Kym Cheeseman
Victoria, Melbourne - Victorian basketball has lost one of its true legends with the passing of Mike Slusher, whose generosity and passion touched so many people for more than six decades.
Mike’s basketball journey began on the court, playing Division 1 College Basketball at the University of Miami, Ohio, before making his mark in the NBL with the St Kilda Saints and the Nunawading Spectres. However, it was his dedication to coaching young people that he will be missed for most. Mike dedicated himself to coaching junior boys and girls, senior athletes, and elite-level players, always bringing the same trademark blend of humour, intelligence, and deep respect for the game.
He coached teams at Dandenong, Nunawading, Knox, Waverley, and Maccabi; served as Assistant Coach at the Brisbane Bullets, and guided countless squads in SEABL, Big V, NBL1, and at state level. He also played a pivotal role in coach education nationally, teaching and mentoring emerging coaches and contributing to some of the earliest Level 3 instruction offered outside of Canberra. His experience and qualifications were so extensive that former State Director of Coaching, Ross Wignall, recognised Mike as operating at a Level 3 standard long before formal pathways existed for him to be accredited.
His legacy will live on through the countless athletes and coaches he inspired, the young players he guided with patience, the senior athletes he motivated with warmth and humour, and the colleagues he supported with wisdom and kindness. For more than 20 years, his beloved senior domestic women’s team, affectionately known as “Mike’s Team,” reflected the essence of who he was: devoted, joyful, and endlessly committed to helping people grow.
At the Basketball Victoria 2025 annual awards we were thrilled to honour him with his 50 years’ service award, which was presented to his wife on the night.
Mike leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: a community shaped by his leadership, generations strengthened by his mentorship, and a sport made better by his lifelong dedication.
Basketball Victoria, the Dandenong Basketball Association, and the broader basketball community extend their deepest condolences to Mike’s family, friends, former players, and colleagues.
