How Legendary Coach Guided Lee

Melbourne United’s Marcus Lee has revealed how a legendary coach in the USA helped him find a happy medium within basketball.

The mid-season import signing reminisced on his college days and how his Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari guided him to become the basketballer he is today, on The Huddle podcast with Liam Santamaria.

Calipari, also known as coach Cal, has coached Kentucky men’s basketball team since 2009 and has been named Naismith College Coach of the Year three times. He is widely regarded as one of the smartest coaches in the sport.

“I pinpoint that to one day, I was struggling between being serious for basketball, and finding that part where I could still fun. Where it’s too much fun or I’m not playing well, or I’m too serious and I’m stiff,” Lee said.

“He (coach Cal) noticed it going through my head and I was just not getting it right at all, and I was going through a fog in the basketball world and real-life world. He called me into his office, and he was like, 'hey what’s going on I don’t see your bubbliness?'.

“That’s something I’ve always kept with me, I’m a really bubbly person.

“He (coach Cal) said you play better when you’re in that bubbly, great feeling, happy person mood.

“That was where I needed to find my balance.”

Lee played for the Wildcats for three seasons, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, joined by current Melbourne teammate Isaac Humphries in Kentucky in 2015.

He says coach Calipari was an influential figure finding his feet in the basketball world, allowing him to discover what he needs to do to be successful.

“When I’m happy and enjoying basketball and happily flowing through basketball life, that’s when I play the best,” Lee said.

“That’s what you see here (United), I’m celebrating 'CG’s' (Chris Goulding) threes, I’m dancing and singing on the court…that’s how I focus in basketball.

“I have to enjoy what I’m doing, that’s my whole self. That’s what you have to, is learn how to put your whole self into basketball.”

Lee also discussed how Calipari served as a mentor during his college career.

“He’s that mentor of not just basketball but in life, where he’s trying to help you learn things and pick things up so quickly,” the 28-year-old said.

“It’s learning each player, learning what drives them.

“That’s what makes good coaches and great coaches, that’s the difference right there ... how they can manage different personalities.

“He’s pushing you to your absolute limit every single day at everything you do. It’s not even just basketball, he’s teaching you how to juggle life, social media, basketball, school, your own thoughts, and he’s pushing to do it all at a light speed.

“There is no time of learning, you have to learn while running.

“He is one of the hardest, not just coaches, but life teachers, and I think that’s exactly what people need in that environment.

“If not, you’re going through absolute hell in a foggy cloud where you can barely see your next two steps, and he’s sitting there just guiding you through those next two steps even though you can’t see.”

United have won four of their last five games and have quickly turned their season around as they chase a playoff spot.

Lee has been a revelation since arriving in the mid-season, averaging 9.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks across 22 a game.