After Patty Mills quit the Melbourne Tigers to accept a deal in China with the Xianjiang Flying Tigers, head coach Trevor Gleeson vowed that the Tigers would "explore every door" and CEO Seamus McPeake said that the team would enquire with Australians playing in Europe to see if they're "happy" as the Tigers searched the globe for a replacement player.

But one player who hasn't heard anything from the Tigers is David Barlow.

According to Barlow, who is currently playing with UCAM Murcia in Spain, he has not had direct contact with the Tigers.

"I haven't heard from the Tigers," said Barlow, speaking exclusively to BackPageLead. "Not sure if they contacted my agent, but not as far as I know."

Barlow previously played with the Tigers through the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons, winning an NBL championship with the club in 2008.

A member of the Australian Boomers, Barlow left the Tigers and ventured to play in Spain. Playing as an import, Barlow joined CAI Zaragoza and led the team to the 2010 Division 2 championship and promotion into the ACB. The ACB is recognised as the best basketball league in the world outside the NBA.

For the 2011/12 season, Barlow joined UCAM Murcia and his new team is fighting to avoid relegation after a slow start.

"We are struggling a bit on the court at the moment," noted Barlow, as UCAM Murcia dropped to 3-9 for the season after falling to Lucentum, 63-62, over the weekend. "But we have played a lot of the top teams and the season is still young. We have a talented team so I think we can turn it around.''

In 12 games this season, Barlow is averaging 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting at 37% from behind the three-point line, as he bounces back from a quiet start to the season: "I had a slow start to the season, then have had a good run recently, but have had foul trouble the last two games which has been frustrating."

Despite his proven ability to mix it with the best on the world stage, Barlow is not about to take his spot on the Australian roster for granted or risk losing his current contract by exploring NBA options.

Barlow adamant that he won't be seeking a contract or a spot in an NBA training camp, "I'm not looking for an invite, I mean, I'm in season with a team that I'm contracted to. You can't just leave.

"I have never been offered a contract in the NBA. I have also never actively pursued one by going over there and going to summer league/training camp pretty much because I have never wanted to lose a job opportunity that will actually pay me for a slim chance at the NBA.

"I have also always given the Australian team priority in the off-season."