Renowned player development specialist and former South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL Assistant Coach Lucas Allen joins the WBA as Player & Coach Development Manager.
The Wanneroo Basketball Association is excited to announce the signing of Player & Coach Development Manager Lucas Allen. Lucas has an extensive and elite coaching background ranging from the NBL, Australian Junior National Teams, BigV Championship teams and Basketball Victoria State teams.
Lucas has a long history of developing elite junior players in Victoria and has held positions of Director of Coaching at a number of basketball associations. Lucas has worked with a long list of elite Victorian players such as Dyson Daniels, Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell and Jack White on the men’s side; and Abigail Wehrung, Chloe Bibby and Chantal Horvat on the women. Lucas has coached many current NBA, Boomers and Opals, as well as NBL, WNBL and collegiate athletes.
At Wyndham Basketball Association, he held the position of Coaching Lead where he oversaw player and coach development of a large 10,000 member association. Lucas also held the role of Director of Coaching at the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association.
Lucas served as the Head Coach of Basketball Victoria State teams at the National Championships between 2016 and 2020. This included coaching current NBA star Dyson Daniels. Under his leadership the team won a Silver Medal in 2016.
Lucas’s other experience includes being a technical assistant with Melbourne United in the NBL and with Australian teams at FIBA Oceania qualifying tournaments. He has also coached at the Centre of Excellence in two AUS Development Camps as well as holding the position of Basketball Victoria National Intensive Training Program (NITP) Head Coach.
Wolves CEO Andrew Summerville had this to say on the appointment of Allen:
“When you think player development in Australia there are only a few names that come to mind, and Lucas Allen is one of them. He has worked tirelessly for many years developing more state, collegiate, Australian and professional player than most current coaches. The list of players he has worked with is very impressive and his ability to get players to the next level is second to none. To have someone who has coached in NBL, State and Australian programs working with our juniors is incredible and I cannot wait to see how our players and coaches develop under his leadership.
This is arguably our biggest step forward in the player and coach development space ever. Not many can boast the resume and experience of Lucas, this is big”
On joining the WBA, Lucas had the following to say:
“I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with the junior program at Wanneroo. Being able to work with junior players, and aspiring coaches has always been a passion of mine and to do so at such a strong, proud club is exciting. The pathway looks different for everyone but putting the work in to help athletes and coaches alike strive towards their goals drives me. Whether it is domestic players and coaches aiming to take the next step into WABL, WABL athletes and coaches aspiring to make a State Team, Senior squad, National team or College Scholarship, everyone has a journey they’re on and I look forwards to helping as much as I can. My family and I can’t wait to immerse ourselves into the Wanneroo Basketball community”.
Lucas will be relocating from Victoria in a staggered approach over the coming months as him and his wife Jamilee are expecting their second child in early 2026.
Welcome to the WBA, Lucas.
Lucas Allen Basketball Experience & Qualifications:
- Assistant Coach – South East Melbourne Phoenix – NBL
- Head Coach – Wyndham Basketball – BigV
- Head Coach – Southern Peninsula Sharks – BigV
- Head Coach – Victorian State Teams
- BA Performance Coach Accreditation (Level 3)
- Coaching Lead – Wyndham Basketball Association
- Director of Coaching – Southern Peninsula Basketball Association
- Technical Assistant – Australian National Teams – FIBA Oceania Qualifying Series
- Technical Assistant – Melbourne United – NBL
- Coach – AUS Development Camps
- Head Coach – Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup
- Head Coach – Basketball VIC National Intensive Training Program (NITP)
- Women’s Head Coach – Latrobe University
- Women’s Head Coach – Southern Peninsula Sharks – BigV
- Women’s Assistant Coach – Southern Peninsula Sharks – BigV
- Operations Manager – Southern Peninsula Basketball Association
- Tour Coordinator – Aussie Basketball Travellers
- Physical Education Teacher – Westbourne Grammar School
- Graduate Diploma – Teaching
- Bachelor – Sport & Recreation Management