Andrew Gaze is brought to tears as he watches teammates and friends talk about the impact of his father Lindsay. Not just on their basketball careers, but their lives.

Whether it be Brian Goorjian, Mark Bradtke, Lanard Copeland, or any of the countless names in Australian basketball who’ve had the pleasure of working with Lindsay Gaze, his influence goes far beyond being just a coach, or just a colleague – he’s family.

Speaking on Gaze: The First Family of Australian Basketball, which will air exclusively on Channel 9 and 9Now on Thursday night, some of the Melbourne Tigers’ most influential stars opened up. 

“Lindsay wanted to be the basketball god … and he achieved that,” three-time NBL champion Mark Bradkte said.

“Lindsay Gaze means greatness to me,” five-time NBL All Star Lanard Copeland continued.

Of course, Lindsay Gaze had incredible success as both a player and coach; three Olympics campaigns as a player, four as coach. 35 seasons as coach of the Melbourne Tigers, including 22 in the NBL. Two championships. Three NBL Coach of the Year Awards. Induction in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s an incredible honour list. 

But according to those he’s worked with, the basketball accolades are just part of what makes Lindsay special.  

“He’s more than a coach. My dad passed away when I was young … he was that father-figure to me,” Copeland added.

“He’s definitely a family-figure. I love that man. I care for that man,” former Melbourne Tiger and six-time NBL championship coach Brian Goorjian continued.

“Life for me without the club would be nothing … when people love you, they take you into their home, there is nothing better … it’s a true love,” two-time NBL champion Ray Gordon said.

Gaze: The First Family of Australian Basketball tells the extraordinary story of Lindsay and Andrew Gaze, who rose from humble beginnings at the Albert Park stadium in Melbourne, to shining a light on the sport of basketball and representing Australia at a record number of Olympic campaigns in the famous green and gold.

The documentary will be aired exclusively on Channel 9 and 9Now on Thursday, June 20, at 8:30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, and 10pm in Sydney and Brisbane.