The "mastermind" behind NBL Oz Gaming

The inaugural head coach of NBL Oz Gaming, Mitchell "Mootyy" Franklin led the team on and off the court this season. Being the only team in the league this season to make it to all four Stages, featuring two All-Stars (Djaytoocold and Sick One) and making the 5v5 Finals. 

2K League commentator Nate Patrick described Mootyy as the “mastermind” behind NBL Oz Gaming’s success this season, saying that his mindset of development on and off the court was essential to the team’s success. 

“When we started to get towards the end of the draft and when the 3v3 season was starting, I really, as the cliche goes, believed in Mootyy,” Patrick said. 

“Having had the pleasure of speaking with him and going through his step-by-step process for the season. It wasn't just ‘We want to win the first game’, ‘we're going to win this first tournament’. He had a plan to grow into the league and to get Harry adjusted into the league. 

“That's why he brought in Jerry (Sick One) for example, to have a veteran to hold things together. Lots of little things, well outside gameplay. He was looking for players that could be improved and then backing his coaching to get them there.” 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Going to be thinking about that finals for a long time…really wanted it for the guys ?<br><br>You guys were truly an extraordinary group, it was an honor and pleasure going to war with y’all <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JydenMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JydenMS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LawRichx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LawRichx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DjayTooCold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjayTooCold</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Sick_One_973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sick_One_973</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JKeith33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JKeith33</a> we defied the odds all year… <a href="https://t.co/2Vf0QjCEK2">https://t.co/2Vf0QjCEK2</a> <a href="https://t.co/iWRwwCjT85">pic.twitter.com/iWRwwCjT85</a></p>&mdash; Mitchell Franklin (@Mootyy2K) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mootyy2K/status/1687990369697267713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Patrick praised Mootyy’s development skills with his team as well, having two players nominated for the Most Improved Player award as a result. However, Patrick especially praised Mootyy for being the key factor in honing Harry’s skills as a point guard and leader. 

RELATED: Nate Patrick's favourite NBL Oz Gaming moments

He explained that the rookie point guard wasn’t a “massive communicator” in his first season and said that Mootyy worked with Harry on becoming a leader in the group. 

“It was one of those skills he really needed to develop. And it's why coach Mootyy is so brilliant, working with your chill point guard to be like ‘if you see something you're allowed to speak up’,” he said. 

“But I think the combination between the coaching from Mootyy, Harry internally just learning some things, and to be honest, training a lot more than a lot of the guys in the league. It's why we saw that improvement so rapidly.” 

The Coach of the Year finalist will be a leading candidate for the award at the NBA 2K League Awards, which will be hosted on September 22.