United coax veteran big out of NBL retirement

Melbourne United have taken their first step to replenishing their depleted big-man stocks ahead of NBL25, signing veteran center Rob Loe to a one-year deal.

Loe initially retired from the NBL following the Breakers’ run to the Championship Series in NBL23, but he signed on with United as an injury replacement player following a wrist injury suffered by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr during the NBL24 pre-season.

The 32-year-old went on to appear eight times for Melbourne last season and averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

He is currently playing for NZNBL side Auckland Tuatara.

Head coach Dean Vickerman says bringing Loe back into the fold for NBL25 was a high priority for the club.

"In the time that he spent with us to start the season, we thought he was elite in so many areas,” Vickerman said.

“His IQ, his defensive ability to play within our structure and our system, and the ability to be a motion-maker and a decision-maker with his shooting ability."

Loe said it was an easy decision to return to Melbourne following his experiences with the club last season.

“I enjoyed my time with United so much, my teammates were great, the organisation was great, the coaching staff were great, so when Dean and the team reached out to me about NBL25, I just got really excited,” he explained.

“The buzz around the team while I was here within the community was just huge, which makes playing so much fun. Melbourne has always been one of my favourite places to play, it’s one of the sporting capitals of the world, so getting to play there again is awesome.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and join the team again.”

Loe joins Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova, Shea Ili, Luke Travers, Kyle Bowen, Flynn Cameron and Tanner Krebs as contracted players for the NBL25 season.