Alumni Testimonials

Wow , time really flies . I think back to the beginning of AUBD , the brainchild of father and son , the Threatt men ….. What a fantastic idea  helping hundreds of kids play the game they loved . I think back to all the kids that started the morning program and how they’ve grown , some on to college some on to the Pros . Without this program , myself and Darryl Macdonald would not have had an opportunity to start our coaching careers and certainly would not have be able to grow a relationship with the Threatts … So I say, Well Done to you two guys and thank you so much …..

Lanard Copeland – Assistant Coach Sydney Kings

Because of the AUBD Academy I was able to get to the US, study, and then realise what I wanted to do with my life. After AUBD I’ve noticed that a lot of the lessons that were taught there can also be applied in real life, the whole aspect of working hard when no one is watching you particularly stands out to me. I’ve always looked back on my time at AUBD with fondness because of the passion and joy that everyone brought every single morning.

Mathew Schulz – Technical Manager – La Trobe University

Without AUBD, I don’t know where I’d be today. I’ve known since joining the program I had the right people in my corner who wanted the best for me. They gave me all the right tools and knowledge necessary to reach my goals and be anyone I wanted to be. It hasn’t been all about basketball either. More so about making me a better person and preparing me for the real world despite the avenue I took.

Kuany Kuany – Point Guard – Cairns Taipans

AUBD gave me the opportunity to learn from the best. The coaches have extensive experience playing and coaching. Without the work put in at AUBD I wouldn’t have played at the collegiate level. The drills and workouts were designed to put me in situations that let me excel at an elite standard. They motivated me and promoted a good work ethic. I have many great memories from my time with Sedale and his crew.

Nick Jones – Guard – Hume City Broncos

AUBD is a family to me, its bigger than just a basketball program. Its where I’ve learned the basic structure of basketball. It taught me with hard work and determination everything is possible . I’ve learned a lot and continue to learn from Sedale Threat Sr. I remember how AUBD helped me go to schools such as Box Hill , Lee College, Baylor, and continue helping me with my professional basketball career.

Deng Deng – Forward – Sydney Kings

AUBD are literally my family, so I had the privilege of Sedale and Sedale Snr developing me as a child throughout my years in the State (VIC) Basketball and Netball teams, the AIS Development Squad and even now as a netball player.  I feel blessed and thankful for the development and guidance they gave me throughout my life.

Vanessa Augustini – Training Partner –  Collingwood Magpies Netball

I started at AUBD when I was 15, back when there was only 20 kids in the program. Coming in at a young age and staying there for five years was huge for me. The coaching we got there was unbelievable, the detail, the personal attention, the skill development and work ethic was on another level. Not only that, but it felt like we were part of something. It was a movement away from how basketball was traditionally taught in Australia. It was fast paced, hard nosed and ultra competitive. My goal, like most of the guys there, was to play college basketball, and AUBD helped me achieve that. Not only by helping me find a scholarship but also through the hours and hours of training and development. I can’t say enough about what AUBD meant to me, and still means to me. It’s a special place, and I’m proud to have been apart of it.

Max Burstin

The Monday and Wednesday sessions each week provided an opportunity to really practice and compete in a “game like” setting, with a strong emphasis on athleticism and effort. AUBD provided a platform for me to not only get better as a player but also to develop a work ethic that I’ve taken into other areas of my life.

Luke Girke – Model – Giant Modeling Agency

When i joined AUBD in 8th grade, it proved to be the defining point of my basketball career, transitioning my game from a raw, scrappy athletic one, to disciplined, high level one where I could now play above the rim. AUBD directly led to the opportunity in receiving a private school scholarship, where I would be exposed to further high level basketball, which in turn facilitated the opportunity to pursue a university scholarship; one which I am currently about to start my junior year of. I owe all elite aspects of my game to AUBD, and without it, there’s no question I would be somewhere other than enjoying a college basketball life right now.

Furthermore, the college (or American) style of coaching at AUBD – with emphasis on dicipline, conditioning and coachability, prepared me for the rigors of college level coaching.

Edward Bourke – Centre – University Colorado – Colorado Springs

AUBD was a great experience for me. It motivated me to push myself and taught me so much. It allowed me the opportunity to better my game and I have made lifelong connections through my experiences and time at AUBD.

Orlando Seelander – Guard – Blackburn Vikings

AUBD had an instrumental role in helping me achieve my long term goal of playing college basketball. They aided in both my player and personal development on and off the court and I still apply the lessons I learnt there in my life today.

Stuart Mileo

AUBD was a great bridge for me to make sure I stayed on top of my fitness and elevated my game leading into the start of the US school year. AUBD helped me play against the best high school teams in the states and really get my name out there.

Nathan Lemke – Centre – Cairns Marlins

AUBD and the staff have been an incredibly important and influential part of my life since I first attended one of their camps approximately 10 years ago. For 6 years I was involved with AUBD and I am forever grateful for the life lessons and experiences that the program and staff has offered me. From training with a world class coaching staff day in and day out, to attending tournaments in the US, Sedale and the team has granted me memories and life lessons that I will take with me well into the future. My personal highlight of my time with AUBD would definitely be their ability to help me secure a scholarship to play in the US. With their help and guidance I was able to fulfill a childhood dream of mine and secure a place playing college basketball.

Samuel Moretti – Officer – Australian Army

AUBD has contributed significantly to the development and improvement of my basketball skills throughout the years. While being involved from a young age the coaches have advanced my skills allowing me to play and compete overseas. The environment and expertise displayed through the program is of great quality, allowing anyone involved to positively develop their basketball abilities.

Georgia Stirton – Guard – Knox Raiders

What AUBD provided my peers and I extended far beyond that of a traditional training service. Every day I was afforded the rare opportunity to learn from some of the greatest basketball minds in the country, as well as being given the platform and playing opportunities to immediately apply their teachings. The mentorship focus, attention to detail and the high playing and personal standards that my coaches impressed upon me greatly accelerated my growth as a player and as a young adult.

Callum Taylor – Forward – Mars Hill University

AUBD helped me develop as a basketballer…both individually and in a team environment. It taught me discipline on and off the court which not only helped me on the court, but life beyond basketball.

Mike Donovan – Coach – Dandenong Rangers

AUBD introduced and exposed me to a new style of Basketball at a young age. The program developed my game and prepared me for college basketball.

Lachlan Anthony – Forward – Saginaw Valley State University

AUBD provided me with the opportunity to learn, practice and play the sport I love not only in Australia, but in different parts of the world. The memories I have from my time with AUBD and the friendships I made are something that I carry throughout my life and will take with me until the day I die. The program not only taught me skills that translated onto the basketball court, but instilled values of respect, hard work, mental toughness and many more essential attributes, that have assisted in my transition to the next phase of life after basketball. The coaches are the best in the world and have provided me with the best possible preparation to overcome any and all situations life has to offer and I will be forever grateful.

Corey Nobilo – Forward – St Mary’s University (Texas)

AUBD has meant to me a chance to work with and get to know basketball players from around the world. It’s also a great way to get into the American college system with the contacts and coaches that AUBD know and have.

Jacob Formosa – Guard – Sunbury Jets & Maltese National Team

AUBD was the beginning of my real passion for basketball, I knew I loved the sport but wasn’t sure if I could ever go as far as I wanted or dreamed of. With the hard work and dedication the coaches like Sedale Threatt Jnr., Darryl McDonald, Lanard Copeland and Sedale Threatt Snr. instilled in me I’ve been able to bring my game to a whole new level and even after my time with them, I’m still using the life lessons and skills they’ve taught me to better myself.

James Henderson – Guard – Whittlesea Pacers

AUBD gives me so many memories! Being trained by some of the best, learning different skills, making friends, learning what basketball is about overseas. The level of training I did with the AUBD I never done with any club in Melbourne.

Chris Bartalotta – Entrepreneur

AUBD has been the turning point In my basketball career as it made me want to pursue a career in the American college system. It helped me create friendships with all the guys in the academy and also helped prepare for what college life will be with school work side. The coaches have been a huge influence into the development of the player and the person I am today.

Jordan Lingard – Forward- Whittier College

AUBD has taught me the importance of hard work and discipline from a young age. Their high level coaches provided me with a platform which allowed me to better myself everyday. I was lucky enough to go on a US tour with them which exposed me to US style basketball. It also gave me an idea of what I needed to work towards in order to become a college athlete.

Matt Attard – Guard – Central Maine Community College

AUBD was one of the best things to happen to my life. It taught me as a late teen, early adult the discipline needed to excel in every aspect of the game”. MAN 10 years ago thats crazy, Just wanna say thank you as well for what yourself and father did for me!

Eamon Larman-Ripon – Guard – Melbourne University Black Angels

It was a great pathway and played a big part in me being heavily recruited out of a small town in Southwest Victoria.

Leigh Saffin – Guard – Chadron State University

AUBD really gave me a love for the game of basketball. The coaches; Sedale Snr & Jr, Lanard and DMAC helped me tremendously in learning a lot about the game starting at a young age and have really helped me as mentors to become the person and player that I am today.

Timothy Liesting – Forward – Waverley Falcons

AUBD taught me what really matters in your training. To be prepared for anything you need to work on a different degree of difficulty than a game can produce. Make everything uncontrollably difficult and work harder than everyone, that way the game can’t surprise you.

Jack Barry – Guard – Hawthorn Magic

AUBD really means a lot to me because it has allowed me to grow as a basketball player and to achieve my goals & aspirations both on and off the basketball court. Without AUBD I don’t think I would have made to it college and to the D1 level. AUBD has shaped me into a player to be able to play in the highest level in America and be able to compete. Both Sedale Snr & Jnr have helped me over the past years with some of the best coaching I have ever had. Without this program I would have lacked the skills that were needed. AUBD has taught me everything I needed to know about basketball and lead me in the right direction.

Danielle Pisano – Guard – Werribee Devils

I met Sedale Sr. when I first arrived to Australia in 2012. I was coming off an ACL reconstruction. The coaches at AUBD not only helped me get back on the court, but drastically improve my overall skill set. I went on to play 5 seasons here in Australia.

Mike Torres – Coaching Director – Coburg Giants

AUBD taught me how basketball was played in the US. The game and the lifestyle is different over there and Sedale and AUBD gave me the tools to make the adjustments for when I went to college. Along with key basketball concepts, AUBD taught me how to handle myself as an athlete and what it really takes.

Ben Shellim – MMA Fighter – Adrenaline MMA

AUBD was such an excellent experience when I was younger, it taught me hard work, discipline and sparked healthy competitiveness from such a young age which is a great thing to have in my opinion. The fitness component was always something I loved the most, pushing my mind and body as far as I could, and AUBD was a great place for it.

Max Pertzel  – Australian Sports Nutrition

I first started AUBD when I decided to take basketball seriously. AUBD taught me a plethora of new skills, as well as teaching me discipline. All of the coaches have world class basketball experience, and plenty of knowledge to share.

Kristian Zjak – Forward – Mount Royal University Canada

I could write a book about AUBD and the opportunities that I have gained from the program…not  just me but the whole Sudanese basketball community. AUBD really means a lot to me, not just as a basketball program, but as a family. Coming to AUBD as a young kid opened up my eyes a lot on and off the court. It let me know that I have the tools and helped me chase my dreams. I was taught how to become a better person in life, showing me the importance of an education, and gaining knowledge that will be with me for the rest of my life. I hope to use this knowledge so that I  can lift up another young person with the experience that I have gained from AUBD. I would like to say thanks to Sedale Threatt , Sedale Threatt Jr, Lanard Copeland, Darryl McDonald and other staff that were part of AUBD. You guys have been inspiration in my life and the things I have learned from you mean so much to me.

Will Deng – Forward – Werribee Devils

AUBD has had a big influence in how I approached and developed in the game of basketball. It helped me prepare and train at the intensity of professional athletes and I love every second I was in the academy. By far the best academy I have been in and would recommend it to anyone that wants to progress to have a professional basketball career.

Claudio Campos – Electrician

AUBD has played a major role in shaping the person I am today. While most people generally believe that sports only teach you how to win games or be physically strong, I believe AUBD has had far greater impact on my life. The program has helped me develop real-world skills that can be applied to all areas of my life now. AUBD has given young athlete’s like my self the opportunity to develop my skills, knowledge and passion for basketball. Playing against USA high schools and other USA teams gave a great confidence to come back home and work on my craft. I’ve challenged myself to get the most out of the program. with the opportunity to learn from the best coaches in Australia like Sedale Threatt Sr, Sedale Threatt Jr, Lanard Copeland and Darryl MacDonald. The Past tour members have benefited from the tour too. We had so much fun in America and also got to meet NBA players like Magic Johnson , Steve Nash, Kawhi Leonard during the USA tour. And far more great memories. I wouldn’t be the player I am now without AUBD…all thanks to Sedale Jr and Senior.

Emanuel Golong – Guard – Ex NBL Melbourne United & Current Casey Cavaliers

AUBD was like nothing else at the time. It was a group of elite and committed players coming together and developing their game with one another. It certainly took my game to the next level.

Dr. Param Singh Sethi – Chiropractor – Optimal Health Chiropractic

AUBD allowed me the opportunity to understand basketball from an elite level, not only on the court but off the court as well. I was fortunate to be involved in the unique environment AUBD provides, which gave me a foothold into the sporting industry.

Karl Slaviero – Corporate Events (Internship) – Carlton Football Club

Training with Sedale Jr and Senior has been one of the best opportunities I have ever had. Learning that there was levels to training and learning some unbelievable skills (Unguardable) I truly improved in all aspects of my game. It set me apart in terms of skill level and that provided the opportunity to play NBL under the great Al Westover and that’s all thanks to Sedale Jr. and Senior. The times I won’t ever forget is training with Sedale Jr…I couldn’t beat him because he was just incredibly skilled and that’s why I was persistent in asking him if he would teach me. I’m truly appreciative and grateful to AUBD and even know still train when I come home.

Yusuf Qaafow – Ex-NBL Player and Current Captain of Somali National Team

AUBD was a good stepping stone into the world of basketball and sport. Going from playing casual competition and some representative basketball it was the first time I really got to learn and train in a much more intense environment. Learning and developing my skills under the guidance of great players like Sedale Threatt who played NBA and Lanard Copeland.

Paul Nikoloff King – Guard – Sunbury Jets

AUBD was the reason I was able to pursue my dream and play collegiate basketball. Not only did they help in getting me recruited, but they offered me a platform to get ready for that next step, whether this was practice, diet, or sessions in the gym. Moreover, AUBD were the first program to really give me a chance to grow as a player in both skills and confidence, something which is often overlooked. I’m truly thankful for the hours Sedale Sr., Jr., D-Mac, and, dare I say, Lanard put in, as without their help I would not be in the position I am in today.

Declan Harrick – Advertising

AUBD has been my pathway when it came basketball. A lot of players can go under the radar sometimes or just don’t get developed the way they should but Sedale helped get my game to the level I needed to. I’ve been privileged to travel the world thanks to the game of basketball playing in the states, China and now in the QBL.

Shaq Riak – Forward – Port City Power

Although I wasn’t that great of a player, looking back getting up for training and all that were some of the days of life given how much I love the game. I told Neal (AUBD Strength & Conditioning Coach) the other day, for someone like me that has ADHD and having tried a few medications here and there, my mind never felt lighter and sharper than those days after training in the morning with AUBD. I really wished I could have taken more advantage of the platform that you guys offered.

Cecil Chan – Studying Law Melbourne University

The coaching staff and trainers at AUBD has allowed me to reveal my competitiveness. It has shown me the life of a professional. And it has taught me true work ethic.

Michael Todorovic – Guard – Corio Bay Stingrays

Sedale, I really wanted to let you know… Now that Tommy is turning 21,  my wife Michelle, Tommy’s 3 brothers and I were thinking about the people that have helped him throughout his 21 years become the fine young man that he is today.   Michelle and I know that we have not done it all ourselves and we have put AUBD at the top of the tree.  AUBD made him a hard working, team focused basketballer. Thank you!

Kieren Williams – Father of Tommy Williams – Guard – Blackburn Vikings