Legendary basketball coach takes training with local players

Youngsters taking part in the Athlone Basketball Youth Programme at Our Lady"s Bower were treated to a surprise last Saturday when legendary US coach Mike Thibault showed up to conduct two coaching sessions. Thibault is a hugely respected coach in America where he has worked with major stars such as Magic Johnson, Charles Oakley and Michael Jordan. Thibault first worked in the NBA as a scout for the LA Lakers in 1979 and worked there until 1982 before moving to Chicago Bulls where he acted as associate head coach and director of scouting. Mike also performed as head coach with Calgary in Canada before becoming general manager at Omaha Racers in the CBA. From there, Mike went on to become head coach of the USA women"s basketball team in 1993 and guided them to the FIBA World Championship. He later returned to the NBA for spells with Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Seattle Supersonics and Milwaukee Bucks, and to this day he remains head coach of WNBA team Connecticut Suns. Thibault has also won three Olympic gold medals with the US women"s side. He was invited to Athlone by well known local basketball coach Paddy Mullally, who became friends with Thibault several years ago, after initially arriving in Ireland for a series of coaching sessions after a request by the Coaches Basketball Forum of Ireland. Thibault took two sessions with the under-18 boys and girls at the Athlone Basketball Youth Programme in Our Lady"s Bower. Speaking after the sessions, Paddy Mullally said: 'This was a great experience for the players and an even greater boost for Our Lady"s Bower and the local St Mary"s Basketball Club. It"s not very often you get to meet and work with a coach of Mike Thibault"s calibre.' Coaches from Leitrim, Limerick, Galway and Roscommon also attended the event, while Cllr Kevin "Boxer" Moran and Our Lady"s Bower principal, Sr Denise, were also there to welcome Mike.