Coach Ash

Ash played basketball at an elite level

As a talented player Ash won an under-20 national championship for WA in 2001 and went on to play five seasons in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the Lakeside Lightning. In 2002, at 20 years of age, Ash averaged 20ppg, 10rb, finished 3rd in the SBL in Blocked Shots and 5th in the SBL in Steals. A career high 43 points against Swan City Mustangs garnered Ash an SBL Player of the Week award. Following his breakout season, Ash was recruited by the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats to play NCAA II in the MIAA Conference in Missouri, USA. After a strong season with the Bearcats Ash transferred to the Missouri Baptist University Spartans in St Louis, helping them to a national ranking of #16 in NAIA Division I and a ticket to the University’s first National Tournament appearance in 33 years. After his promising basketball future in US college was cut short by injury, Ash desired to give back to his community and the sport. In 2017 he transitioned his gifts and talents to community focused work, mentoring young people and coaching basketball by establishing Aussie Prospects.

Extensive basketball coaching skills

Ash is a former Head Coach in the SBL Ash led the Kalamunda Eastern Suns to their second only playoff appearance in 2012, building a successful culture with local talent. He was the Assistant SBL Coach with the Willetton Tigers in 2013 and 2014 and the Lakeside Lightning in 2015. Following the transition of the SBL to NBL1 West, Ash was a NBL1 Assistant Coach with the Goldfields Giants in 2021 and 2022.

Significant involvement in Western Australian basketball

Ash has coached within the WA High Performance program as an Assistant Coach for the WA Metro State team in 2009 and has been a prominent fixture within the senior levels of WA Basketball League for over fifteen years. Ash has run the Aussie Prospects Academy since 2017 coaching and developing elite talent from pro players, college bound Australians and local elite-talent such as:

Men: Luke Travers (Cleveland Cavaliers – NBA), Daniel Grida (Illawarra Hawks – NBL), Ethan Elliott (Centre of Excellence – Canberra), Marshall Kearing (University of South Alabama – NCAA I), Marshal Destremau (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – NCAA I), Daniel Foster (University of Nevada – NCAA I), Tana Kopa (Canisius University – NCAA I), Riley Parker (Saint Francis University – NCAA I), Blake Nielsen (St Edwards University – NCAA II), Cooper Creek (Assumption College – NCAA II / Pro), Leigh Rickwood-Pitt (Northern Arizona University – NCAA I), Corey Shervill (St Edwards University & Perth Wildcats) and Andrew Ferguson (San Diego University and Perth Wildcats).

Women: Bella Green (St Francis College – NCAA I), Malia Tharpe (San Diego University – NCAA I), Emerson Taylor (McNeese State University – NCAA I), Pania Davis (Florida State University – NCAA I), Georgia Adams (Southern Nazarene University – NCAA II), Mackenzie Taylor (Midwestern State University – NCAA II), Riley Burd (Midland College – NJCAA I) and Taylah Morgan (Dodge City Community College – NJCAA I).

Ash brings important business skills to the process

With a Bachelor of Business majoring in Sports Management and Marketing, Ash has an innate ability to analyse and understand the recruiting marketplace and work with players on how to promote themselves, build profile and manage communications, all critical ingredients to success for both College and Pro level athletes.