The Benas Podcast

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#97)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Chris":

Chris Babb’s basketball journey took him from Penn State and Iowa State to the NBA. After going undrafted in 2013, he made his mark with the Maine Red Claws, earned his opportunity with the Boston Celtics, and went on to build a long career playing across Europe.

In this episode, Chris looks back on the draft process, his D-League-to-NBA transition, and adapting to life and basketball in Europe. We also talk about his decision to retire, the mental health challenges he faced throughout his career, and how he’s approaching the next chapter: coaching.

Topics:
00:00 Intro 

3:00 NBA memories & mindset

7:40 Decision to go to Europe

12:05 Rookie & Euro experience

16:00 Cultural experiences

23:45 Mental Health journey

31:30 Retirement & New Identity
42:00 ProBallers.com

45:40 Impact from other coaches

49:00 "Must" for coaches

53:00 Assistant Coach Lessons

1:02:20 Scouting reports & Information

1:10:21 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#ChrisBabb #DLeague #NBA #InternationalBasketball #Coaching #Retirement #MentalHealth

Finding Chris:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/c_babb/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBabbII 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#96)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Igor":

Igor Kokoškov’s remarkable coaching journey began in Serbia before taking him to the NCAA and then the NBA, where he spent more than two decades as an assistant, won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons and became the first European-born head coach in league history. He later brought his expertise back to the EuroLeague, while his greatest FIBA achievement came in 2017, when he guided Slovenia to an unbeaten EuroBasket title.

In this episode, Igor shares how meeting Quin Snyder at Duke helped shape his path, the mentors who influenced him during his Serbian basketball beginnings, and how he learned to build trust with NBA players as a foreign assistant coach. We also explore managing energy throughout a long season, the evolution of in-game play-calling, and his role as Head of Player Development with Project B—along with leadership, communication, adaptability and many more lessons from his extraordinary career.

Topics:
00:00 Intro 

00:35 Quin Snyder impact

6:00 Beginning of coaching

10:20 Mentorship & Methodology

18:45 Serbian Basketball Culture

23:00 Foreign Coach in the NBA

30:45 Decision-making process

35:00 Connection with players

40:20 Locker-room impact

44:30 Energy Management & Information diet

57:45 ProBallers.com

1:06:25 Eurobasket 2015 & Playcalls

1:17:00 Offensive Systems & Winning

1:23:10 Project B

1:25:34 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 
#IgorKokoskov #NBAcoach #HeadCoach #FIBA #Euroleague #ProjectB #Basketball

Finding Igor:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/igor.kokoskov/ 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NAUJAS EPIZODAS!

(EP#95)

Jeigu norite palaikiti ši podkasta (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Svetaine: www.bmatke.com

Remejas: www.proballers.com

"Valdas":

Valdas Dambrauskas – vienas ryškiausių Lietuvos futbolo trenerių, savo kelią pradėjęs Anglijoje ir vėliau dirbęs Lietuvoje, Latvijoje, Kroatijoje, Bulgarijoje, Graikijoje, Kipre bei Vengrijoje. Su skirtingais klubais jis iškovojo ne vieną nacionalinį titulą, o šiuo metu vadovauja Azerbaidžano klubui „Sabah“, kuris rungtyniauja UEFA Čempionų lygoje. Jo karjera – tai išskirtinė istorija apie atkaklumą, nuolatinį mokymąsi ir drąsą siekti aukščiausių tikslų.

Šiame ypatingame „The Benas Podcast“ epizode kalbėjomės apie sunkią Valdo pradžią Anglijoje ir pirmąsias patirtis „Brentford“ klubo sistemoje. Aptarėme jo asmeninį požiūrį į tobulėjimą, mąstyseną ir tai, kodėl treneriui pirmiausia svarbu atrasti save kaip žmogų – tik tada gali suprasti, kokiu treneriu nori būti. Taip pat kalbėjome apie kompetencijos lanką, laikotarpį, kai Valdas labiausiai pasitikėjo savimi kaip treneriu, bei viso pokalbio metu lyginome futbolą ir krepšinį, jų kultūrą ir subtilybes. Valdas pasidalijo ir daugybe kitų įžvalgų bei istorijų iš skirtingų savo karjeros stotelių.

Temos :
00:00 Intro

01:00 Old Trafford

3:30 Valdzia / Manager'is

12:00 Statistikos

21:00 Sunki pradzia Anglijoje

29:30 Inercija ir vizija karjerai

34:15: Ose Aibangee itaka ir spaudimas

55:10 Ugdyti žaidėjų savarankiškumą

1:05:00 Zmoniskumas ir zinios

1:09:30 Kompetencijos Arka

1:22:10 ATOs

📢 Prenumeruokite mano „YouTube“ kanalą „The Benas Podcast“, jei norite nepraleisti naujausių epizodų! Šį tinklalaidės epizodą taip pat rasite visose garso platformose.

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#ValdasDambrauskas #ChampionsLeague #Sabah #Futbolas

Valda rasite čia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valdasdambrauskas/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valdas.dambrauskas.96 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valdas-dambrauskas-34146176/ 

“The Benas Podcast” rasite čia:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…arba aspilankykite www.bmatke.com .

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NEW EPISODE!

(EP#94)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Peppe":

Giuseppe “Peppe” Poeta is a former Italian national-team point guard who played for clubs including Virtus Bologna, Baskonia, Trento, Torino and Cremona. After retiring in 2022, he became an assistant coach at Olimpia Milano, then led Brescia to the 2025 Italian League Finals before returning to Milan. Since November 2025, Poeta has served as Olimpia Milano’s head coach, succeeding Ettore Messina.
Today, "Peppe" reflected on his playing career and how those experiences shaped his approach to coaching. We discussed practice habits, leadership, handling difficult losses and the lessons he has learned throughout his coaching journey. He also shared how he manages his staff and whether his identity has evolved since transitioning from player to coach. and much more!

Topics:
00:00 Intro 

00:30 Summer talk

03:10 Positive aura

05:14 Reflecting on his path

07:50 Mentoring young players

11:10 Negativity vs Positivity

15:30 Rational decision-making

20:00 Practice habits & approach

25:30 Leadership & Learning

31:30 ProBallers.com

33:30 Changing identity to coaching

42:00 There is no truth in basketball

49:00 Tolerance in basketball, 4 pillars

58:10 View on scouting reports

1:04:26 Coaching Staff Politics

1:08:00 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#PeppePoeta #MilanoBasketball #Euroleague #HeadCoach #Basketball

Finding Peppe:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/peppepoeta8/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peppe.poeta 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#93)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Nico":

Nicolej Krickau is a Danish handball coach whose playing career ended early due to injury, leading him into coaching at a young age. He rose to prominence with GOG, where he developed several world-class players and led the club to back-to-back Danish championships in 2022 and 2023. Known for his modern, player-centered approach, Krickau later won the EHF European League with SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2024 and is now the head coach of Füchse Berlin. He is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and respected young coaches in European handball.

Today, Nico and me talked about how he started to coach, what the similarities between basketball and handball really are, how he developed and currently coaches the best player in the world, Mathias Gidsel and many more topics that should interest you if you're a sports fan!

Topics:
00:00 Intro 

1:20 Cultural Communication

7:50 Coaching beginnings

13:00 Openness and authenticity 

18:30 Handball culture

23:50 Scouting Handball players

30:30 Coaching Mathias Gidsel

51:50 Culture: Germany vs Denmark

58:00 Coaching Culturally

1:09:30 Relating to Basketball

1:11:00 Improving a winning culture

1:16:40 ATOs 

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#NicolejKrickau #Denmark #Berlin #Fuechse #Handball 

Finding Nico:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicolej_krickau/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolej.krickau 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#92)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Tutis":

Tuti grew up playing basketball in a basketball family and eventually transitioned to coaching. He accepted an assistant coach position within the Zalgiris junior program before eventually transitioning to the pro team and working under four different Head Coaches, most notably Andrea Trinchieri his last season. This season (25/26) Tuti took his first head coaching job with the London Lions and won 4 trophies his first year!

Today, we talked about his early season challenges as a first time Head Coach and how to recover from heartbreaking losses and steering his team towards new heights to win trophy after trophy his first year. Tuti also shared his experience of being an Assistant coach, what leadership and culture mean to him, preparation, how he balanced his long-distance family-life and much more!

Topics:
00:00 Intro 

1:30 Language fluidity

4:50 Son of "Sabas"

9:00 Young Assistant Coach

12:45 Collecting Database

15:50 Epiphany as an Assistant

19:30 Being a filter

25:39 When do you feel ready?

26:40 ProBallers.com

30:41 Approach in Preparation

35:30 Learning curve

38:40 Mentorship & Discussions

44:00 Recovery after hard losses

49:00 Winning the "Quadruple"
52:00 Culture & Leadership

55:30 Long-distance family life

58:00 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#TautvydasSabonis #Tuti #LondonLions #Zalgiris #Kaunas #Head Coach

Finding Tuti:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tsabonis11/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tautvydas.sabonis.3 

X: https://x.com/Tsabonis11 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#91)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Dražen":

Dražen Orešković’s coaching career has mostly been built as a high-level assistant coach in Croatian and European basketball, with a focus on player development, tactics, and national-team work rather than long-term head-coaching roles. He moved through youth and assistant positions before establishing himself in top-level professional basketball. He has worked as an Assistant Coach at the National Team level with Bosnia as well as Croatia. Also worked in the Euroleague with Khimki basketball and is currently a youth level coach in Aleppo, Syria. He also trained Jusuf Nurkic individually during his time in Portland and shared his experience in the NBA.

Dražen has a rich coaching experience spanning across different cultures and continents and today we talked about all things coaching abroad. From being an assistant coach on the national team level during all competitions as well as his current experience in Syria and how he goes about adapting to a completely new cultures abroad. We also talked about living in the US, him training Jusuf and the Croatian basketball culture change within the team.

Topics:
00:00 Intro

1:38 Why do you coach?

9:45 Developing Jusuf Nurkic

17:45 Youth competition in Syria

41:12 ProBallers.com

47:20 Croatian Basketball crisis & culture

1:08:04 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#DrazenOreskovic #CroatiaBasketball #SyriaBasketball #JusufNurkic #Development

Finding Luka:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/oreskovic.drazen/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drazenoreskovic/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583896873114 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NAUJAS EPIZODAS!

(EP#90)

Jeigu norite palaikiti ši podkasta (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Svetaine: www.bmatke.com

Remejas: www.proballers.com

"Sonko":

Darius Songaila – vienas ryškiausių savo kartos Lietuvos krepšininkų, daugiau nei dešimtmetį rungtyniavęs NBA ir Europos krepšinio elite. Su Lietuvos rinktine jis iškovojo 2003 metų Europos čempionato auksą bei Sidnėjaus olimpinių žaidynių bronzos medalį. 

Baigęs žaidėjo karjerą Songaila pradėjo trenerio kelią kaip asistento vaidmenyje – Žalgiris Kaunas štabe talkino Šarūnas Jasikevičius, o vėliau San Antonio Spurs organizacijoje dirbo šalia Gregg Popovich. 2025 metų vasarą jis treniravo Lietuvos U20 rinktinę, o šį sezoną tapo BC Šiauliai vyr. treneriu.

Šiame epizode su Darius Songaila kalbėjome apie jo kelią nuo NBA žaidėjo iki trenerio darbo aukščiausiame lygyje. Aptarėme NBA naujoko realybę ir linksmas užduotis rūbinėje, darbą trenerių štabe bei patirtį San Antonio Spurs organizacijoje šalia Gregg Popovich. 

Taip pat kalbėjome apie svarbiausias pamokas iš NBA, trenerio filosofiją, pirmuosius žingsnius vyr. trenerio rolėje bei darbą su BC Šiauliai komanda. Ir, žinoma, dar daugiau istorijų iš ilgametės karjeros krepšinyje.

Temos :
00:00 Darius Songaila – Intro

02:00 NBA naujoko užduotys & rūbinės kultūra

08:00 Šiuolaikinis bendravimas ir komunikacija

16:40 Adaptacija Europoje & žaidėjų rekrutavimas

24:50 Tapimas treneriu ir naujo identiteto paieškos

30:00 Trenerio darbas & žaidėjo limitai

41:40 ProBallers.com

49:30 Pirmosios vyr. trenerio pamokos

55:50 Gregg Popovich pamokos ir žinios

1:05:50 Kokį identitetą nori perteikti komandai?

1:14:40 Darbas su sporto direktoriumi / Ginu Rutkausku

1:18:30 Asmeninis gyvenimas ir aukos

1:24:00 ATO situacijos

📢 Prenumeruokite mano „YouTube“ kanalą „The Benas Podcast“, jei norite nepraleisti naujausių epizodų! Šį tinklalaidės epizodą taip pat rasite visose garso platformose.

👍 Paspauskite „Patinka“ ir pasidalykite šiuo podkastu su savo tinklu!

#DariusSongaila #Treneris #NBA #Siauliai #GreggPopovich 

Rasit “The Benas Podcast” čia:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…arba aspilankykite www.bmatke.com .

Komentuokit, spauskit 'like' & dalinkites 'social media' kanaluose:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#89)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Luka":

Luka Bassin is a Slovenian basketball coach, player-development specialist, and scout known in regional European basketball circles. He has coached at youth and senior club levels, including currently as an Assistant coach of KK Ilirija in Ljubljana. He is especially recognized for player development—particularly with young prospects and big men—as well as scouting and tactical basketball education. Overall, he is respected in Slovenia for helping develop talent and contributing to the game behind the scenes.

Today, we talked about the Slovenian basketball system and how it all comes together, the involvement of the Slovenian federation by hiring coaches like him to work with some clubs and try to explain how the Slovenian basketball has evolved over the years.
We also covered the player development part as well as the current NIL/NCAA dynamic with investing in players.

Topics:
00:00 Intro

2:50 Luka's beginnings

8:10 Where does the player development start?

15:35 How much training is too much?

19:15 Best pathway to develop for young guys

22:00 How to gain the player's trust?

25:20 Structure and view of Head Coach

29:40 ProBallers.com

34:10 Impact of Luka Doncic & Development

44:20 NIL & NCAA pathway

51:30 Slovenia Basketball Pyramid

59:40 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#LukaBassin #SloveniaBasketball #Ilirija #SloveniaBasketball

Finding Luka:

X: https://x.com/LukaBassin 

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com 

NEW EPISODE!

(EP#88)

If you want to support this podcast (Ačiū!!):

Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/bmatke 

Homepage: www.bmatke.com

Sponsor: www.proballers.com

"Vlado":

Vlado Micov is a former Euroleague player and current Sports Director for Galatasaray basketball. He has played in several high level clubs around Europe, most notably CSKA, Armani Milano as well as Galatasaray where he currently works as the Sports Director for the FIBA Champions League club.

Vlado and me talked mostly about his time as a player and what he experienced with the different coaches around Europe, his mindset around coaching and what he expected as a player vs what he expects as a front office member. We also touched on topics such as his dog hotel back in Belgrade and other personal matters.

A very insightful episode from the perspective of a former player.

Topics:
00:00 Intro

2:00 First challenges on the job

10:10 Handling emotions player vs front office

14:10 Expectation for the job
18:30 Learning from different coaches
25:10 Expectation from the staff
30:00 Best scouting report
36:30 Observing practices

39:50 Relationship with players
42:10 Relationship with fans and club
45:20 Vision for the team
48:50 Communication with agent
52:00 Break between playing and working
55:30 No laptop and dogs
57:40 ATOs

📢 Subscribe to my YouTube channel The Benas Podcast, if you want to stay updated! You'll find this podcast on all audio platforms as well.

👍 Press „Like“ ir and share this podcast to your network! 

#VladoMicov #SportsDirector #Galatasaray #Basketball #FrontOffice

Finding Vlado:

No chance :)

Finding “The Benas Podcast”:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-podcast/id1558492852?uo=4 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bw5UJNSQLKo0wUybEIza3 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-benas-podcast

…or visit www.bmatke.com to find more info.

Comment, Like & Share here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmatke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmatke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmatke3

www.bmatke.com