Lucas Allen Promoted to Assistant Coach

South East Melbourne Phoenix have finalised their coaching team for NBL23, with Lucas Allen appointed as an assistant coach.

Allen has been with the club since the inaugural year in a part-time Technical Assistant role.

"It means a lot; I first got the opportunity to travel to China in the pre-season before our first season in the NBL, and I've been around ever since. I got the opportunity to travel on the road with the team during covid lockdowns, so I got a real taste of what I am getting myself into but am super excited," Allen commented.

Allen has been around basketball for over 20 years, holding several different roles, including some coaching roles at Wyndham Basketball, South Peninsula Sharks and the U18's Victorian State Men's teams. He was Phoenix player, Mitch Creek's team manager for the U16 country cup.

"I have started from the bottom and done everything in between, coaching, admin, dare say referring," he said.

(Phoenix's coaching panel will comprise of head coach Simon Mitchell and assistant coaches Craig Simpson and Lucas Allen.)

After working with head coach Simon Mitchell since his first day, Allen said he could not see himself working under anyone else.

"Being around him for the last three going into four years, being comfortable with the head coach, there is nobody else I would rather work for in the NBL, no other club I would rather work for in the NBL. I am stoked this is where I got my first opportunity," Allen said.

Mitchell welcomed Allen's appointment and was happy Allen had been rewarded for his years of service at the club.

"Lucas is such a pro. His work ethic, attention to detail and expertise in many areas of coaching will be a huge asset in his new role. He has a great understanding of how things work at SEM, he knows our strengths, and he has built a great rapport with the players and performance department," Mitchell said.

"I have enjoyed watching this past week in pre-season the immediate synergy Lucas and Craig Simpson have formed in such a short time. It's exhilarating as a head coach to see your assistants so diligent and giving themselves to the team and its cause."

(Allen coaching at a time-out at the practice match against St Mary's.)

The team will focus on their defence this season as they strive for the club's first championship.

"It's no secret we are trying to improve our defence. That's been our most significant improvement across the board each season," Allen said

"We got to the stage where we thought we were right on the verge of winning a championship two seasons ago, weren't happy with last year, but I think what we put together for this year is a real shot."

Allen will take the lead on the offensive side of the ball, while assistant coach Craig Simpson will cover the defensive end with Mitchell overseeing the whole team's play.

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Phoenix Media (17/8/22)