‘This is home for me’ says Lee on return to Melbourne

After a year away from Melbourne United, the decision to return to the club he made his debut with in the NBL was an easy one for American big-man Marcus Lee.

While the athletic seven-footer enjoyed success with Tasmania last season, overcoming United in an electric Championship Series, the desire to come back to Melbourne was too strong in the off-season.

Having exited the series in Game 3 following an injury to his MCL, Lee explained on The Extra Pass podcast why United was the only place he wanted to play in NBL25.

“I came back to Melbourne United because this is home for me,” he told Brad Newley and Adam Ballinger. 

“I have friends here, we settled here pretty quickly, the team has always been great for us even during last season.

“A lot of people didn’t realise, Dean (Vickerman) was the first person on the court when I got hurt last season. 

“That was kind of a big point for me and Amber (Lee’s wife) when we were talking it through this season, it was about going somewhere where we felt comfortable and knowing that I had to make a big jump with this new knee that I have. There was no other place that I needed to be.”

Known for his high-flying ability, Lee showed off just how effective he can be on his ‘new knee’ in his first outing of the pre-season, throwing down dunks and rising up for blocks on Saturday night against the SEM Phoenix.

United came away with a one-point win in double-overtime, something that Lee said he and his teammates were very excited about.

“It wasn’t so much about the win, we were just excited to be playing,” he explained.

“Me especially, I was excited to get back on the court, it had been six or seven months. It felt good just to be back playing basketball again.

“(My knee) did well in those 22 minutes, I had a good 12 points and 14 rebounds which is solid for the knee.”

United fans will get their next opportunity to see Lee hit the court this coming Saturday at the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast when they face the Cairns Taipans from 7:30pm. The game will be streamed live on Kayo.

With so much excitement ahead of NBL25, the time is now to lock in your seats to see United’s return to John Cain Arena.

The only way to make sure you don’t miss a second of United basketball during NBL25 is by securing a ticket today, or by standing United with us and becoming a member.

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