Robert Loe

Robert Loe (born 5 August 1991) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for Saint Louis University and represents the New Zealand national team. He holds a British passport which allows him to play as an unrestricted player in Europe.[1]

"Rob Loe" redirects here. For the actor, see Rob Lowe.

Robert Loe
Loe with the Saint Louis Billikens in 2013
No. 2 – Melbourne United
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1991-08-05) 5 August 1991
Leicester, England
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height211 cm (6 ft 11 in)
Listed weight115 kg (254 lb)
Career information
High schoolWestlake Boys
(Auckland, New Zealand)
CollegeSaint Louis (2010–2014)
NBA draft2014: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015KAOD
2015–2016Limburg United
2016–2018New Zealand Breakers
2018–2019Cairns Taipans
2019Wellington Saints
2019–2023New Zealand Breakers
2020Kagawa Five Arrows
2022–2023Auckland Tuatara
2023–presentMelbourne United
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Representing  New Zealand
Men's Basketball
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Gold Coast Team competition

Early life

Born in Leicester, England, Loe grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, where he attended Westlake Boys High School. At Westlake, he helped the team win two national championships and was a Westlake Sportsman of the Year recipient after averaging 19.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 63 percent from the field. He also earned the ASB college sport Sportsman of the Year award in 2009 and the ASB college sport Basketballer of the Year award in 2008 and 2009, while being named Westlake's most outstanding basketball player three years in a row.[2] In April 2010, he was a member of the World Select Team that competed at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.[3]

College career

As a freshman at Saint Louis in 2010–11, Loe averaged 6.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while playing in all but one game for the Billikens. He drew 18 starting assignments and was third on the squad with 20 blocks, the seventh-most by a freshman at SLU.[2][4]

As a sophomore in 2011–12, Loe was one of three Billikens to start every game. He finished third on the squad with 34 made three-pointers, and blocked 17 shots during the season to rank third on the team. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while helping the Billikens reach the 2012 NCAA Tournament.[2][4]

As a junior in 2012–13, Loe was one of three Billikens to start all 35 games. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds, and tied for third on the squad with 29 made three-pointers.[2][4]

As a senior in 2013–14, Loe started all 34 games for the Billikens. He finished third on the team in scoring with 10.3 points, led the team in blocked shots with 41 (the 10th-most in a single season at SLU), and his 88 career blocked shots finished eighth all-time at SLU.[2][4] On 1 February 2014, he scored a career-high 23 points in an 87–81 overtime win over George Mason.[5]

College statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Saint Louis 301817.5.389.337.6063.5.8.5.76.7
2011–12 Saint Louis 343416.3.417.351.6302.9.6.4.55.2
2012–13 Saint Louis 353522.9.419.315.6903.41.2.4.37.0
2013–14 Saint Louis 343427.7.453.306.7535.72.0.91.210.3
Career 13312121.2.423.326.6963.91.2.6.77.3

Professional career

Greece (2014–2015)

After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Loe joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2014 NBA Summer League.[6] On 9 September 2014, he signed with Greek team KAOD for the 2014–15 season.[7] On 7 February 2015, he scored a season-high 22 points in KAOD's win over Rethymno Aegean.[8] In 26 games for KAOD, he averaged 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Belgium (2015–2016)

On 26 July 2015, Loe signed with Belgian club Limburg United for the 2015–16 season.[9] On 17 December 2015, he was ruled out for eight to ten weeks with a knee injury.[10] He returned to action on 4 March 2016 and played out the rest of the season. In 27 games for Limburg, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

New Zealand Breakers (2016–2018)

On 17 June 2016, Loe signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2016–17 NBL season.[11][12] On 2 December 2016, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 95–91 loss to the Illawarra Hawks.[13] In 26 games for the Breakers in 2016–17, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

On 28 March 2017, Loe re-signed with the Breakers for the 2017–18 season.[14][15] On 21 December 2017, he scored a career-high 24 points in a 99–95 win over the Sydney Kings.[16] He appeared in all 30 games for the Breakers in 2017–18, averaging 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Cairns Taipans (2018–2019)

On 24 April 2018, Loe signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans.[17] On 5 April 2019, he was released from the second year of his contract per his request.[18]

New Zealand and Japan (2019–2023)

On 31 March 2019, Loe signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season.[19]

On 7 May 2019, Loe signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers, returning to the club for a second stint.[20] In October 2019, he sustained a skull fracture during a game which required hospitalisation.[21][22] Following the 2019–20 NBL season, Loe joined the Kagawa Five Arrows of the Japanese B.League.[23] However, he cut his stint short after just two games in order to return to the New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

On 16 February 2020, Loe re-signed with the Breakers on a three-year deal.[25][26] On 18 February 2021, he left the team, who were stationed in Australia during the 2020–21 NBL season, to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.[27] He re-joined the team in April for the rest of the season.[28]

Loe had off-season knee surgery in 2021.[29] In January 2022, he played his 100th game for the Breakers, becoming the 16th player in team history to reach the milestone.[30] He fell out of favour with coach Dan Shamir during the 2021–22 season, becoming the squad's third-string centre.[31] On 15 April, just hours after the Breakers parted ways with starting centre Yanni Wetzell, Loe scored a career-high 27 points in an 88–86 loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.[32][33]

Loe played for the Auckland Tuatara in the 2022 New Zealand NBL season[34] and helped them reach the grand final.[35][36]

Loe re-joined the Breakers for the 2022–23 NBL season[37] and helped them reach the grand final series.[38] He re-joined the Tuatara for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.[39] He was named the NZNBL Most Valuable Player, All-Star Five, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Forward, Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre, and rebounding champion.[40]

Melbourne United (2023–present)

After initially retiring from the Australian NBL,[41] Loe signed with Melbourne United on 28 July 2023 as a nominated replacement player for the 2023–24 NBL season.[42]

National team career

Loe competed for the New Zealand junior national team as a 17-year-old at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship held in New Zealand. Although the Junior Tall Blacks struggled to a disappointing 13th-place finish, Loe led the team with 18.8 points and seven rebounds per game.[43]

On the heels of his strong performance at the Under-19 championship, Loe was selected to the senior national team for the first time at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship. At only 18 years of age, Loe was the youngest player in the tournament, and saw action off the bench in both games against Australia.

In June 2012, he was named to the Tall Blacks roster for the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In August 2014, he was named to the Tall Blacks roster for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[44]

After helping lead the Tall Blacks to the 2015 Stanković Cup title, Loe played in the two-game FIBA Oceania Championship series against Australia in mid-August. New Zealand were defeated 2–0 as Loe recorded a total of 10 points over the two games.[45][46]

Personal life

Loe and his American wife Kelly have a son.[47][48]

References
  1. Hinton, Marc (8 September 2014). "Tall Black gets first pro contract". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  2. "Rob Loe Biography". slubillikens.com. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  3. "Tall Black Rob Loe selected for Nike Hoop Summit". Stuff.co.nz. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  4. "Rob Loe Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  5. "No 19 Saint Louis gets past George Mason in OT". ESPN.com. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  6. "Warriors Announce 2014 Summer League Roster & T.V. Schedule". NBA.com. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  7. "Rob Loe signs with KAO Dramas". Sportando.com. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  8. Anderson, Niall (8 February 2015). "22 Points For Loe In Impressive Win". NZhoops.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  9. "Robert Loe signs with Limburg United". Sportando.com. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  10. "ROB LOE NIET INZETBAAR IN KOMENDE DUELS VAN HUBO LIMBURG UNITED". LimburgUnited.be (in Dutch). 17 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  11. "BIG SIGNING AS LOE RETURNS HOME". NZBreakers.co.nz. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  12. Hinton, Marc (17 June 2016). "NZ Breakers confirm Rob Loe homecoming as roster reaches eight for 2016-17 ANBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  13. Hinton, Marc (2 December 2016). "Red-hot Illawarra Hawks roll past Webster-less NZ Breakers". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  14. "BREAKERS ON A HIGH WITH SIGNING OF BIG MAN LOE". NZBreakers.co.nz. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  15. Hinton, Marc (28 March 2017). "Breakers coach gets the Loe-down, re-signs Tall Black big man for next season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  16. Anderson, Niall (21 December 2017). "Basketball: New Zealand Breakers pick up victory over Sydney Kings". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  17. "Taipans Sign Rob Loe to a Two-Year Deal". NBL.com.au. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  18. "Taipans release Rob Loe". Taipans.com. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  19. Hyslop, Liam (31 March 2019). "Tall Black Rob Loe set for NZ NBL debut with Wellington Saints". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  20. "Rob Loe Back with Breakers". NBL.com.au. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  21. Thomas, Jackson (24 October 2019). "NBL: Breakers star Rob Loe in hospital with suspected skull fracture after on-court collision". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  22. Hyslop, Liam (25 October 2019). "New Zealand Breakers forward Rob Loe remains in hospital with skull fracture". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  23. "Tall Black Rob Loe to join former coach Paul Henare in Japan". Stuff.co.nz. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  24. "Coronavirus: Kiwi basketballers Rob Loe, Isaac Fotu head home amid health scare". Stuff.co.nz. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  25. "Delany, Loe Re-Sign with NZ Breakers". NBL.com.au. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  26. "New Zealand Breakers secure Finn Delany and Rob Loe to long-term deals". Stuff.co.nz. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  27. "Rob Loe to Return to New Zealand Tomorrow". nzbreakers.basketball. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  28. Hinton, Marc (9 April 2021). "Rob Loe rejoins NZ Breakers for remainder of NBL season, Tai Webster out injured". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  29. Hinton, Marc (28 April 2022). "Rob Loe looking to bounce back from Breakers woes for Tuatara in New Zealand NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  30. "ROB LOE BECOMES 16TH BREAKERS CENTURION". laceylowdown.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  31. Hinton, Marc (14 February 2022). "Little-used Breakers centre Rob Loe named in Tall Blacks for World Cup qualifiers". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  32. "Adams Helps Keep JackJumpers Alive Despite Loe's Heroics". nbl.com.au. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  33. "Loe's career-best performance for Breakers against JackJumpers". nzbreakers.basketball. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  34. "HISTORIC FIRST SIGNING AS TUATARA CONFIRM ROB LOE". nznbl.basketball. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  35. "TUATARA WINS OVERTIME THRILLER THANKS TO LOE'S HEROICS; GRAND FINALS AWAITS". nznbl.basketball. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  36. "NUGGETS DOWN TUATARA TO CLAIM 2022 SAL'S NBL TITLE". nznbl.basketball. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  37. Hinton, Marc (4 October 2022). "Rob Loe's ankle injury the concern as NZ Breakers return for NBL home opener". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  38. Hinton, Marc (26 February 2023). "The low post: How Rob Loe found joy again on Breakers' run to NBL grand final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  39. "SKIPPER ROB LOE RETURNS TO AUCKLAND TUATARA". tuatarabasketball.com. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  40. "2023 SAL'S NBL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023.
  41. "Rob Loe announces retirement from NBL". nzbreakers.basketball. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  42. "Loe joins United as Nominated Replacement Player". melbourneutd.com.au. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  43. "FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men Player profile – Rob Loe". FIBA.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  44. Hinton, Marc (19 August 2014). "Tall Blacks cut down squad for FIBA World Cup". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  45. "Australia vs New Zealand". FIBALiveStats.com. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  46. "New Zealand vs Australia". FIBALiveStats.com. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  47. Hinton, Marc (14 December 2020). "Breakers catch a break as new dad Rob Loe cleared to join team early in Melbourne". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  48. Rattue, Chris (25 June 2023). "Q and A: Rob Loe on Breakers relationships, Tall Blacks memories and his retirement". nzherald.co.nz. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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