For the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats men’s team, this weekend’s King’s Birthday break provides an opportunity to recharge the batteries in anticipation of a gruelling finish to the NBL1 season.
However, United assistant coach Brent Reid isn’t enjoying a break, instead plying his coaching trade on the Greek island of Crete as he takes charge of the Australian team at the Deaf Basketball World Championships.
“I’m super excited. We have competed in a tournament since 2017 for various reasons,” Reid, who has been in charge of the team for eight years, said.
“The team’s in the best position we’ve ever been in. We’ve got the best staff we’ve ever had.
“The team’s trained their guts out for the last year, and we’re ready to go.”
The Goannas, ranked 11th in the world, fly out on Friday night.
Pool games start on Tuesday, with Reid’s roster to face fourth-ranked Venezuela, host nation Greece (9th) and China (eq.16th).
It will be the Goannas’ first tournament since 2017, with Reid confident of contending for a medal.
Players to watch during the World Championships include NSW big man Lachlan Jackson, rookie guard Tyler Ferres, who plays Big V Youth League with McKinnon, athletic Victorian Sam Cartledge, and Queensland shooter Morgan Williams.
“We’ve got a well-balanced team,” Reid, who joined Geelong United with new coach Grant Wallace this year, said.
“The highest we’ve been is fifth in the world, so we’re hoping we go and regain a few spots on the world rankings.
“I honestly believe our best basketball is as good as anybody in the world.
“Our defence is elite, and our offence, when it clicks, it clicks really nicely.”
Not surprisingly, Reid says coaching a team with varying levels of hearing impairment comes with challenges.
All members of the roster have a cochlear implant or wear hearing aids. However, no hearing devices can be worn while on the court.
“It changes the dynamic a little bit,” Reid said.
“But, I honestly believe it’s made me more patient as a coach because you have to calm down; you have to be clear and concise as a coach when you’re communicating.
“It’s funny as a coach because you find yourself coaching at dead balls, and that’s it. Then, you’re just like a spectator on the rollercoaster.
“It’s a different brand of basketball to be coaching, but it’s also quite enjoyable.”
To help with communication, Auslan interpreter Mikey Webb travels with the team.
“You create a pretty awesome bond and trust with… I do my job, and he does his job, and it all clicks together and works,” Reid said.
“That’s a relationship you have to build and work on.
“There are these little idiosyncracies to the whole thing.”
Click here for more details on Deaf Basketball Australia.
