Faith on the Edge: Adam Forde’s Taipans Fight to Keep Belief Alive — but Stars Must Step Up
November 5, 2025
Marcus Lee
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 14/09/94
- Place of Birth: Antioch, California (USA)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 208
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Kentucky University (2014-2017) / University of California (2017-2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 19/11/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 8/02/25
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 30
- NBL History: Melbourne 2023, 2025 | Tasmania 2024 | Cairns 2026
- Championships: 1
- Tasmania (2024)
BIO: Marcus Lee was born in Antioch, California (USA) where he attended Deer Valley High School.
As a high school junior, he averaged 13.9 points, 13.1 rebounds, 9.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. During his senior year he averaged 17.7 points, 19.5 rebounds, and 6.7 blocks per game and led Deer Valley to the 2013 CIF North Coast Sectionals to defeat De La Salle High School from Concord, California.
Lee was a consensus top 20 player in the high school class of 2013 according to various recruiting services. He played in the 2013 McDonald’s All American and Jordan Brand Classic games and was named 3rd team USA Today and first-team Parade All-American.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Marcus Lee made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 28 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
Marcus Lee, with an impressive 7’3 wingspan, was college teammates with Isaac Humphries at Kentucky University. Upon joining Melbourne United, head coach Dean Vickerman expressed high hopes for Lee’s contribution to the team.
“Marcus is a 6’10 rim protector in his prime, bringing defensive agility and the floor speed we needed, similar to what Ariel would have provided,” Vickerman shared.
Lee, standing 6’11, was a powerful presence around the rim during his time with Melbourne United in the latter half of the NBL23 season, posting averages of nearly 8 rebounds and 9 points per game.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2023/24
Upon signing Lee, Tasmania JackJumpers Co-CEO Jorrick Chivers welcomed the addition with enthusiasm, saying, “We’re thrilled to have Marcus join the JackJumpers. He’s an intelligent, athletic big who adds size and strength to our frontcourt.”
Chivers continued, “We believe Marcus will integrate seamlessly into our team and make an immediate impact. His paint protection and ability to facilitate offense are crucial, and his basketball IQ is top-tier among league players. He was one of the most efficient scorers with United, shooting over 65%, and we’re excited to see what he brings this season.”
Throughout NBL24, Lee played 34 games, starting in 32, and ranked second on the team in blocks and third in rebounds, providing essential backup to Will Magnay. However, Lee’s season was disrupted by a series of injuries and a suspension. He sustained a shoulder injury during the seeding qualifier, was suspended in the second game of the semi-finals series, and later suffered a season-ending knee injury in the grand final series.
At the season’s close, the JackJumpers decided not to re-sign Lee due to Magnay’s return and the strategic choice not to allocate an import spot to a backup center.
Head coach Scott Roth praised Lee’s time with the club, saying, “Marcus was a fantastic presence here—well-liked by everyone in the club and the fans. He brought energy and was a valuable asset on the court for us.”
MELBOURNE UNITED
2024/25
Melbourne reshaped their frontcourt after Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (to China), Luke Travers (to Cleveland Cavaliers), Ariel Hukporti (to New York Knicks), and Brad Newley (retired) departed the group that had come within one win of a championship the year prior.
Jack White (via Denver Nuggets) returned to cover Travers’ versatility, while import centre Marcus Lee (via Tasmania) was recruited to replace Lual-Acuil’s interior presence and rim protection in Dean Vickerman’s new-look rotation.
With Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova, Shea Ili, Ian Clark, Robert Loe, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs, and Kyle Bowen returning, Lee’s role centred on screen setting, hard rolls, and protecting the rim behind Melbourne’s pressure defence at the point of attack.
United began the season at HoopsFest with an 88–79 win over Tasmania as Dellavedova (21 points) led the scoring, White (14 points, and 7 rebounds) and Ili (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped set the tempo, and Lee (8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) worked himself into the rotation.
Lee’s shot blocking showed up quickly against South East Melbourne when he posted (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks), then followed it with (5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks) against Illawarra as Melbourne used his length to erase mistakes around the basket.
Against Brisbane, Melbourne won 120–103 behind Robert Loe’s 30-point outburst and White’s (17 points, and 17 rebounds), with Lee delivering a high-impact defensive shift in limited minutes with (6 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) across 11 minutes.
Lee’s most productive scoring night came against Tasmania on December 23 as he finished with (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), giving United efficient offence to go with the rim protection that underpinned their defensive identity.
Lee (8 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) made his first start against Cairns on Boxing Day, and produced another big game against Perth on January 22 when United beat the Wildcats 99–93. Lee (8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks) combined with White (26 points, and 16 rebounds) to control the paint at both ends. Just before finals, Lee (6 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) helped Melbourne edge Tasmania 94–92 on February 1, finishing with as United tightened up defensively late and stayed locked into a top-two finish.
Across the regular season, Lee (6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks across 26 games) gave United a constant rim protection presence and a reliable target as a screen-and-dive big.
Melbourne’s offence still ran through Goulding (18.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 25 games), White (13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 27 games), Ili (11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 26 games), Dellavedova (10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across 27 games), Loe (10 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 assists across 29 games), and Clark (12.7 points across 28 games) as United finished second at 19–10 and earned a semi-final series against Perth.
Melbourne opened the semi-final series with a 105–93 win as Goulding (41 points) and Clark (22 points) drove the offence, White (13 points, and 10 rebounds) controlled the glass, and Lee added (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks), while Keanu Pinder (24 points) led Perth in defeat.
Perth levelled the match-up in Game 2 with a 96–89 win as Dylan Windler (27 points, and 11 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (18 points), and Kristian Doolittle (17 points, and 9 rebounds) swung momentum, while Melbourne’s response featured Dellavedova (13 points, and 12 assists), White (13 points, and 6 rebounds), Goulding (15 points), and Lee (8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks).
Game 3 went to the wire and Melbourne advanced with a 113–112 win as Clark (38 points) and Goulding (30 points) carried the scoring, with White (15 points, and 9 rebounds) and Dellavedova (10 points, and 11 assists) helping steady the finish as Lee (4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) battled against Perth’s late push led by Cotton (29 points) and Windler (25 points, and 10 rebounds).
In the Championship Series against Illawarra, Melbourne overturned a 10-point half-time deficit in Game 1 to win 96–88 as Dellavedova (18 points), Goulding (15 points), and Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) powered the second half, while Sam Froling (16 points), Will Hickey (14 points), and Todd Blanchfield (13 points) led the Hawks in defeat.
Illawarra squared the series in Game 2 with a 102–100 win as Tyler Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points), and Trey Kell (18 points) kept the Hawks on the front foot, while Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points), and Dellavedova (14 points) kept United within one possession and Lee added (8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block).
Melbourne moved within one win of the title in Game 3 with an 83–77 victory behind White (20 points), Dellavedova (16 points), Clark (16 points), Goulding (14 points), and Lee (8 points, and 8 rebounds). Hyunjung Lee (12 points), Will Hickey (12 points), and Darius Days (11 points) led Illawarra.
Illawarra extended the series in Game 4 with an 80–71 win as Hickey (22 points), Lachlan Olbrich (13 points), and Tyler Harvey (12 points) carried the Hawks, while Goulding (17 points), Dellavedova (17 points), Clark (16 points), and Lee (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne in defeat.
Game 5 decided the championship and Illawarra closed the series with a 114–104 win as Kell (26 points), Hickey (21 points), and Harvey (16 points) led the Hawks to their second NBL championship, while Goulding (21 points), Ili (20 points), White (17 points, and 7 rebounds), and Lee (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were among Melbourne’s main contributors as United finished NBL25 runners-up after dropping the series 3–2.
Marcus Lee was a dunking machine in NBL25 💥
What will he bring to the @CairnsTaipans in NBL26? 👀 pic.twitter.com/fRjWq8NF5z
— NBL (@NBL) August 17, 2025
Marcus Lee currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 100 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists since entering the league in 2022.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Cairns Taipans – 1 Year Deal (2025-26)
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 31 | Cairns | 6-17 (9) | 23 | 332.6 | 175 | 127 | 29 | 80 | 47 | 10 | 25 | 27 | 60 | 72 | 120 | 60% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 31 | 59 | 53% | 59% | 60% | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 30 | Melbourne | 19-10 (2) | 26 | 520.2 | 175 | 143 | 25 | 95 | 48 | 13 | 44 | 19 | 67 | 74 | 124 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 27 | 49 | 55% | 59% | 60% | 14 |
| 2023-24 | 29 | Tasmania | 16-12 (3) | 34 | 526.3 | 207 | 182 | 39 | 69 | 113 | 16 | 28 | 37 | 98 | 89 | 139 | 64% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 29 | 52 | 56% | 63% | 64% | 16 |
| 2022-23 | 28 | Melbourne | 15-13 (7) | 17 | 403.1 | 150 | 128 | 23 | 47 | 81 | 13 | 27 | 13 | 60 | 65 | 96 | 68% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 20 | 36 | 56% | 66% | 68% | 22 | Totals | 100 | 1782 | 707 | 580 | 116 | 291 | 289 | 52 | 124 | 96 | 285 | 300 | 479 | 62.6% | 0 | 5 | 0.0% | 107 | 196 | 54.6% | 63% | 63% | 22 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 31 | Cairns | 6-17 (9) | 23 | 14.5 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 60% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 1.3 | 2.6 | 53% | 59% | 60% | 18 |
| 2024-25 | 30 | Melbourne | 19-10 (2) | 26 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 60% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.9 | 55% | 59% | 60% | 14 |
| 2023-24 | 29 | Tasmania | 16-12 (3) | 34 | 15.5 | 6.1 | 5.4 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 64% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.9 | 1.5 | 56% | 63% | 64% | 16 |
| 2022-23 | 28 | Melbourne | 15-13 (7) | 17 | 23.7 | 8.8 | 7.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 5.6 | 68% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 1.2 | 2.1 | 56% | 66% | 68% | 22 | Total | 100 | 17.8 | 7.1 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 4.8 | 62.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.1 | 54.6% | 63% | 63% | 22 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 22 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Lee played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League and spent preseason with the Miami Heat. He subsequently joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League for the 2018–19 season.
In 19 games, he averaged 8.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 73.3 percent from the field.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Italy - Vanoli Cremona (2020–2021), Semt77 Yalovaspor (2021–2022) | Puerto Rico - Leones de Ponce (2022) | Italy - Manresa (2022) | Spain - Pallacanestro Reggiana (2023) | Poland - King Wilki Morskie Szczecin (2025)
Played in Italy, Turkey, Puerto Rico and Spain. After short preseason stints with Aris Thessaloniki in Greece and Bnei Herzliya in Israel, Lee re-joined the Skyforce for the 2019–20 season. He averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 blocks per game in 2019–20.
On August 9, 2020, Lee signed with Vanoli Cremona of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) for the 2020–21 season.
On July 2, 2021, Lee signed with Semt77 Yalovaspor of the Turkish Basketball Super League and then following the 2021–22 season, he joined Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico for the 2022 BSN season.
On July 30, 2022, Lee signed with Baxi Manresa of the Liga ACB. Mid-season, he left Manresa and signed with Melbourne United, where he finished the remainder of the 2022/23 NBL season.
During the NBL off-season, he played he signed with Pallacanestro Reggiana of the Lega Basket Serie A.
After NBL25, Lee played with King Szczecin in the Polish league. There, he led the team to the playoffs but lost 1-3 to Trefl.
COLLEGE
Marcus Lee committed to the University of Kentucky on October 18, 2012, and was part of Kentucky’s celebrated 2013 recruiting class, joining Julius Randle, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, James Young, and Dakari Johnson as one of six UK signees selected to the 2013 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, while also being selected for the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic.
Lee played three seasons at Kentucky from 2013–14 to 2015–16, appearing in 100 games and becoming known for his defensive activity around the rim while working through a frontcourt rotation that included Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson, as well as fellow Australian big man Isaac Humphries during his Kentucky tenure.
He opened his Kentucky career with a breakout debut on November 8, 2013, scoring 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting against UNC Asheville, and he also scored 10 points against UT Arlington on November 19, 2013, before his minutes fluctuated through the remainder of his freshman season.
In the 2014 NCAA Tournament, Lee produced his most memorable Kentucky performance after Cauley-Stein was injured, stepping up against Michigan with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 15 minutes, a performance that earned him Midwest Region NCAA All-Tournament Team recognition alongside Aaron Harrison and Most Outstanding Player Julius Randle, with Kentucky’s tournament run ending in the national championship game loss to Connecticut.
Lee returned for his sophomore season in 2014–15 on a frontcourt that included Cauley-Stein, Johnson, Alex Poythress, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, and Derek Willis, and he appeared in 39 games as Kentucky completed its 38–1 season and reached the Final Four.
During his junior season in 2015–16, Lee recorded career highs in multiple categories, led Kentucky with a career-best 6.0 rebounds per game, and shot a team-best 68 percent from the field, which Cal later noted as the best single-season field goal percentage in Kentucky history, while also leading the Wildcats in rebounding a team-best 13 times and posting his first collegiate double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against No. 5 Duke.
Away from the box score at Kentucky, Lee was a two-time SEC Community Service Team selection, a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, an Allstate Good Works Team nominee, and he represented the SEC at the 2016 NCAA Leadership Forum before transferring to the University of California.
Lee transferred to California in 2016, redshirted during the 2016–17 season, and then started all 32 games in his final collegiate season in 2017–18, averaging 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and recording seven double-doubles for the Golden Bears.
His 2017–18 season at Cal included 52 blocked shots, which ranked eighth among the school’s single-season record holders, and he was also named a Senior CLASS Award Top 30 Candidate during his one season in Berkeley.
Across that year, Lee posted multiple headline performances, including career-high 23-point games against Arizona State and Saint Mary’s, a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double at USC, a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double against UCLA, a 21-point, 11-rebound game against Cal Poly, and a career-best five assists alongside a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double against Wofford, while also debuting for Cal with eight points and 10 rebounds in the season opener against UC Riverside.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2013)
- McDonald's All-American (2013)
- First-team Parade All-American (2013)
Related
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