It has been an exciting period of hoops for Nunawading Basketball and many of its representatives. Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing the stories of our athletes that have taken on a new chapter in their basketball careers, signing on with various college programs across the United States to further their basketball horizons.

As a program, we take great pride in our representatives and their journey’s (a term not just reserved for reality TV). A not so common story though, is one of a coach. Today however is a new day, and we have one hell of a story to tell…

University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) – Head men’s basketball coach Brooks Thompson announced Wednesday that Shenton Wai has been promoted to assistant coach.

Wai started playing basketball in 1989 in MEBA Domestic Competition for the Ashwood Wolves as a 12 year old, and began coaching for the club the following year. In 2000, he took on a coaching role in the Nunawading Spectres Junior Program before moving on to the Sydney Kings (NBL) in 2001 as an Assistant Coach and Advanced Talent Scout, first under Brett Brown (2001) then Brian Goorjian (2002-2004).

In 2004 Wai switched from the sideline to the front office, serving as a marketing and communications executive with the NBL, a role that ultimately presented an opportunity in 2008 to take on a Basketball Operations Internship with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. Wai impressed at the Spurs so much that he was then entrusted to scout, build and maintain the franchises draft prospect and free agency library, covering players across the NCAA, D League and International programs along with coordinating draft workouts and mini camps.

From 2009, Wai has served as the Team Operations Coordinator at UTSA – again, impressing so much in the role that he was this week promoted to Assistant Coach of the Men’s Basketball Program. “I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity that Coach Thompson has bestowed upon me,” Wai said. “Having been blessed with a number of great mentors through the years, namely RC Buford, Brett Brown, Brian Goorjian, Bill Tomlinson and Bruce Ford, I intend to take full advantage of their teachings and do whatever I can to help UTSA reach the pinnacle of Conference USA.”

Bruce Ford who Wai paid homage to when accepting his new role, was Wai’s coach at the Ashwood Wolves all those years ago, reinforcing the role coaches play in the overall development of their athletes lives.

Nunawading Basketball congratulates Shenton on his recent promotion, one he has clearly worked extremely hard for. His journey is a testament to his tireless work ethic and a credit to making the most of every single opportunity.