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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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,\u201d Lucas said following his appointment.<\/p>\n
Lucas has been at the top of coaching circles in Australian basketball for more decades, being a strong advocate for women’s sport.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In recent years, Lucas has coached WNBL teams to successive finals campaigns, something which he hopes to continue here in Geelong.<\/p>\n
“The expectations of every coach in the league is to make finals, and mine is no different,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re hoping to put an extremely competitive group together that will hopefully put us in a position to make finals.”<\/p>\n
Geelong United Basketball CEO Mark Neeld is excited by Lucas\u2019 appointment.<\/p>\n
“Our values at GUB are United, Inclusive, Professional, and Integrity – and as our first WNBL coach, Chris aligns with those values perfectly,\u201d Neeld said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.”<\/p>\n
Next up for Lucas will be navigating the free agency period, which begins on June 10.<\/p>\n
He will need to build the side\u2019s roster from scratch ahead of the 2024-25 season later this year.<\/p>\n
“This is the hardest part of the year, recruitment and free agency,” Lucas said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
\u201cTraditionally my teams play an up tempo style, and that blend of experience and youth will bring some real excitement to the group.”<\/p>\n
The WNBL season is expected to start in early November.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n