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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

Australian coach Gleeson joins NBA title-chasing Bucks

Ex-Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has joined the staff at NBA title-chasers Milwaukee Bucks. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

NBL coaching great Trevor Gleeson has joined the NBA title-chasing Milwaukee Bucks, where he will work alongside superstar duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Gleeson, 55, will serve as an assistant to head coach Adrian Griffin, who has turned to a familiar face to bolster his coaching staff.

The five-time Perth Wildcats championship-winning coach previously spent two years alongside Griffin at the Toronto Raptors.

"We were a little bit short-handed, 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 the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday (AEDT).

"Had the pleasure of working with him in Toronto, just had a lot of respect for him.

"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."

Gleeson joins a Bucks (22-8) team that sits second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (23-6).

Originally from Warrnambool in country Victoria, Gleeson coached the now-defunct Townsville Crocodiles (2006-2011) and Melbourne Tigers (2011-2012) before enjoying a stunning period of success with Perth.

He joined the Wildcats in 2013 and won five titles from six grand final appearances in eight seasons, and left in 2021 when he earned his first NBA opportunity with the Raptors.

Gleeson also had brief stints as a specialist skills coach with AFL clubs Hawthorn and North Melbourne.

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