United coach overseeing national development

As he heads into his 10th year as part of the Australian National Under 17’s program, Melbourne United Assistant Coach Justin Schueller says seeing the growth of the players who have come through the program has been special. 

Schueller has coached United stars like Jack White and Callum Dalton across his time with the Crocodiles, as well as having gone up against some of the world’s best competition.  

“My first campaign with the Crocs, our World Championships were in Dubai… We ended up winning a silver medal in that tournament after going down to the USA in the final by seven points.

“Their most notable player was Jayson Taytum, but we had guys like Jack White, Dejan Vasilevic, Isaac Humphries, Harry Froling, and Kouat Noi.

“Seeing all those guys progress from really talented young juniors who you know had the ability to go onto bigger and better things.

“In our second group we had Sam Froling, Callum Dalton and Sean McDonald, so again you see those guys from where they started to where they are now has been special. Beyond that there have been lots of guys who have come through the program and showcase what they can do in the NBL like Tamuri Wigness, Luke Travers and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.”

Having seen so many great athletes as part of the Crocs program, Schueller said the players bound for the highest level usually stand out quickly.

“There’s a lot of learning though our national team program at an Under 17 level. Those that are diligent with the detail and have the ability to take information on and act on it straight away have generally been the athletes that have progressed to bigger and better things.

“All the names I’ve already mentioned have absolutely ticked that box. The way those kids were going about it is really similar to a pro mentality, we as coaches just have to guide them from our experiences, and seeing that growth is the most pleasing part of the job.”

Schueller will be hoping to secure some more silverware in the coming weeks, with the U17 Asia Cup set to start on June 12, before the FIBA U17 World Cup begins in Malaga, Spain on July 2.

To see Schueller helping the coaching alongside Dean Vickerman again, secure your NBL23 membership today!

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