Adam Drummond to continue his basketball education while studying for his Masters in UCD

At this stage, basketballer Adam Drummond's story is well documented after his serious accident a few years ago.

However, instead of feeling sorry for himself he grabbed his opportunity to continue his basketball career by playing with the Rebel Wheelers and coaching with his boyhood club Neptune.

This year, Adam will continue his coaching career with the UCD Marian Super League team, and his studies in UCD in Dublin, where he will be completing his Masters Degree in the International Business in the Smurfit Graduate Business School, that is after completing four years in MTU in Sports and Exercise Management.

“This year I’ll be completing a Master’s Degree in International Business in the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business school in UCD. 

"This comes after four years in MTU studying Sports and Exercise Management,” Adam said.

“As regarding coaching basketball, I was able to get a wide range of coaching experience with my time in Neptune.

"Beginning with the U20 team in 2021, I was able to develop relationships with lads from U17 all the way to senior, which was a pathway we tried to create for the players. 

"Neptune is a traditionally big club which attracts players from various backgrounds. 

"I quickly learned that you can’t coach two people the same way, as each person is different, so whether that’s physically or emotionally, I had to adjust to the players needs.

“Being a part of the Super League coaching team last season was an eye-opener for me, personally. 

"The attention to detail and preparation that goes into a training session, never mind a game blew my mind and is something the average person wouldn't realise or be aware of.

“The relationships you create beyond the court is what matters most to me. 

"I’m not going to sit here and lie saying winning is not important - it is! 

"But having a player ask me for advice about school, work, or life is much more of a success for me than a scoreboard. 

"I also try to take pride in the development of players too. 

“Leave it better than you found it, is something I’ve tried to follow especially in coaching.

“The two people who would have invested a lot of their time in my development as a coach the most would be Kieran Leahy and Keith Daly. 

"They were always a phone call away when I had an issue and they are two coaches that have developed Neptune's core players in recent years. "In terms of a coaching philosophy and the coaching model which I have followed, it would been based on what I saw Colin O Reilly do. 

"I had the chance to be coached briefly by him before my accident, and I have tried to implement what I learned into my own sessions. 

"It was also great to coach under Paul Kelleher last year. 

"He’s someone who I have had a great relationship with since the age of 13 where he coached me on various teams. 

"It was great being on the other side of the lines with him last season.

“Before I was a coach, I was a basketball player. 

"I feel like being able to connect with players on their level is a unique and valuable trait. 

"I feel like that when you coach it's people that you are dealing with, so I am very mindful of that before games and training that some players could had a bad day or week, so it is very important to try recognise the players body language so that you can be someone to relieve or understand their stress.

“While im in Dublin I will be getting involved with UCD Marian Super League program, help with the Video Analysis and Scouting. 

"It’s something I spent time on in MTU during my undergrad which I enjoyed. 

"Learning from a coach like Ioannis was also another big factor for my decision. 

"The club has welcomed me with open arms so far and I’m excited for the season ahead.

“I’m staying playing with the Rebel Wheelers in Cork for the upcoming season. 

"The natural thing to do was to join a Dublin based club, however, as a club who are showing ambitions to compete beyond Ireland and in the Eurocup, it’s something I couldn’t walk away from and it's something I’m extremely excited about.

“Firstly, I have to focus on the academic year ahead. 

"I’m up here for university and then a bit of basketball on the side. 

"I’m not a person who sets huge goals, as I try to take each day as it comes and focus on the here and now. 

"That could be assignment by assignment, session by session or game by game.

"Yeah, I’ve a rule with myself that I’m not allowed two bad days in a row! 

"Life is hard and I do struggle at times, but leaning on family and friends is very important. 

"It’s even more important to be there for people, or players when they need it in return. 

"You get out what you put in,” Adam added.