Who We Are
And Why We Coach
Developing skilled athletes and confident young people on and off the court. Learn more about our coaching team and philosophy below.
About US
More Than Basketball
Itβs About Growth, Grit, and Great Coaching
At Next Level Basketball, we create a safe, positive, and challenging environment for players of all levels, from Year 2 beginners to aspiring pros.
We are dedicated to developing young athletes across Auckland by teaching essential skills, building confidence, and instilling the work ethic needed to take their game to the Next Level.
Our academy is proud to work with some of the best coaches in the industry. We bring together knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate coaches who teach, motivate, and inspire every athlete who trains with us.
But our mission goes far beyond basketball.
We focus on developing the whole athlete by building their leadership, teamwork, communication, resilience, and confidence. We believe that the lessons learned on the court translate directly into life, helping our players grow not just as basketballers, but as people.
At Next Level Basketball, we deliver a balanced training environment where skill development, game understanding, personal growth, and enjoyment come together. These key ingredients drive both individual progress and team success.
Our Team
Interested in joining our coaching team?
Coach Yaran Ghassemi
Coach Yaran leads our program as Head Coach, bringing extensive experience as a former professional player and as a coach holding both international and New Zealand qualifications. With a deep understanding of player development, he knows how to maximise each athleteβs potential and drive meaningful improvement.
Coach Yaran brings unmatched passion, energy, and expertise to every session. His commitment goes beyond basketball, he is dedicated to helping every student achieve their goals, build confidence, and succeed both on and off the court.
Coach Malek Ghassemi
Coach Malek has been passionate about basketball from a young age and has developed strong coaching experience working with athletes of all ages across the Auckland region. With international experience and a professional background as a personal trainer, he brings a well rounded understanding of skill development, athletic performance, and strength conditioning.
He is also an active basketball player, competing regularly in social teams, which keeps his on court knowledge sharp and current. Coaching the next generation is something he finds truly rewarding. At Next Level Basketball, Coach Malek is dedicated to helping athletes grow their skills, elevate their physical performance, and build the confidence needed to achieve their basketball goals.
Coach Robert Urquhart
Coach Rob brings a wealth of basketball experience from both Australia and New Zealand, having played and coached across multiple competitive levels. His background includes years of developing players through structured training, game IQ development, and on court leadership.
With extensive experience as a basketball coach, Rob combines technical skill work with strength, conditioning, and athletic development to help players reach their full potential. His coaching style is energetic, supportive, and detail focused, ensuring every athlete grows in confidence and performance.
Rob is still actively playing basketball socially, which keeps him sharp, connected to the game, and in tune with the modern style of play. He brings his passion, professionalism, and commitment to every session, helping players of all ages build strong fundamentals and long term success.
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