By Duncan Mackay

Andrej Lemanis profileApril 24 - Basketball Australia has appointed Andrej Lemanis as its new coach and tasked him with leading them to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 


As part of the new full-time role, the 44-year-old will also become head of the men's programme at the Basketball Australia National Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Lemanis previously served as an assistant coach to former Australian Boomers head coach Brett Brown at the 2010 FIBA World Championships and 2012 London Olympic Games.

He joins the Boomers after securing a third consecutive National Basketball League (NBL) Championship with the New Zealand Breakers, becoming just the second coach in the competition's history to achieve the feat.

"In Andrej, we have a coach with an inherent understanding of the men's national team program and a winning pedigree," said Basketball Australia chief executive Kristina Keneally.

"What he has achieved during his time with the New Zealand Breakers is nothing short of remarkable - creating a culture of success that has led to three consecutive NBL Championships.

"In his time with the Boomers, Andrej has earned the respect of the players and has made a significant impact on the development of the programme.

"We expect that the Boomers will go into the 2016 Rio Olympics with the strongest squad to date and their strongest chances yet of winning a medal - particularly with the increased resources we're putting behind them.

"We're pleased Andrej will be at the helm full-time as the Boomers programme moves forward over the next four years."

Australia Boomers London 2012Australia, seen here in action against the eventual gold medallists United States at London 2012, have competed in more Olympics without winning a medal than any other country

Prior to his eight seasons with the Breakers, they were worst team in the NBL and had never competed in a Grand Final Series.

Before joining the Breakers in Auckland, Lemanis served as an assistant coach with the Townsville Crocodiles for seven seasons starting in 1998.

A member of the South East Melbourne Magic NBL Championship team in 1992, Lemanis took up several coaching roles in the Victorian Basketball Association and later serving as assistant coach at the Geelong Supercats.

Lemanis continues a fine tradition of coaches with experience in the NBL to graduate to Boomers head coach, including Brian Goorjian, Phil Smyth, Barry Barnes, Lindsay Gaze and, most recently, Brown.

He was chosen following a selection panel chaired by Steven Icke, Basketball Australia's general manager of high performance, which also included five-time Olympian and Board member Andrew Gaze, three-time NBA champion and Boomers great Luc Longley, legendary Women's National Basketball League and 2006 FIBA World Championship-winning coach Jan Stirling and former Australian Football League Premiership Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos.

"I am honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Boomers during this Olympic cycle," said Lemanis.

"The foundation laid by Brett over the last four years has placed the team in a great position."

Andrej Lemanis Coach of the Breakers L addresses the crowd during the New Zealand Breakers NBL Grand Final parade at Queen Street and Aotea Square on May 6 2011 in Auckland New ZealandAndrej Lemanis addresses the crowd during the New Zealand Breakers NBL Grand Final parade in 2011

Australia finished seventh at London 2012, the 13th time they have competed in the Olympics since their debut at Melbourne in 1956 without winning a medal - a record.

"We have a core group of players who are all committed to the programme and are excited about the future," said Lemanis.

"The experience we have gained together over the past four years will serve us well as we move forward.

"It is an exciting time for Australian Basketball as we start to change the elite development landscape.

"I look forward to working with all the passionate people involved with basketball to achieve a programme all Australians can be proud of.

"I appreciate the responsibility to get the process right, but am excited by the challenges that lay ahead.

"I thank Basketball Australia for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.

"I look forward to the journey ahead of us."

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