Meet the team

Marco Alexander

Marco is the Founder and Head Coach at Playmaker.
Born in Skopje, Macedonia, Marco started playing basketball at the age of 7. His Coach in Macedonia was strict but dedicated, running an academy called Playmaker -- inspiring Marco to create his own Playmaker Basketball Academy 27 years later.

Marco and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2004, where Marco continued to play basketball. Attending Rangitoto College, Marco graduated as the school's all-time scoring leader. While at high school, he played for North Harbour Basketball Association, winning four national age-group titles and earning three all-tournament selections. He represented New Zealand at under-18 level and was part of the New Zealand Breakers Academy.

At national championships, he won Under-21 MVP in 2010 after leading Harbour to the title, earned all-tournament honours at Under-21 (2011) and Under-23 (2013), and won the Under-23 national title with North Harbour.

He debuted in the New Zealand NBL in 2011 with the Waikato Pistons and later played for the Harbour Heat, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, and Super City Rangers, finishing his NBL career in 2016. Across 81 games, he averaged 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

In 2014, he trialled with the New Zealand Breakers and joined Melbourne United as a development player, making one Australian NBL appearance before season-ending hip surgery.

Internationally, Marco competed for New Zealand at the 2011 Summer Universiade, averaged 15.0 points per game, was named to a Tall Blacks trial squad in 2013, and represented New Zealand at the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. He has played professionally in New Zealand, Australia and in Europe. 

After retiring from professional basketball, Marco continued to play socially. He developed a career in business and recruitment, but recently pivoted back to basketball. He currently Coaches a range of ages and is based primarily on the North Shore.