Whether playing basketball for the University of Missouri, assisting on the Tigers’ coaching staff, or playing professionally in Israel, Brian Dailey has learned a thing or two about approaching the game at a high level.

Now, the 2001 Eastlake graduate is ready to give some of that knowledge back to his former high school.

“It’s really special,” the first-year Wolves’ coach said. “I think what motivates me is trying to give them some of the things that have been given to me as far as advice, training and really bring a vehicle for life.”

Dailey, who played point guard on two state basketball teams in 1999 and 2001, was hired as the new Eastlake boys basketball coach after Pat Bangasser resigned in July.

“When this opened up, there was no doubt about it,” Dailey said. “I was going to try to go after it.”

The Wolves, who finished 18-10 last season and made the 4A state tournament for the first time in seven years, graduated nine seniors and return just four players.

But for Dailey, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“It’s been great, they’ve really grasped on to what we’ve been giving them,” he said. “They’ve been building their IQ, fitting into our philosophy, so we have kind of a clean slate.”

Senior Conner Iraola returns as the lone full-time starter. The 6-foot guard was the teams’ leading three-point shooter, knocking down 64 shots from behind the arc last year. He was also the third-leading scorer, averaging 10.1 points per game.

Also returning are senior forward Colin Nelson (3.3 points per game), senior guard Abdu Elkugia, and senior forward Mike Miller.

Newcomers expected to help this year’s include senior Matt Uhlar, sophomore point guard Brandon Lester, sophomore guard Mike Hwang, along with 6-foot-6 juniors Eric Holmdahl and Nick Kassuba.

“We’ll have a solid rotation with our bigs,” Dailey said.

The primary focus for this year’s team is going to be conditioning — something Dailey has focused on ever since taking over in the fall. Being able to out-run and out-hustle opponents is something he’s relying on.

“It’s a huge part of our style of play,” Dailey said.

Eastlake is 1-2 to start the season, falling to Mercer Island and Ballard, and beating Cascade.

The Wolves are next slated to face rival Redmond at 8 p.m., Friday on the road.