The incredible legacy of CG43

Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding has made many brilliant buckets in his career, but his impact to the sport of basketball goes far beyond that. (Photo: Melbourne United)

One of the greatest shooters of all time, third in all-time NBL three-pointers with more than 1200, a captain and 3x champion.

He has played more than 450 NBL games and holds the record for the most season three-pointers in the 40-minute era with 140.

The only player to score a three-pointer in 100 consecutive NBL games, he oozes class and seemingly gets better with age.

Yes, we are talking about the one and only Chris Goulding.

He is a proven scorer, a reliable shooter and a player who has created an incredible legacy at Melbourne United … but the legacy expands much further.

While Australian kids now have the likes of Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels to look up to in the NBA, Goulding has had an immeasurable impact on Aussie kids.

He began playing NBL in 2006 for Brisbane Bullets and has been one of the most consistent and reliable Australian basketballers ever seen – he is still producing match-winning performances at 37 years of age.

Maybe it was watching him dominate for the Boomers at the Olympics and win a bronze medal alongside Patty Mills, or watching him make impossible shots for Melbourne Tigers with his hair tied up.

One thing is for certain, GG43 has created many core memories for kids shooting hoops in backyards across the nation – and he continues to do so.

Goulding is third all-time for made three-pointers in the NBL. (Photo: Melbourne United)

Despite an early season quad injury, Goulding remains one of Melbourne United’s most important players, thriving on pressure to make the most contested buckets you’ve ever seen.

When you’re sitting amongst a packed-out John Cain Arena crowd and he gets a screen with even an inch of room, you know how the rest goes.

The hairs stand up on the back of your neck whenever he goes near the rock, and his laconic style of play makes it even more enjoyable.

Even though we have become well-accustomed to his brilliance and know what to expect, he still finds ways to leave you speechless game after game.

Legend is a term thrown around far too frequently in modern day sports, but CG43 is one of the more deserving players of this title.

He has played five games so far this season and has only needed to play more than 20 minutes on one occasion, the most recent against Adelaide 36ers on Sunday.

See some of CG43's best plays of last season above ... 37 years old, and still dominating the league.

Only 99 minutes played in NBL 25/26, 89 points scored and 17 made threes … in five games where he is meant to be easing back into things.

Having Matthew Dellavedova and Ian Clark around him helped Melbourne make the playoffs in recent seasons, but maybe the new mix will be the recipe for success.

This year makes it an entire decade since Goulding pulled on the United jersey … and wouldn’t it be fitting if the fearless leader could taste the ultimate success.

After two straight years of heartbreak, the storyline is set, and it is up to the basketball gods to do their job, and write the script we want to read.