Fleur McIntyre

Fleur McIntyre (born 24 October 1979) is an Australian basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant general manager of the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played 15 seasons in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the Cockburn Cougars, where towards the end of her playing career she began coaching as well, serving as head coach of the Cougars women's team in 2010 and 2011. In 2021, she joined the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL) as an assistant coach, where she won two NBL championships in 2022 and 2023.

Early life McIntyre was born and raised in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Her father was a mining engineer and she subsequently lived in a number of small mining towns in Western Australia.

McIntyre served as Under 18 and Under 20 state basketball captain for Western Australia Metro.

Playing career

McIntyre pursued State Basketball League (SBL) opportunities with the Willetton Tigers but eventually joined the Cockburn Cougars, where she was the club's 1995 rookie of the year. She endured a couple of knee surgeries early in her career.

McIntyre played for the Cougars every year between 1995 and 2003, which was followed by stints in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2013. Injury limited her to one final game for the Cougars in 2014, as she finished her SBL career with 270 games. She earned life membership with the Cougars and won the club's MVP award five times. in the 2006–07 season.

Cockburn Cougars In October 2009, McIntyre was appointed head coach of the Cockburn Cougars women's team for the 2010 State Basketball League season. and was subsequently re-appointed as head coach for the 2011 season. She served as player-coach in 2011, which she later described as the "worst decision" and that she was "horrible at it". The team made a quick start to the season before finishing seventh with 11 wins and losing to the Perry Lakes Hawks in the quarter-finals.

McIntyre re-joined the Cougars women's team as assistant coach under head coach Deanna Smith for the 2014 season. In September 2014, she coached the WSBL All-Stars in an exhibition match against the West Coast Waves.

In 2020, McIntyre served as assistant coach for the Cougars men's team under head coach Andrew Cooper during the West Coast Classic.

Sydney Kings On 15 July 2021, McIntyre was appointed an assistant coach of the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL) under new head coach Chase Buford. Desiring a career change after more than a decade pursuing an academic career, McIntyre received a call from former NBA player and long-time friend Luc Longley who encouraged her to apply for the assistant coach role at the Kings. The Kings were interested in her professional background and her focus on connecting with people and building relationships. McIntyre became the fifth female to be hired in the NBL coaching ranks behind Michele Timms, Lori Chizik, Tracy York and Chanel Pompallier.

McIntyre helped guide the Kings to the NBL Grand Final in the 2021–22 season, She made a big impression in her first season at the Kings, winning the Club Person of the Year.

McIntyre was given the opportunity to be the Kings' head coach during the first game of the 2022 NBL Blitz pre-season tournament, As assistant coach, she helped the Kings return to the NBL Grand Final in the 2023–23 season,

Following the departure of Chase Buford at the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, McIntyre was touted as a possible candidate to replace him as head coach. extending her contract with the Kings for a further two seasons.

In July 2023, McIntyre worked as a guest coach with the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. She was invited by long-time Spurs executive, R. C. Buford, the father of Chase Buford. She served under former NBL player and coach, Matthew Nielsen.

Executive career In January 2024, McIntyre was appointed an assistant general manager of the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She commenced her position in April following the conclusion of the 2023–24 NBL season. She remained in the position as of November 2025.

Personal life McIntyre's father, Colin, is considered one of the best footballers the Goldfields region has produced. He won the Mitchell Medal as the Goldfields Football League's (GFL) fairest and best player in 1979 while playing for Kambalda, and in 1993 was named captain of a special GFL All-Stars team. As of January 2024, she had a brother who lived on the east coast of the United States. Up until 2021, she had worked with Basketball Western Australia's high performance programs and coached several state teams.

McIntyre is a close friend with former Perth Wildcats player, Greg Hire. She served as a director for his charity, A Stitch in Time, and was the master of ceremonies at his wedding.