Our coaches
Meet
the team
A mix of international, professional and home-grown coaches, several of whom came through Players First programs themselves.
Founding Director · Lead Coach · Player Development
Mike Torres
A professional basketball coach with more than 15 years in player development, scouting and player identification, and a professional trainer.
Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York, Mike found his refuge in basketball, and it taught him resilience, discipline and teamwork.
A US Navy veteran, Mike founded Players First in 2017 and HSBN in 2021. He has spent almost 15 years in grassroots and junior basketball, and more than a decade identifying, developing and placing players into US high schools and colleges, including NCAA Division I programs.
- United States Navy, 2008–2012
- VBL player, 2014–2017: Northeast Bushrangers 2014; Coburg Giants 2015–2017
- Director of Coaching, Coburg Basketball Association, 2017–2021
- Basketball Victoria State Program SDP Hub Lead, 2018–2021
- Big V Youth League Head Coach, Coburg 2021; Diamond Valley 2022 & 2023
- Bachelor of Sports Management, Victoria University
"Mike has a gift for recognising each player's motivations and talents. He challenges them and helps them to develop these qualities, so his teaching is a positive experience for students of all abilities, from beginners to professional athletes."
Players First parent
The coaching team
On the court and in the gym
William Al Haddad
Former Syrian national team captain, with more than 15 years of playing and coaching experience. Now retired from playing, William is a skills trainer and player development coach at Players First. He has been with us since 2021 and has played an integral part in our program's high standards.
Mitchell Lester
Mitchell played his junior club basketball at Collingwood and is the current captain of Darebin in the VBL Youth League, where he has won back-to-back championships. A product of Players First, he played under Coach Mike at representative and VBL Youth League level for more than 4 years, and knows our standards and expectations.
AJ Magbegor
A former NCAA Division I player at Howard University and one of Victoria's most decorated junior players. AJ played his VJBL at Coburg, was a five-time Victorian state player and a state champion, and was VBL Youth League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. A product of Players First, he played under Coach Mike at representative and VBL Youth League level for more than 4 years, and knows our standards and expectations.