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.

Melbourne entered NBL23 after finishing the previous regular season first with a 20-8 record before losing the deciding semifinal against Tasmania with captain Chris Goulding injured. Jo Lual-Acuil (to China) departed during the off-season, while contracted starters Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) and Jack White (to Denver) secured NBA opportunities close to tip-off, leaving coach Dean Vickerman scrambling for replacements after most available players had already signed. Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline were added, while David Barlow returned after announcing his retirement.

Things worsened when Next Star Ariel Hukporti ruptured his Achilles during the NBL Blitz and was ruled out for the season. The injury left Melbourne with only one recognised centre returning from serious knee problems, forcing veteran forwards and Caroline to spend time playing out of position. United started 5-6, while Caroline (5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across 6 games) struggled to establish himself as an undersized centre before a hamstring injury sidelined him.

Melbourne mutually released Caroline and signed Marcus Lee (via Manresa) for the remainder of the season on November 16. Caroline (to Manresa) joined Lee’s former Spanish club BAXI Manresa the following day, although Manresa maintained the two transactions were separate. The signing reunited the former Kentucky centre with Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 23 games), who had spent two college seasons alongside him, while United viewed its new import as a replacement for the rim protection, mobility and ability to run the floor lost through Hukporti’s injury. “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,” Vickerman said.

He made his NBL debut against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on November 19, finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in almost 17 minutes as Melbourne lost 84-69. Tucker (22 points and 3 rebounds) and Goulding (15 points and 5 rebounds) led United, while Mitch Creek (23 points and 9 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s best.

Lee (8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 17 games) quickly gave Melbourne the size and interior defence it had been missing, leading United in rebounds and blocks while making 65-of-96 field-goal attempts. Only Humphries averaged more blocks across the NBL, while their reunion allowed Melbourne to retain a genuine centre when Humphries missed games through COVID and later suffered another knee injury.

After losing his first four games with Melbourne, Lee’s first victory came against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on December 10, where he made 7-of-9 shots and finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal as United ended a five-game losing streak with a 104-88 win. Tucker (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Goulding (20 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Melbourne score 33 points during the fourth quarter, while Nathan Sobey (24 points and 4 rebounds) led Brisbane, beginning United’s 10-3 finish to the season.

Lee (2 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) also appeared in Australia’s first professional sporting fixture played on Christmas Day, where Tucker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Humphries (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) led an undermanned Melbourne side missing Goulding through illness. Xavier Cooks (24 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney to a 101-80 victory before 7,012 fans at Qudos Bank Arena, with more than 300,000 viewers watching the historic fixture.

Lee’s best game came against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on January 7, where he made 11-of-13 shots and finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 4 blocks after Humphries (2 points) suffered a knee injury during the first quarter. Goulding (23 points) and Shea Ili (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists) helped Melbourne defeat the JackJumpers 92-85, while Milton Doyle (20 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s leading scorer.

Tucker (18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Goulding (17.1 points across 27 games) led Melbourne offensively, while Rathan-Mayes (14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games), Ili (8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 14 games) and Mason Peatling (5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) were the other major contributors alongside Humphries. Goulding earned an All-NBL Second Team selection and received Melbourne’s Most Valuable Player award, while the midseason import was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. Humphries also publicly came out as gay during the season, with Melbourne helping introduce the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

Melbourne entered its final game needing to defeat Adelaide and rely on Perth either losing to Sydney or winning by fewer than 11 points. Lee (8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) helped United defeat the 36ers 116-107 before 10,175 fans at John Cain Arena, while Antonius Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. Perth then defeated Sydney 96-84 to claim sixth place on points percentage, leaving Melbourne seventh with a 15-13 record.

After the season, Lee signed a one-year import deal with Tasmania for NBL24.

2023/24
Tasmania returned from a 16-12 campaign that had ended with a deciding Playoff loss to New Zealand, with Scott Roth retaining much of his established core while changing several pieces around captain Clint Steindl. Sam McDaniel (to Brisbane), Isaac White (to Brisbane) and Matt Kenyon (to South East Melbourne) departed, while Jarrad Weeks and Josh Magette retired and Rashard Kelly (to Lithuania) was not retained. Roth added Anthony Drmic (via Adelaide), Junior Madut (via South East Melbourne), Tre Armstrong (via California Baptist), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), Jordon Crawford (via Puerto Rico) and Majok Deng (via Cairns), while Jack McVeigh, Milton Doyle, Sean MacDonald, Fabijan Krslovic and Will Magnay returned.

Lee signed a one-year deal on June 22 after spending the second half of NBL23 with Melbourne United and then joining Pallacanestro Reggiana in Italy. 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.” Lee had been determined to remain in the NBL after his first season in Australia and said after signing, “There’s no better fit for me right now than here.”

Tasmania opened the season at RAC Arena on September 29, where Lee (9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) started strongly in his JackJumpers debut, but Perth won 101-95. McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Doyle (18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led Tasmania, while Jordan Usher (35 points and 3 rebounds) produced the highest-scoring Wildcats debut in club history.

Lee (6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds across 34 games) started 32 times and formed Tasmania’s centre rotation with Magnay (10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 27 games), finishing second on the team in blocks and third in rebounding.

Lee’s best all-round game came against New Zealand on January 1, where Lee (14 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 block) made 7-of-9 from the field and produced his only double-double of the season. MacDonald (23 points and 3 assists) and McVeigh (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Tasmania’s scoring, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright (27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was New Zealand’s best as the Breakers won 98-93.

His highest-scoring regular-season game came five days later against Cairns, where Lee (16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) made 7-of-10 from the field as Tasmania defeated the Taipans 103-86. Doyle (31 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and MacDonald (12 points and 1 steal) provided the main support, while Tahjere McCall (20 points, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns.

An ankle injury to Deng (7.5 points across 26 games) on Christmas Day eventually led Tasmania to sign Tom Vodanovich (1.2 points across 9 games) for the remainder of the season, while Lachlan Barker (1.3 points across 11 games) was elevated as a nominated replacement player.

Tasmania finished the regular season with four consecutive wins, closing against Perth on February 17 as Lee (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played 15 minutes in an 86-72 victory. Doyle (24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and McVeigh (20 points and 10 rebounds) led the JackJumpers, while Alexandre Sarr (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) was Perth’s best as Tasmania secured third place with a 16-12 record.

McVeigh (17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds across 37 games) led Tasmania in scoring, followed by Crawford (16.1 points and 3.2 assists across 37 games) and Doyle (15.7 points, 5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 36 games), while MacDonald (8 points across 37 games) developed into one of the league’s strongest bench guards. McVeigh and Doyle were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, MacDonald was named NBL Most Improved Player and McVeigh won the JackJumpers MVP, while Doyle was voted Fan Favourite and Magnay received the club’s Defensive Player and Players’ Awards.

Tasmania opened the postseason against Illawarra in the Seeding Qualifier, but Lee (0 points in 0:22) collided with Sam Froling after just 22 seconds and immediately left the game with what was initially feared to be a serious shoulder injury. McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals), Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Crawford (20 points) led Tasmania to a 92-76 win, while Gary Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Tyler Harvey (15 points) were Illawarra’s best. The injury was later diagnosed as a pinched nerve in Lee’s neck and he recovered in time for the Playoff series against Perth.

Lee returned for game one at RAC Arena and Lee (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) made 8-of-10 from the field in one of his most productive games of the season, with Crawford (19 points and 3 assists) and McVeigh (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) also contributing. Keanu Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Bryce Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth to an 89-81 win. Late in the fourth quarter Lee was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Jordan Usher, with the incident later upgraded to Unduly Rough Play and assessed as intentional, medium impact and high contact. Tasmania accepted an early guilty plea, reducing a two-game penalty to one game and ruling Lee out of game two.

Without Lee, Tasmania returned home and recovered from a double-figure deficit to defeat Perth 102-94 in game two. Doyle (24 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal), McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) led the JackJumpers, while Cotton (26 points and 3 steals) and Kristian Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) were Perth’s best as Tasmania forced a deciding game.

Lee (8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) returned from suspension off the bench for game three at RAC Arena, with McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Magnay (18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) leading Tasmania to a 100-84 win. Cotton (21 points) and Hyrum Harris (13 points and 3 assists) led Perth as the JackJumpers won the series 2-1 and advanced to the Championship Series.

Melbourne opened the Championship Series at John Cain Arena with a 104-81 win, with Lee (2 points and 3 rebounds) playing 12 minutes off the bench. Drmic (18 points and 1 steal), Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) and McVeigh (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Tasmania, while Chris Goulding (22 points), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Ian Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) powered United.

Lee celebrated his 50th NBL game when the series moved to Hobart, with Lee (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks) returning to the starting lineup and helping Tasmania overturn a 15-point deficit to win 82-77. McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and MacDonald (13 points) helped the JackJumpers level the series, while Shea Ili (20 points), Goulding (19 points and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Lee (3 points and 2 rebounds) started but suffered a left knee injury following an accidental collision with Crawford late in the third quarter and had to be helped from the floor. McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Deng (15 points and 1 block) and Doyle (14 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals) kept Tasmania close, while Matthew Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Goulding (17 points) and Luke Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led United. McVeigh made a long three-pointer at the buzzer to give Tasmania a 93-91 win and a 2-1 series lead, but Lee’s knee injury ended his season and ruled him out of the final two games.

With Lee sidelined, Melbourne forced a deciding game by winning 88-86 in Hobart. McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals), Doyle (14 points and 6 rebounds), Crawford (14 points) and MacDonald (14 points) led Tasmania, while Clark (18 points and 1 block), Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (17 points) led United before McVeigh’s long attempt at another game-winner missed at the buzzer.

Lee remained sidelined for game five at John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds) scored 27 points in the first half before McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Tasmania complete an 83-81 victory. Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points and 6 rebounds), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists), Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (13 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne before Dellavedova’s final three-point attempt missed, giving Tasmania a 3-2 series victory and the first NBL championship in club history. McVeigh was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy as Championship Series MVP.

At the season’s close, the JackJumpers decided not to re-sign Lee, with Magnay returning and the club choosing not to use an import position on another centre. 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

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2025/26
After finishing last with an 8-21 record in NBL25, Cairns initially parted ways with Adam Forde before reappointing him as head coach in June. Leading scorers Rob Edwards (to Xinjiang), Taran Armstrong (to Golden State), Tanner Groves (to Nagasaki), Pedro Bradshaw (to Rostock) and Akoldah Gak (to Mexico City) exited, while Sam Waardenburg, Kyrin Galloway, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyle Adnam and Kody Stattmann returned. Forde added Jack McVeigh (via Houston), Admiral Schofield (via Lyon), Reyne Smith (via Louisville), Mawot Mag (via BYU) and Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), with Lee signing a one-year deal after winning the NBL24 championship with Tasmania and reaching the NBL25 Championship Series with Melbourne. Ashton Hagans (via Xinjiang) was initially signed before his deal fell through, with Andrew Andrews (via Vilnius) replacing him before the season.

Cairns opened the season at John Cain Arena on September 20, where Lee (10 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) delivered a double-double, but South East Melbourne defeated the Taipans 114-77. Smith (19 points and 6 rebounds) and McVeigh (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) carried the scoring for Cairns, while John Brown III (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals) led a balanced Phoenix performance.

Lee (6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks across 33 games) was one of only two Taipans to appear in every game and carried a larger frontcourt role while Waardenburg remained sidelined, providing rim protection and finishing around the basket across 11 starts and 22 appearances from the bench.

Lee’s best scoring game came against Adelaide at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 2, where he finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, but the 36ers won 110-79 behind Cotton (28 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals), with Schofield (19 points and 4 rebounds) and Andrews (10 points and 7 assists) Cairns’ other main contributors.

His strongest all-round performance came against his former team on October 24, when Lee (8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) returned to the starting lineup as Melbourne defeated Cairns 94-67 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Andrews (13 points and 5 assists) and Smith (13 points) led the Taipans, while Goulding (14 points) was United’s top scorer as Cairns played without McVeigh and Waardenburg.

Lee (9 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks) produced his biggest late-game moment in Bendigo on January 7, blocking a shot at the rim before making the winning free throw with seven seconds remaining as Cairns defeated Melbourne 93-92, with McVeigh (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Waardenburg (20 points and 9 rebounds) leading the Taipans while Goulding (27 points) was United’s best.

McVeigh (21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4 assists across 29 games) carried the offence and earned All-NBL Second Team, club MVP and Members’ Choice MVP honours, while Andrews (14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 31 games) was named Players’ Player. Waardenburg (15.5 points and 5.4 rebounds across 8 games) was limited by injury, while Mojave King (via New Zealand) joined as an injury replacement in October. King (11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 22 games), Smith (9.9 points across 14 games), Schofield (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Galloway (7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds across 33 games), Stattmann (6.6 points across 23 games) and Higgins-Titsha (6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 9 games) were the other main contributors, with Galloway earning the club’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Cairns used 14 starting lineups as injuries removed Waardenburg, Higgins-Titsha, Smith and others for long stretches, but the Taipans finished ninth with a 9-24 record and missed the postseason. Their season ended at Eventfinda Stadium on February 19, where New Zealand won 115-84 behind Mennenga (32 points and 9 rebounds), with Andrews (24 points and 7 assists) and Stattmann (20 points and 5 rebounds) Cairns’ leading scorers as Lee (2 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) played 18:35 minutes in the loss.

Marcus Lee currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 110 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 6.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists since entering the league in 2022.