David BARLOW, 28, will continue to play for UCAM Murcia next season after signing a two-year contract extension with an option on the second year.
Last season Barlow averaged a respectable 8.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg through 34 games in Spanish League where fellow Australian Boomers Joe Ingles (FC Barcelona) and Brad Newley (Valencia Basket) also currently play.
David Barlow signed with UCAM Murcia after declining a lucrative offer to play in the Russian league. The decision to remain in Murcia, Spain was an easy one given the fact that Barlow’s wife gave birth to their first child, a baby boy named Java last month.
The president of UCAM Murcia, Luis Carabante announced his pleasure at resigning Barlow for the next two years. The team had been waiting patiently to hear from Barlow regarding next season after telling them he did not want to commit to any team until after the Olympics.
UCAM confirmed that Barlow was a huge part of last year’s team and his ability to rebound, run the floor and be a danger from behind the three-point line was a huge part of their success.
UCAM Murcia now must await the decision of Ime Udoka, who played for the San Antonio Spurs, who also has been offered a two year by the club. Udoka in a similar fashion to Barlow, has stated he wishes to focus on his Olympic campaign with Nigeria before signing with any team.
Barlow, who last season started out playing small forward, before eventually playing at the power forward spot, spent two years with CAI Zaragoza in the LEB Oro league, a second division league in Spain where he won the LEB Gold title a year ago before signing with UCAM Murcia in the Spanish Premier Basketball league, the ACB.
David Barlow won four NBL Championships (2003/04, 2004/05 with Sydney Kings; and 2007/08 with Melbourne Tigers) during his time in the NBL. He played in 161 NBL games and averaged 11.5 ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2 apg before heading to play in Europe.
The Australian Olympic team face a number of international opponents in coming weeks before taking the court on July 26th against South American Powerhouse Brazil in first game of the 2012 London Olympics.
Boomers European Pre-London Schedule
17 July – Boomers vs. Spain – 8:40PM Spanish time (4:40AM AEST) – Granada, Spain
18 July – Boomers vs. Spain – 8:40PM Spanish time (4:40AM AEST) – Malaga, Spain
22 July – Boomers vs. Brazil – 7:30PM French time (3:30PM AEST) – Strasbourg, France
23 July – Boomers vs. France – 7:30PM French time (3:30PM AEST) – Strasbourg, France
David Barlow has 29 points against the Adelaide 36ers despite being knocked out the night before against the Perth Wildcats.