Melbourne United Make Big Import Move

Melbourne United has announced the addition of American big man Marcus Lee for the remainder of the NBL23 season.

The 28-year-old’s signing ends recent speculation surrounding the club’s third import spot, with Jordan Caroline set to depart after six games.  

At 208 centimetres and with a 7’3 wingspan, Lee is a strong vertical athlete and a player who can be valuable at both ends of the court. 

Having spent the past three years playing around the globe, including in the G-League, Italy, Turkey, Puerto Rico and Spain, Lee is thrilled to be coming to Australia and reuniting with former University of Kentucky teammate Isaac Humphries.

“Put simply, Marcus is one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of playing with,” Humphries told the club’s website. 

“He’s a guy that is always willing to go the extra mile for his teammates on the court, whether that’s protecting the rim, attacking the glass, setting great screens or finishing around the hoop.

“I can’t wait to share the court with him again.”

United coach Dean Vickerman said Lee would be a key addition, following the season-ending injury to Ariel Hukporti. 

“Joining a team in the middle of a season, you need to have a great basketball IQ and be a good culture fit, and speaking to Isaac and others, we really believe he (Lee) checks those boxes,” Vickerman said. 

“There’s certainly no question about the energy he’s going to bring to our program. 

“He’s a guy that is in his prime, a 6’10 rim protector who has great defensive mobility and the ability to sprint the floor, which are some of the things that Ariel would have given us.”