McIntyre Continues Coaching Rise

Fleur McIntyre is looking to continue her rapid rise in the coaching ranks, with a trip to the NBA’s Summer League on the cards.

Headhunted by former Chicago Bulls star and Sydney co-owner Luc Longley, McIntyre has become a key member of the Kings’ coaching staff across the last two seasons.

Previous to that, she was the Discipline Head of Exercise and Sport Science Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia and had an incredible career at Cockburn Cougars, winning MVP honours on five occasions.

The future is bright for the Kings' assistant coach.

“I’m just trying to learn as much as possible. Making sure I’ve got all my bases covered and picking up things here and there, trying to learn as much as possible before I turn my attention towards the Head Coach pathway,” McIntyre told The West Australian’s Dribble Podcast.

“I’m really thankful that I’ve got someone like Chase and people like Luc Longley and Chris Pongrass with NBA connections.”

McIntyre coached the Kings during the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz in Darwin earlier this year, and has gained great praise for her work in a short time at the club. 

“I think what makes Fleur so special is her ability to connect with the players, she earns their trust really quickly. Developing relationships, talking to them,” Sydney coach Chase Buford said on the NBL Documentary.

“I told her if she wants to be, she’s absolutely in line to be the first woman head coach in the (NBL). I’m trying to push her to explore opportunities in the NBA.

“She could add a lot of value in a lot of different ways for a lot of clubs.”

Fleur McIntyre and Chase Buford working on the next move for the Kings. 

McIntyre was named the Kings’ Club Person of the Year in their championship-winning NBL22 season.

“I get to work with a group of guys I absolutely adore. We have so much fun every single day. I’m really happy where I am at the moment. I am learning a lot. I’m excited to see what comes next.”

McIntyre said she wants to set an example for aspiring females in whichever field they choose to pursue. 

“I want young girls to think it's normal, they can be a coach in the NBL if they want to be, they can coach in the WNBL if they want to,” she told ESPN.

“There aren't the barriers. Women coaching, women on TV, women on sideline - this is just normal for them and they know if that's what they want to do they can go and do it.”

McIntyre and her fellow Kings coaches will be hoping to lead their side to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Championship Series on Friday night.