Veteran centre Rob Loe has retired from NZ Breakers and Australian NBL, after helping his club to the competition finals last season.
Loe, 31, began his career as a Breakers development player and logged 173 ANBL games, including a season with Cairns Taipans, averaging 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds.
His decision comes after he shot 51 percent from beyond the three-point arc last season, as the Auckland outfit reached the Grand Final series, eventually bowing to Sydney Kings in five games.
Among his six seasons with the Breakers were two exiled across the Tasman during the COVID-19, an absence that took a heavy toll.
"Retiring from the Breakers has not been an easy decision," said Loe. "From the early days as part of the Breakers Academy to now, I have enjoyed a great career and made some lifelong friends.
"What I've learned most about myself over the past few years in particular is how much I value my family, how much I value my wife and my son. Putting myself in a position where I can be with them full time is my priority now."
Loe is currently in Most Valuable Player contention with Auckland Tuatara in the NZ national league, where he is averaging 19.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
"Rob will always have a home with the Breakers," says coach Mody Maor. "I'm extremely pleased and glad his final season as a professional basketballer was one where he played arguably his best basketball and felt valued.
"He competed and contributed to winning."
