Gatlin re-signs to chase ring in 2024

GEELONG United captain Demarcus Gatlin has his sights set on leading the club to its first NBL1 championship in 2024.

The 2019 NBL1 South MVP has declared “the jobs not finished” and put pen to paper on a new deal for the upcoming season.

The Houston native is coming off a stellar season where he averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.

He was a finalist in the NBL1 South Defensive Player of the Year award and also took home the Geelong United MVP award.

Gatlin said he was looking forward to a big pre-season heading into Grant Wallace’s second year in charge.

“I definitely didn’t want to leave Geelong not reaching the playoffs.

“We proved at times during the 2023 season that our best basketball was as good as anyone in the competition.

“However, we need to find consistency with our effort, both on and off the floor.

“From a personal standpoint, I want to prove that I can return to playing at my 2019 level.”

Gatlin, who has played 137 games, said he never expected to be still wearing a Geelong jersey in 2024, when he arrived in 2016.

“Being more and more involved in the community every day makes it hard to leave.

“Geelong has been really good to me, and I would like to pay them back with a championship.”

Geelong United general manager of pathways, Megan Moody said the club was thrilled to have Gatlin signed on for season 2024.

“He has been a key contributor to Geelong United’s success on and off the court for many seasons and will be an integral part of our program as we work towards a successful 2024 season.

“Not only will DeMarcus be leading our Geelong United NBL1 men, but he has also been appointed as the head coach of our under-12 Victorian Junior Basketball League boys first team, which is amazing for that generation to have an athlete of DeMarcus’s calibre teaching and leading them.”