Lucas appointed Geelong United WNBL coach

GEELONG United Basketball (GUB) has announced its inaugural WNBL coach in former Melbourne Boomers coach Chris Lucas, to a two-year contract earlier today (Wednesday, May 29).

A new and exciting challenge lies ahead for Lucas, who takes control of the new franchise in its first season at the top flight since 1986.

“I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I’m very excited, and very appreciative to CEO Mark Neeld and the Board for giving me this opportunity,” Lucas said following his appointment.

Lucas has been at the top of coaching circles in Australian basketball for more decades, being a strong advocate for women’s sport.

He also has a strong track record in the WNBL, coaching Townsville to back-to-back WNBL championships from 2014-2016 and was appointed as assistant coach of the Australian Opals, which won a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in Spain.

In recent years, Lucas has coached WNBL teams to successive finals campaigns, something which he hopes to continue here in Geelong.

“The expectations of every coach in the league is to make finals, and mine is no different,” he said.

“We’re hoping to put an extremely competitive group together that will hopefully put us in a position to make finals.”

Geelong United Basketball CEO Mark Neeld is excited by Lucas’ appointment.

“Our values at GUB are United, Inclusive, Professional, and Integrity – and as our first WNBL coach, Chris aligns with those values perfectly,” Neeld said.

“We had early conversations with each other once this opportunity to join the WNBL presented itself, and we really saw his passion for the players and the WNBL product as a whole. We’re in very good hands with Chris at the helm.”

Next up for Lucas will be navigating the free agency period, which begins on June 10.

He will need to build the side’s roster from scratch ahead of the 2024-25 season later this year.

“This is the hardest part of the year, recruitment and free agency,” Lucas said.

“I want to make sure we create a terrific balance in the team, covering all positions on the floor with a blend of experience and youth.

“Traditionally my teams play an up tempo style, and that blend of experience and youth will bring some real excitement to the group.”

The WNBL season is expected to start in early November.