Jack Fleming joins United as Assistant Coach

Melbourne United is thrilled to announce that Jack Fleming is set to join Dean Vickerman’s staff as an Assistant Coach.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Fleming comes to United following four years on the bench with the Tasmania JackJumpers, where he won a Championship in NBL24.

Speaking to Melbourne United Media, Fleming touched on his excitement to join the organisation.

“I think Melbourne United is the gold standard in terms of how they run their basketball program, but also in their professionalism in how they operate off the floor,” Fleming explained.

“To have the opportunity to contribute to this club and hopefully help with the future and our roster for NBL26 is really exciting.

“I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with Dean during his time with the Boomers last year and when this presented itself as another chance to work with him again, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Fleming has had a busy offseason, having recently helped the Australian Gems to a Silver Medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup serving as an Assistant Coach.

Now looking ahead to NBL26, his anticipation to work alongside United’s stars is through the roof.

“From my standpoint, it’s going to be a lot more fun sitting on the same bench as Chris Goulding and Shea Ili, rather than being on the other side,” he said. 

“They’re two of the league’s best players and pose such a challenge as a coach. Getting to coach them, along with the rest of our really talented roster, is going to be a lot of fun.”

Outgoing Assistant Coach Jacob Chance, who worked alongside Fleming for two years at Tasmania, gave some insight into the quality of coach United are getting to replace him.

“It's awesome for Jack and his partner Alyssa, who me and Bree became pretty close with, to see him come into this club,” Chance said.

“I know his strengths as a young leader in the way he communicates with guys, his own curiosity about the game and about things in general, and how that will really fit into the skillsets of our coaches here.

“He's a great young coach. I'm flat that I don't get to work with him a little bit more, but awesome that that's worked out. I know he'll support Deano well, and he'll work great with Rhys and Barlow.”

These sentiments were echoed by Dean Vickerman, who touched on Fleming’s strengths as a coach.

“Having had the opportunity to work with Jack previously, I think he’s a fantastic fit for what we’re wanting to achieve at Melbourne United,” Vickerman said.

“He has a sharp basketball mind and a really strong attention to detail, which is everything you want from your assistants. On top of that, he’s a great person; someone you want to have behind you throughout the ups and downs of the NBL season.

“I have a lot of respect for what he was able to achieve in Tasmania, and am really excited about having him back home in Melbourne for NBL26.”

Fleming will join United’s bench starting from our first preseason matchup on Thursday 21 August against the Cairns Taipans at Casey Basketball Stadium.

Tickets are available by clicking here.