Coaches/Staff
Brendan Mettler
Coach Brendan Mettler is originally from South Africa where he is a highly decorated member of South Africa’s National Team. He brings his vast experience and knowledge of the game to the Top Flight coaching staff. Over the course of his professional career Coach Brendan has played in over 20 international competitions in 10 countries over the last decade including The African Qualifying Championships in 2011, The Commonwealth Games in 2006 and the World Student Games in 2005 to name a few. He has been the National Teams top scorer on 3 occasions; in 2011 at the African Championships, in 2007 at the South African Student Games, and at the 2007 WCBL where he was named scorer of the year.
Coach Brendan joined the Top Flight Staff in December of 2011 shortly after he and his wife arrived from South Africa. He has quickly become a favorite with the high school players with his knowledge of scoring the basketball.
This summer Coach Brendan will travel to the U.S. to compete in the NBA summer league trials in Las Vegas Nevada. He is a very welcome addition to the Top Flight Staff.
Darongpan Apiromvilaichai (Palm)
Darongpan Apriomvilaichai a.k.a “Coach Palm “is Top Flights top coach and one its founding members. His passion and dedication to teaching the game of basketball is one of the cornerstones on which Top Flight was built. He is affectionately known as “The Mad Scientist” for his unique ability to design drills that improve students fundamental skills. As a player Coach Palm is one of the most decorated current players in Thailand where he has won over 7 championships in his career on both the collegiate and professional levels. He is a two-time Kings Cup winner and a 5-time University games winner collecting championships in Vietnam. In 2011 he was selected to the All-Tournament Select team for the Kings Cup; an honor awarded to the 5 best players in Thailand. Coach Palm began playing the game of basketball at age 12. At a young age he was selected to play at The Thewpingarm School in Bangkok; a school notorious for producing great basketball talents under the tutelage of Thai National Team coach Coach Joe. Under the guidance of coach Joe and through his own hard work Coach Palm grew into a formidable talent earning himself a spot on the Thai National Team. He has consistently been one of the national teams top performers. In 2011 the Thai National Team achieved a historic feat by reaching the finals of the SEA Games (Olympic Qualifying games) in Indonesia; a first for Thailand. Incidentally it was Coach Palms three point basket with 30 seconds remaining that secured the semi-final victory against Indonesia. Palm currently is a member of the Thailand Slammers in the Asean Basketball League. Coach Palms holds a bachelor degree from Thammasat University and a masters from Dhurakijbundit University
Patrick Kona
Patrick Kona is originally ,from Cameroon. He began playing basketball at age of 10 on the local parks and playgrounds. After displaying unique talent he was recruited to join the Cameroonian Junior National Academy at age of 15. He led his team Noga Airforce to three junior national league championships in his tenure with the team. In 2007 Patrick was awarded a full scholarship to play in “ University” in Thailand. He led his university team to consecutive championships in 2006 and 2007 before becoming a professional in 2008. During his professional careerhe has played for 2 different teams in the Thailand Professional League, including PEA and Hi-Tech Basketball. In his frst year in the Thai league with the aforementioned PEA team he was awarded the 2008-09 MVP trophy. Patrick’s played for the PEA team that reached the finals in consecutive years of 2008- and 2009. He finally won his first professional title in the 2010 Kings Cup with Hi-Tech. His passion for the game is infectious. He loves teaching the game of basketball and he is a favorite of our students.
Chris Kuete
Originally from Cameroon Coach Chris Kuete is one of the most decorated professional basketball players on the Top Flight Staff. He has won championships on every level of the game and on several continents. As an amateur he led the Cameroon Junior National Team to consecutive Central African Cup Championships from 2003-2005; where he was awarded the MVP trophy each year. He has had an impressive 8 year professional basketball career in Thailand where he has won 5 championships including 3 Thailand Open Championships, 2 Kings Cup Championships, and in 2011 he led The Chang Thailand Slammers to their first ABL (Asean Basketball League) Championship. Most basketball observers generally regard him as the best foreign-born basketball player in Thailand.