The Rival Dynasties Fuelling Coach's Ambition

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

"Every single time they went to battle there was going to be a competitive edge that was probably far superior to any other matchup."

Incoming Perth assistant coach Aaron Young has crossed one of the most heated divides in NBL history to attain his new position, with the former Breakers video assistant detailing his experiences between the two clubs.

Young initially linked up with the Breakers in 2014, just one season after the club’s vaunted championship three-peat between 2011 and 2013.

New Zealand had defeated Perth in two of those three title-deciding series’, and the two clubs once again faced off for the championship in 2016.

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Between them, New Zealand and Perth won 10 out of an 11 possible NBL titles between 2010 and 2021.

“The thing that really stood out was the rivalry,” Young told SEN of his experience with the Breakers. “But also the respect those teams had for each other.

“Every single time they went to battle there was going to be a competitive edge that was probably far superior to any other matchup.

“To witness that firsthand, to get a front row seat to that and just witness the intensity and passion from both clubs was a tremendous step for my journey as a coach, and it really sparked that passion and the journey to want to get to this NBL level.

“The fact it’s come to fruition and I’m doing it at the Wildcats who I have massive, massive respect for – it’s just a surreal feeling.”

Despite his long tenure at the Breakers as a video assistant, Young has joined the Wildcats with an immense amount of coaching pedigree in his home country.

He’s been the head coach of St Kentigen’s high school program for almost eight years, and has also spent an intensive amount of time within the Tall Blacks’ junior coaching setup.

He’s also led NZNBL side Auckland Tuatara to three consecutive post-season berths.

Through the extensive coaching experience, he heads to Perth with a familiar face on the roster.

“I coached Dontae (Russo-Nance) for three years at St Kentigens, so I have a great connection with him,” Young continued. “The fact we’re reconnecting is a special moment.

“He’s someone that has a great poise to him. He’s someone that has great confidence in what he does – he’s very humble in the way he goes about himself.

“He always plays at his own pace, he’s got great instincts defensively, and those traits definitely translate to the professional level.

“He knows he wants to be a pro, he knows he wants to play basketball. To surround himself with Bryce (Cotton), Corey (Webster), Tai (Webster) and everyone else involved – and there’s no better people to go up against than some of the best in the world … the sky is the ceiling for him.”

Perth’s opening game of the NBL24 season is set to come against Tasmania on Friday, September 29.