to our mix and look forward to him joining us next month.”
Berry is Melbourne-born, and has a junior football background having played until under-16s, before deciding to pursue basketball full-time.
He becomes another player Melbourne are hoping could grow into a regular member of the side as they enter a rebuilding phase, with the club owning two first-round picks in next month's draft.