Blake McLean serves as an Associate Professor at UTS and the Director of Performance Research and Development at the OKC Thunder. His dual roles with the Thunder and UTS allow him to collaborate on research and development endeavors across both academia and industry. With a background as an S&C coach and sports scientist with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the University of Texas, Collingwood FC, and Wests Tigers RL, Blake has accumulated extensive expertise and experience in applying scientific thinking to support decision-making in the heat of week-to-week professional competition. In his current role, Blake leads a range of interdisciplinary research and development initiatives, working with a team of practitioners striving to optimize availability and readiness for the 82-game regular season and playoffs.