LIONS BASKETBALL ACADEMY / 2026 AUSA HOOPS USA TOUR!
Over the past few weeks, our Director, Coach AJ, had the privilege of once again joining the AUSA Hoops USA Tour, an incredible basketball development experience across the United States.
While our players train hard every week to improve their game, it’s equally important that our coaches continue developing too. Every new experience, coaching philosophy, and basketball environment helps us become better mentors for the young athletes who trust us with their development.
Learning Beyond the Court
The AUSA Hoops Tour is much more than just watching basketball.
Throughout the trip, Coach AJ experienced:
- Elite basketball training environments
- Coaching alongside experienced international coaches
- Training sessions with talented young athletes from Australia and the USA
- Visits to outstanding basketball facilities and colleges
- Exposure to different coaching styles and player development systems
- Behind-the-scenes experiences at professional basketball venues
Every session provided valuable insights into how successful basketball programs develop players both on and off the court.
Experiencing Basketball at the Highest Level
One of the highlights of the tour was attending a Dallas Wings WNBA game at the American Airlines Center.
Watching professional athletes compete live provided another reminder of the standards required to reach the highest level of the game—discipline, teamwork, preparation, and consistency.
Seeing how professional organisations operate also offers valuable ideas that can be adapted to improve the experience we provide for our own players and families at Lions Basketball Academy.
Seeing how professional organisations operate also offers valuable ideas that can be adapted to improve the experience we provide for our own players and families at Lions Basketball Academy.
Bringing New Ideas Home
The purpose of these opportunities isn’t simply to travel.
It’s about returning with fresh knowledge that benefits every player who trains with us.
Coach AJ comes back with new ideas in areas such as:
- Skill development drills
- Game decision-making
- Practice organisation
- Player confidence and communication
- Team culture
- Coaching techniques used by high-performance programs
Basketball is constantly evolving, and so are we.
Why Coach Development Matters
Parents often ask what makes Lions Basketball Academy different.
One of the biggest differences is our commitment to continuous improvement.
We don’t believe coaches should rely only on what they learned years ago.
Instead, we actively seek opportunities to:
- Learn from experienced coaches
- Observe elite basketball programs
- Stay current with modern player development
- Bring international knowledge back to Australia
When our coaches improve, every Lions player benefits.
Investing in Our Players
Everything we learn ultimately comes back to one place—our training sessions.
Every drill we introduce, every lesson we teach, and every improvement we make is designed to help our players become:
- Better basketball players
- More confident teammates
- Smarter decision-makers
- Stronger leaders on and off the court
Our goal has always been bigger than simply winning games.
We’re committed to helping young athletes reach their full potential while developing a lifelong love for basketball.
Thank You, AUSA Hoops
A huge thank you to AUSA Hoops, the coaches, organisers, and everyone involved in making this year’s tour another unforgettable experience.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue growing alongside the basketball community.
The Journey Continues!
About Lions Basketball Academy
Lions Basketball Academy provides year-round basketball training, competition teams, school holiday programs, and player development opportunities for junior athletes across Western Sydney. Our mission is to build confident players through quality coaching, strong fundamentals, and a positive learning environment.
Interested in joining the Lions family?
Book a FREE trial session and experience the difference for yourself. 🏀🦁
