One of Australian basketball’s greatest hoops minds, David Barlow, will join Melbourne United’s coaching staff for the NBL24 season.
Barlow’s professional playing career has spanned a total of 20 years and has seen him named an NBL champion five times – including twice with Melbourne – in addition to an extensive overseas resume and international career with the Boomers.
He has suited up for the second-most games in United's history, with 227 appearances to date.
The 39-year-old has already made his first foray into coaching as a player/coach for NBL1 South side Sandringham, for the past two seasons -- where the Sabres will take on the Knox Raiders in the Grand Final this weekend.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Barlow said.
“I’m looking forward to a new challenge, but with the same goal of helping the team win a Championship this year and moving forward, and doing everything in my power to achieve that. I’m thankful to be able to continue to do that, albeit in a somewhat different capacity.
“Being an older player the last few years my approach to the game became more similar to perhaps the way a coach would see things, so I’m stoked to have this opportunity.”
Having transitioned into a coaching role just one season after playing, Barlow has stepped onto the court with most of Melbourne’s NBL24 roster in some capacity.
He believes those experiences will help him in his new role at the club.
“I’ve been in the heat of battle with these guys, and there’s a certain relationship that you form with people you’ve been in the heat of battle with that can’t be replicated in any other way,” he said. “While my role has changed, at the end of the day I can look at them and they can look at me when things are required to achieve our goals as a team.
“Everybody's journey is different. What I’ve done over my career is very helpful to what I’m doing now from my perspective.
“I’m really happy and lucky to be in this environment where we have a bunch of brilliant people who I enjoy spending time with.
Barlow has joined Rhys Carter and Jacob Chance as assistant coaches under Dean Vickerman for the upcoming season.
Barlow will coach Ben Ayre and Campbell Blogg in the NBL1 South Grand Final on Saturday from 8pm AEST, available live and free via Kayo Freebies.
