MARTY CLARKE
Technical Director
As the technical director of NBA Global Academy, Marty Clarke oversees all aspects of player development and coaching for top high school-age prospects from around the world.
Clarke spent several years as the head coach of the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). During that time, Clarke also served as an assistant coach of the Australia Men’s National Team for the 2012 Olympic Games before moving to the U.S. to become the associate head coach at St. Mary’s College. The Gaels won 88 games in his final three seasons, after which Clarke returned to Australia to take up his current role with NBA Global Academy.
A former Australia Junior National Team captain and NBL player, Clarke returned to the Australian Institute of Sport in 1998 as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach. In that role, he was instrumental in the development of many of Australia’s NBA and national team players, including Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes. During that tenure, Clarke was also the assistant coach of Australia’s U19 national team that won a gold medal at the 2003 World Championships, before serving as the team’s head coach for the 2007 and 2009 World Championships.
NATE BRERETON
Assistant Coach
As Assistant Coach of NBA Global Academy, Nate Brereton supports the program through daily development and coaching of top high school-age prospects from around the world. Brereton previously worked for Basketball Tasmania as a Basketball Development Officer before accepting the position of Assistant Coach of the Men’s program at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in 2021. He has been Head Coach for multiple Tasmanian state teams competing at Australian Junior Championships and was an Assistant Coach at NBL1 level. Brereton has bachelor degrees in Commerce and Computing and chose to forgo a 14-year career in finance and management consulting to pursue his passion for basketball coaching.
MATT BLUE
Player Development Coach
As the player development coach for the NBA Global Academy, Matt Blue supports the day to day development of top high school players from around the world. Blue joins the Global Academy after a stint with NBA Academy Shandong starting in 2017, where he mentored the 14th selection in the 2019 WNBA draft, Han Xu. Prior to his time with the NBA Academies Blue was an assistant coach at the collegiate level for 8 years with stints at division I Lafayette College and the University of Hartford, as well as Susquehanna University. In his time in the college ranks Blue has been a part of the development of three, top 30 3 point % shooters in the nation, 13 all conference selections, was a part of 3 coaching staff of the year awards. Blue played his college basketball at St. Lawrence University and captained his 2006-07 squad to an NCAA tournament appearance while shooting 43% from 3 and 82% from the line for his career.
SHANE CONNOLLY
Strength and Conditioning Coach
As the strength and conditioning coach at NBA Global Academy, Shane Connolly is responsible for enhancing athletic performance, improving player health and reducing the risk of injuries for top high school-age players from around the world.
Prior to his current role, Connolly served as the strength and conditioning coach at NBA Academy Shandong in China.
Connolly spent four years as the director of strength and conditioning for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at St. Mary's College. While at St. Mary's, he earned his master’s degree in kinesiology with a focus on coaching.
Connolly is an NSCA (CSCS) and ASCA (ASCA 2) accredited strength coach and holds a USA Basketball Gold License. He played college basketball at St. Lawrence University.
JULIE CLARKE
Senior Academic Coordinator
As the senior academic coordinator at NBA Global Academy, Julie Clarke oversees all aspects of student academics and educational pathways for the academy’s student athletes.
An alumna of Victoria University and the University of Melbourne, Julie has taught history extensively in schools throughout Australia. She previously served as a teaching instructor at the University of Canberra and was a member of the Athlete, Careers and Education team at the Australian Institute of Sport, where she provided guidance and support to elite athletes. Julie is a former WNBL player and Australian Junior National Basketball Team member, an alumna of the Australian Institute of Sport’s basketball program and an Australian Sports Medal recipient.