From the Academy to the Big Leagues: An Exploration of Coaching Paradigms, Athletes' Perception of Coaching Efficiency and Skill Performance

NBA Global Academy

Hugh Fullagar, Rob Duffield, Andrew Murray

Isay Aurellado is a sports scientist serving in an embedded PhD role at the University of Technology Sydney and the NBA Global Academy at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Her research explores skill acquisition in basketball, with a focus on shooting in dynamic environments, and examines how technology can be applied to monitor, assess, and enhance athletic performance.

Beyond her research, Isay contributes to athlete load monitoring at the Academy, working closely with Performance and Medical staff to optimize player health and performance.

She earned her Bachelor of Sport Science from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where she competed as a student-athlete in basketball. She also holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology, specializing in Motor Behaviour and Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Texas Tech University.

With her diverse educational background and practical experience, Isay brings a holistic perspective to sports science, integrating research, technology, and athlete-centered approaches to foster development and performance in basketball.

I have worked with individuals across a wide range of skill levels, sports, ages, and industries—from clinical settings to the general population and elite athletes—focusing on enhancing health and performance through a holistic approach. When this position was advertised, it perfectly aligned with my skill set and the professional path I wanted to pursue, specifically working with developmental elite basketball athletes. Having played basketball in college and competed at the highest level possible during my time, I understood the demands of the sport firsthand—albeit from a different perspective due to gender. Learning that this role was in collaboration with the NBA made it even more special, as it presented a chance to pursue my childhood dream. I took a shot, applied, and fortunately, I was selected.

The psychology of behavior has always piqued my interest, particularly in the health and athletic space. Initially, I aspired to become a doctor, but during my pre-medical studies in Sport Science, I realized that prevention is often better than cure. This perspective led me to see physical literacy—not just for the general population but also in elite performance—as a powerful tool in addressing many of the leading preventable lifestyle diseases people suffer from today.

I think every time a Filipino athlete succeeds on the international stage, it resonates deeply with our culture. We take immense pride in celebrating the achievements of our fellow kababayan, as these moments—though rare—hold great significance and bring a strong sense of national pride.

This might not be fun for everyone, but for me, it is—I can be very competitive.