Coaching a Championship Team: The Journey to Gold with Czech University Basketball

I’ve been around high-level basketball since I was 15 — competing professionally across Europe, in the NCAA, and international tournaments. I’ve had the honor of being part of several championship teams, but mostly as a player. That changed in the summer of 2023, when I experienced winning from a completely new perspective — as a head coach.

A New Chapter: Leading the Czech University Team

In the spring of 2023, I accepted an offer from the Czech Basketball Federation to coach their university team for the World University Games in Chengdu, China. At the time, I was finishing the season with ACB’s Basquet Girona, working under legendary coach Aíto García Reneses. My goal wasn’t to make a name for myself or chase a title — I simply wanted to coach again after a few years as an assistant.

With only 18 days of preparation, my mindset was clear: focus on daily improvement, build chemistry, and enjoy the process. I didn’t talk about results or set lofty goals. I wanted the team to focus on becoming the best version of itself — together.

From the first day, the connection between players and staff was strong. We worked hard but balanced it with recovery and camaraderie. Many players gave up their summer vacations to sweat it out in Czech gyms — their dedication laid the foundation for something special.

Group Stage Battles and a Turning Point

In group play, we faced Japan, Poland, and the United States. Our aggressive style earned us two early wins. Despite losing to the USA, we competed until the final seconds — and that showed us we could hang with anyone in the tournament.

In the quarterfinals, we faced a tough Finnish team stacked with NCAA talent. They disrupted our offense, and we entered the fourth quarter down by 8. But our team never panicked, never tried to play hero ball. We trusted each other, hit key three-pointers, and took the lead late to seal the comeback.

The Final Stretch: Semifinal and the Championship Game

Next came Argentina in the semifinals — unbeaten and known for their physical style. But we stayed true to our game plan. Our defense locked in, our shooters caught fire, and we dominated from start to finish. We were headed to the finals — against an undefeated Brazilian team.

Before tip-off, I asked my players one question: “What’s the difference between this game and the others?” The answer was unanimous: none. We were going to do what we’d done all tournament — play hard, together, and with purpose.

The gold medal game had it all — lead changes, defensive battles, clutch plays, and pressure-packed moments. With two starting guards out due to injury, it became an all-hands-on-deck effort. Everyone stepped up. No egos, no fear — just complete teamwork.

And yes, maybe with a little luck, we brought home the first-ever gold medal in team sports for the Czech Republic at the University Games.

Redefining Coaching Success

We often define success through wins, trophies, and external validation. But this journey taught me something deeper — success starts on day one, in the culture you create and the values you instill.

This team was special not just because we won, but because we reached our full potential at the perfect moment. It was one of the proudest experiences of my life and a powerful reminder of why I coach.