Lake eyes next generation at Under-18 Nationals

Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Michael Lake has got his focus on the club’s future local talent.

Currently at the under-18 national championships in Brisbane, Lake is keeping a close eye on the eight athletes involved in the Adelaide 36ers Academy Program.

Lake believes it’s vital for the club to continue to build genuine links with the next generation of South Australian talent especially with a lot of amid a host of local stars leaving the NBL for overseas offers.

“It’s really crucial that we think about the juniors,” Lake told News Corp.

“The success of our league is going from strength-to-strength and with that it also means that we’re seeing more Australian players leave to play overseas.

“So, we really need to start doing something now to strengthen the pipeline.”

Lake is working overtime to invest in South Australia’s finest rising players.

“If we can do that with local South Australian kids, it ticks a lot of boxes for our club,” he said.

“We believe that there is talent locally and we don’t have to go interstate to find that talent.

“The club is really focused on investing. It’s not easy, and it comes at a cost and clubs have to be willing to wear that cost, but it’s worth it.”

Lake has high regards of several South Australian players, with particular praise for SA Metro combo guard James Mackenzie.

Mackenzie had eight points, eight assists, three steals and five rebounds in South Australia Metro’s hard fought 96-91 win over Queensland North on Wednesday.

Lake has no doubts the 15-year-old Mackenzie, who has trained with the 36ers during NBL23, can play at the highest level.

“James has been part of our academy over the past six months, he comes in at different times and has even trained with the NBL team and held himself really well,” he said about Mackenzie, a Forestville Eagles junior.

“He really impressed, especially in his ability to transition up against senior bodies. He has a really good head on his shoulders, where he understands that he doesn’t need to force things and he can select his moments offensively and he is really willing to play defensively and with physicality.

“He is still a light frame, so he has some room to improve in that space as he gets older.”