Introduction
David Barlow (born 22 October 1983) is an Australian professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the National Basketball League (NBL).
Junior career
Born in the Melbourne suburb of Sandringham, Barlow played for the Sandringham Sabres of the Big V from 2001 to 2003. In 2002, Barlow moved to the United States to attend Metro State University. In 2002–03, he played 30 games (13 starts) for the Roadrunners, averaging 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Professional career
Early years in the NBL (2003–2009)
Barlow returned to Australia in 2003 and signed with the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL). He spent four seasons with the Kings and was a member of two championship-winning teams. On 28 November 2006, he was ruled out of the rest of the 2006–07 NBL season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at training the day before. Between 2004 and 2006, Barlow also played in the Waratah League for the Sydney Comets.
In April 2007, Barlow signed with the Melbourne Tigers. He spent two seasons with the Tigers and helped the club win the 2007–08 NBL championship.
Spain (2009–2013)
In August 2009, Barlow parted ways with the Tigers and signed a one-year deal with Spanish club CAI Zaragoza. In 2009–10, he helped Zaragoza win the LEB Oro championship. In May 2010, he re-signed with CAI Zaragoza for the 2010–11 season.
In August 2011, Barlow signed a one-year deal with UCAM Murcia. In July 2012, he re-signed with Murcia on a two-year deal. In July 2013, he parted ways with Murcia.
Poland (2013–2014)
On 9 August 2013, Barlow signed a two-year deal with Polish club Stelmet Zielona Góra. On 14 January 2014, he parted ways with Stelmet.
Melbourne United (2014–present)
On 2 July 2014, Barlow signed a two-year deal with Melbourne United. In 2014–15, he averaged 9.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 25 games. Barlow sat out the entire 2015–16 season with an achilles injury.
On 24 May 2016, Barlow re-signed with Melbourne United for the 2016–17 NBL season. He missed the team's first nine games of the season with a calf injury.
National team career
In 2006, Barlow made his debut for the Australian national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. He went on to make his Olympic debut in Beijing 2008 where the Boomers finished seventh. In 2010, Barlow was part of the Boomers team to contest the World Championships in Turkey where the team placed 10th. Barlow returned to Olympic competition at the London 2012 Games. With Australia losing their opening two preliminary matches to Brazil and Spain, they went on to defeat China, hosts Great Britain and Russia to set up a quarter-final match against the USA. The Boomers went down 119–86 to the eventual gold medallists to finish seventh.
Personal
Barlow and his wife, Tiwi, have one child together.