Defending NBL champions Melbourne United have locked in captain and grand-final series star Chris Goulding for a further two seasons.
The sharp-shooter is the club's first off-season signing since winning the title. It comes two days after rivals Sydney had beaten them to the signature of Australia's former NBA No.1 draft pick Andrew Bogut.
Goulding was the face of the NBL last season and eventually lived up to the billing with a huge back end of the season, culminating in finals MVP honours and a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
His is just the fourth signature on United's books in what NBL club bosses are calling an anomaly free-agency period, as most players test the market for the first time since the introduction two years ago of a new salary cap system.
"As our captain, ensuring that Chris remained in Melbourne was always our top priority once we began the free agency process," United boss Vince Crivelli said. "Chris was instrumental in our championship season both on and off the floor.
"The pleasing part of our discussions with him was that he really wanted to remain with the club and had little issue in agreeing to terms. This is not always the case after the on-court success we experienced last season."
Melbourne-born Bogut revealed he was in talks to join his hometown club but, acknowledging what he described as "world-class negotiations", eventually opted to take the Kings' offer.
"Sydney's always been one of our fiercest rivals and it's good that they're getting better as a team," Goulding said.
"They've brought Andrew in and he's going to be a big drawcard so, hopefully, their crowds will skyrocket from this so we can enjoy some great capital city rivalries."
Meanwhile, Cairns have added New Zealand power forward Rob Loe to their growing Taipans squad.
The 211cm talent played at Saint Louis University and joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2014 NBA Summer League before playing in Greece, Belgium and, most recently, with the NBL's New Zealand Breakers.
Australian Associated Press
