Basketball coach brings experience, passion

Will Johnston

International insight is what returning Taranaki Mountainairs coach Trent Adam will bring during next year’s national basketball league.

Adam was named to coach the Mountainairs last week and replaces Doug Courtney, who led the team in the improvised NBL Showdown in Auckland this year.

Adam has long been involved in the Mountaineers coaching team and was last part of the team in 2018.

This time around, he will bring overseas experience and ideas to the Mountainairs, who return to a home-and-away competition next season.

During the lockdown, Adam was able to spend time on coaching courses and study the game in depth.

“I’ve been able to do more research, to dig deep into styles and play that’s happening internationally and where the game is heading,” he said.

He then brought those experiences into age-group basketballers and found an interest in seeing how quickly he can implement these new styles to high-end players.

“The more research I did, I got a really good base understanding how to implement the system and where it’s headed. So, dealing with higher-end athletes, we’ll be able to see how quickly we can bring along a system like that.”

During the Showdown, Adams kept tabs on the Mountainairs’ progress and how players developed individually.

Until the start of the season, Adam will recruit his coaching team and playing roster.
 
With what is always a contentious issue around bringing players in from outside the region, Adam said he would look at local players but bring outsiders in where necessary.

Adam will be a fulltime coach, which will come with many benefits.

“A fulltime coach is imperative to a team reaching its potential,” he said.

Taranaki Mountainairs chairman Laine Hopkinson said the club was excited to have Adam back on board for next season.

“Trent brings NBL experience and passion to the table, coupled with his proven ability to develop young talent which will be vital for us going forward.”

Hopkinson said the club’s goal was to attract Kiwi talent to live, work and play in the region.

“Trent is the ideal coach to bring this all together for the Airs. What we need now is great community support to elevate this team and give Trent a real shot at success.”

Photo by: John Velvin