Melbourne Reunites Friendly Bigs

On the surface Melbourne United's signing of new import centre Marcus Lee has seen them plug a gap on the roster. Dive a bit deeper though, and Lee's close relationship with Isaac Humphries has been revealed as a key aspect in making Lee's transition into the side easier.

Lee and Humphries played together at the University of Kentucky for two years, where they formed a tight-knit bond.

“We have the same best friend group, so we were constantly together and now we’re going to be constantly together here which is great,” Lee said.

“It made it easy to come to a team like this where I actually know quite a bit of the players and we’re able to gel a lot faster.

“I think I've found my role pretty quickly, probably one of the quickest I've ever found in a team.”

Coach Dean Vickerman spoke highly of his new import and how quickly he has embraced Melbourne’s philosophy.

“[He's a] great person," Vickerman said. "We knew the culture fit was going to be outstanding. His basketball IQ, the ability to be able to pick everything is outstanding.

“Him and Isaac having a relationship to start with is good for those two in the way that they support each other in the five.”

Lee has been one of my people to express his solidarity with Humphries' following the latter's announcement that he is gay - an announcement that has received global praise.

“He’s opened the door for so many guys and women to be comfortable with their teammates, the people that they’re supposed to be most comfortable with, so I think it’s a huge thing, and I hope that it brings more to come,” Lee said.

While Lee has already made his first appearance in a United uniform - he played almost 17 minutes in their Throwdown loss to South East Melbourne - he's looking forward to the challenge the Tasmania JackJumpers present his new side present.

He says he's more focused on feeling out the on-court vibe with his new teammates than anything any opposition side can do to hurt United.

“I’m very excited to see how they play and how we play after this week of really battling and figuring each other out,” he said.

“Our biggest goal wasn’t really trying to figure out Tasmania it’s more figuring out ourselves and how we fit together.”