‘Great addition to our staff’: Legendary NBL coach returns to the NBA to join Milwaukee’s staff

The NBA is about to feel even more Australian with an NBL legend set to join the coaching staff of one of the best teams in America.

Legendary Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson is returning to the NBA to join the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant where he’ll get to work with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Gleeson won five NBL championships with the Wildcats following stints with the Townsville Crocodiles and Melbourne Tigers and had been linked to the Hawks job after Illawarra parted ways with Jacob Jackomas earlier this season.

The Milwaukee Bucks hired Trevor Gleeson as an assistant coach on Adrian Griffin’s staff, Griffin said in Brooklyn tonight. Gleeson spent the past two years with Griffin on the Toronto Raptors staff, and previously won five titles as a head coach in Australia’s NBL.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 27, 2023

It’s a huge move for the veteran coach given the Bucks are second in the Eastern Conference standings and one of the favourites to win the title.

The Bucks had been searching for an experienced assistant after Terry Stotts suddenly stepped down in October following an incident with head coach Adrian Griffin.

That’s worked out well for Gleeson, who spent two seasons working with Griffin at the Toronto Raptors.

Former Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson is returning to the NBA as an assistant. Picture: AAP Image/Gary Day

“We were a little bit shorthanded, one of the staffs with the least amount of coaches, so we thought it would be beneficial to bring someone on,” Griffin told reporters before the Bucks’ game against Brooklyn on Thursday (AEDT).

“I worked with Trevor in Toronto, just had a lot of respect for him.

“Had the pleasure of working with him in Toronto. Five-time NBL champion. Brings a wealth of experience with him. Just a great all-round guy, so he’ll make a great addition to our staff.”