Former National Basketball League great Lanard Copeland has been appointed coach of the Sunbury Jets’ men.
The Jets announced last week Copeland would take on the role of coaching the division 1 side for next season. He replaces Andrew Summerville.
Copeland, who played almost 500 NBL games and also played in the National Basketball Association, has notched up an extensive coaching record since retiring from playing.
He’s currently an assistant coach to Andrew Gaze at the Sydney Kings.
Copeland said the Jets’ role was perfect for him.
“It’s a good opportunity and time-frame fit with me, and works for them as well,” he said.
“It’s going to fit well for me and hopefully help me develop more skills and help take their program to the next level.
“I think they’re excited for me to come and I’m excited to get involved.”
Copeland said he was quickly learning about the young Jets, who finished eighth this year. He said his experience mentoring young players through school programs would be vital.
“I’ll be trying to instill the skills in a young group and it’s about also having fun,” he said.
He will join the Jets at the end of the NBL season.
Copeland isn’t new to the Big V competition, having coached state championship side Hume City Broncos for two and a half seasons.
He left the Broncos this year because of his commitments with the Sydney Kings.
Copeland is confident of being able to manage his Jets and Kings workload, saying getting the right team behind him at the Jets would be important.
Jets coaching director Kennedy Kereama said it wasn’t every day you could get someone of Copeland’s experience on board.
“We are very pleased to have Lanard committed to our men’s program and believe that he will have a huge impact around the club,” he said.
“We have many young Jets players who all aspire to play in the NBL and NBA, so it makes sense to bring in a guy who knows what it takes to play at that level.
“Lanard is at an exciting stage of his coaching career, working in the NBL with a great coaching staff comprising of Andrew Gaze and Dean Vickerman at Sydney Kings.
“He will be learning a great deal from his experience with them and I’m sure will be hungry to implement some of his learning to our men’s team at Sunbury.”
