Van Pelt the MVP of the Giants’ Men’s Coaching Search

The Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants men’s program will be heading into their 2024 season under new leadership with the signing of American head coach Matthew Van Pelt.

In what proves to be a massive signing for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association and Goldfields basketball in general, Van Pelt, a former player now coach has an extensive resume in both areas, having coached extensively in Asia for several years after having played professionally for many years across Asia as well in Europe and Australia.

He has just finished up a four-season stint as the head coach of the Saigon Heat of the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA), where he led his team to four consecutive VBA titles and was named VBA Coach of the Year in 2023 and is the winningest professional coach in Vietnam basketball history.

On top of this, he spent the last two years as head coach of the Vietnamese Men’s National Teams, in both 5x5 and 3x3 formats, which lead to a silver medal at the 2023 South East Asian games and the nation’s first FIBA win in 60 years at the FIBA Asia Pre-Qualifiers in late 2022.

When asked about his career to date, Van Pelt spoke highly of his experiences as a basketball professional.

“I always thought I would play professionally as long as I could. I loved the lifestyle of traveling the world as an import player, getting do what I loved playing basketball and leading teams as a point guard, and exploring different cultures and types of people,” he said.

“I knew I wanted to coach after playing, and therefore in between playing gigs throughout my playing career, I would take coaching jobs to get the learning experience and add to the resume.

“I had several short stints of 2-3 months coaching pro teams, youth teams, university teams, national teams, etc. as a player development coach or assistant coach because I know those moments would help me when I wanted to fully transition into coaching full time.

“My opportunity came about when a good friend of mine, Kevin Yurkus, accepted the Head Coaching role of the Saigon Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League, I jumped at the opportunity to assist him while I was still in my playing career.

“Getting in with the Heat was as awesome experience for me, and I just never went back into the playing career, as my coaching career took off and I fell in love with it.”

Looking ahead at his future role with the Giants, Van Pelt spoke about what he brings to the club and his team.

“I love leading, and I love being a part of something bigger than myself. Having to problem solve and mesh several different personalities with many different people trying to accomplish the same thing is a thrill for me,” he said.

“I like to think I am a versatile coach. I’m a certified sports nutritionist with a background in strength and conditioning and player development. I’m also obsessed with X’s and O’s and studying the game at the highest level daily.

“Therefore, I believe I have a good mix of developing players while still focusing on the X’s and O’s and what wins games and trying to balance that.

“More importantly, I guess you could say I’m also a player’s coach. I’ve been a player at many levels, and I think that helps me relate to and understand what my guys are going through. Having relationships with my guys on the team and communicating effectively with them is important to me.”

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association president and NBL1 Committee chairman Robert Tagliaferri spoke highly of Van Pelt, and what he can bring to the Giants organisation and basketball as a sport, in the Goldfields.

“We are incredibly excited to have someone of Matthew’s quality come into our NBL1 program,” he said.

“Not only do we believe he will assist in building the success of the team into the future, but expect the whole program from players, coaches and the general operation of the club to benefit from Matthew’s experience.

“Furthermore, Matthew’s experience in developing players of all ages will be beneficial working in with our current development programmes and coaches in assisting the advancement of basketball in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community.”

A graduate of journalism and communications from Spring Arbor University in Michigan, the opportunity to work in Australia in his studied profession as a journalist, whilst continuing to expand his coaching resume proved to be a big drawcard for Van Pelt.

He is also excited to return to Australia where he commenced his professional sporting career.

“I am just grateful to the board of the Giants for putting their faith in me and giving me this opportunity.” Van Pelt said.

“Australia is one of the better basketball countries in the world. To get into the country and coach hoops is a blessing to me,” he said.

“I started my playing career abroad in Australia. To get back there to coach is pretty special to me.

“I’ll make sure to bring my best for the board, the players, and the fans in Kalgoorlie as we try to have a successful season moving forward.”

Van Pelt and his long-time partner, Sasha, who hails from New Zealand are looking to be in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in early January and will have a lot of work ahead of him with the NBL1 season tip-off in April.

Profile:

Date Of Birth: 14th February 1991

Height: 178cm (5’10″)

Position: Head Coach - Men

Recruited from: Saigon Heat - Head Coach (Vietnam Basketball Association) / Vietnam National Men’s Basketball - Head Coach

Basketball Career:

Player:

2009-2013 - Spring Arbor University, Michigan USA (NAIA)

2013-2014 - Darwin Basketball Association, Australia (DBA)

2015 - Mekong Tigers - Cambodia Basketball League (CBL)

2016 - Team SportsMan’s - Thailand Gold League

2016 - Team Kilkenny - Ireland National League

2017 - Hanoi Buffaloes - Thailand Basketball Super League, Vietnam (TBSL)

2017 - MadGoat Basketball Club, Thailand Basketball League (TBL)

2017 - D-Strangers Basketball Club - Jimmy Poh Invitational Tournament, Malaysia

2018 - Mekong United - Vietnam, Thailand Basketball Super League (TBSL)

2018 - Smart Dragons - Chitato International Basketball Tournament, Cambodia

2018-2019 - Pacific Caesar - Indonesia Basketball League (IBL)

2019 - BFL Dragons - Asian International Community Basketball League, Hong Kong (AICBL)

2019 - Legends - Burapha International Tournament, Thailand

2019 - Krom Soben - Cambodia Basketball League (CBL)

2019 - Dunkin Raptors - Thailand Basketball League (TBL)

2019 - Shoot It Dragon - Mamma Cup Melaka International Championship, Malaysia

2020 - Saigon Heat - Saigon Premier Basketball League, Vietnam (VBA)

Coach:

2019-2020 - Vietnam National Team - Assistant Coach

2019-2020 - Saigon Heat, Vietnam Basketball Association, Vietnam - Assistant Coach

2020-2023 - Saigon Heat - Vietnam Basketball Association, Vietnam (VBA) - Head Coach

2020- Present - Vietnam Men’s National Team - Director of Player Development 2022-

Present - Vietnam Men’s National Team - Head Coach

Related Media:
Van Pelt wins race to lead Goldfields Giants - Kalgoorlie Miner (28th November 2023)