NABA Dublin has a wide range of different Coaches. NABA Dublin has teams from U11 all the way up to U20. These coaches are from all different countries and different levels to help give our players a wide range of different experiences and different ways to view and learn the game of basketball. The coaches are dedicated to helping the next generation progress and imrpove their level while teaching them many valuable lessons on and off the court. NABA Coaches are excellent at teaching the youth players the discpline that is needed to be a player that can train and play at a high level. The coaches also help the players with confidence and helping them become mentally tougher to handle tough in game situations.
Audrius Jonusas
Audrius is a former Professional Player from Lithuania. Audrius also represtented the Lithuania National team many times (U14, U16, U18) when he was younger also. Audrius played for Statyba (Rytas) Lithuania Cup, Euro cup, Silute’s LKL (Lithuania Basketball League). As a coach , Audrius coached Ballon BC and won the National Cup and EFBL Championship. He then coached Dublin Inter to Super League and EFBL champions. Some of his coaching awards are , 2010-2011 Basketball Ireland Senior mens Coach of the Year, 2011-2012 Basketball Ireland Senior Mens coach of the year. Audrius is Currently the head coach of our U13 EYBL squad and is helping lead the boys in the right direction with giving them plenty of high level basketball training. The son of coach Audrius , Simonas Jonusas is currently leading the way in the U13 European Youth Basketball League in scoring averaging 22.5 points per game. Simonas has multiple 30 point games under his belt at the u13 european level so far this season and is dominating his local league in Dublin.
Daniel Russell
Daniel Russell as a player, played at many different levels across the USA. He first went to USA when 17 to Play AAU basketball and then finished out his Highschool Career in Texas and continued onto Prep school basketball in El Paso Texas also. Daniel represented Ireland at different underage groups as well when he was playing. As a coach Daniel has also coached at the International Level as an Assistant Coach and Head coach at other tournaments and in The EYBL such as Georgia , Ukraine , Romania , North Mcedonia and many more. Daniel Now coaches with our U16 EYBL squad and last year Coached the U17 and U14 EYBL teams. The U14 managed to qualify for the European Youth Basketball League play offs U14 and finished 9th place out of 36 teams in Europe. The U17s Qualified also but due to Covid at the time were not able to participate in the play off stages. This years U16 EYBL squad has been tested many times at the EYBL and the lads have been able to come out with some nice victories while abroad.
Rory Howe
Rory Howe is currently playing National League basketball with Tolka Rovers Mens team. Rory Represented Ireland on multiple Teams when he was younger also. Rory also made his Dublin Team as well as his Leinster Regional Team. Rory has also travelled to the USA with NABA on USA Tours in the past and got great experiences from this trips. Rory has now been coaching in NABA a few years and has coached a wide range of different age groups. Last Year Rory was the Head Coach of the U15 Boys EYBL Squad. It was a tough but great learning experience for the boys last season and Coach Rory was happy to see the players progress throughout the stages. Coach Rory is currently taking the U18 NABA Squad who Compete in Dublin as well as tournaments through-out Europe. Rory also specialises in skill development as he is able to use his Knowledge as a player and help develop the next generation. Rory is also playing for his University team and averaging a whopping 35 points per game.
Vytis Kalpokas
Coach Vytis has plenty of experience as both a player and a coach. 15 years’ experience as a basketball player and 17 years’ experience in basketball coaching. Vytis is also FIBA Licensed coach. Vytis Attended Kaunas Basketball school and has coached at many different levels Across Lithuania and Ireland. Vytis Helps Develop the youth players up to a standard that is required to compete in competitive european competition. Vytis is an expert at keeping his players and team well disciplined and focused on and off the basketball court. As well as a basketball coach Vytis is also a very experinced Physical Education Instructor. He has helped many players get the best of their physical training to help them endure the speed and physicality of the european game.
Evan Blackmon
Evan Blackmon is Currently playing National League level with Dublin Lions Basketball Club. Evan also plays for TU Dublin in the National College League. Evan is originally from Dallas Texas and played on many high level teams. He went to Dallas Woodrow Wilson high school where he played 5a basketball and played against many high level players who are now in NCAA or the NBA. Evan also played on the Texas Titan AAU program , this program is also the home of NBA players such as Cade Cunnignham, Greg Brown etc. Evan played EYBL Junior Mens last season as one of the Key players of this squad. This season he was the coach of the U20 NABA Squad in Dublin and also went to the first stage of EYBL too. Evan is a key skills development coach and can bring a whole lot of experience to the table to help improve the NABA players.
Umut Kocabalkan
Coach Umut is Originally from Turkey and comes from a basketball Family. The brother of Umut has played for the Turkish National team a few years back. Umut coached with Tenis Eskrim Dağcılık Sports Club (08/10/2018 – 29/07/2022) and also received the certification of Basketball Coaching from Turkish Basketball Federation. Coach Umut is currently With the U10/11/12 NABA players helping them get the proper foundation of fundemental basketball skills to help get them started off in the right direction as basketball players. Umut helps out with the other squads in NABA to help them get the best out of their time on court at NABA. Umut brings a very different style of basketball training to NABA and the players enjoy having Umut as their mentor on court. Coach Umut has got experience coaching teams in the Turkish Championship and finished in some of the highest rankings in Turkey.
Dermot Russell
Carles Orive
Sergio Martinez
