Coaches use FIBA U17 World Championship as chance to learn from top leaders

DUBAI (FIBA U17 World Championship) - A total of 187 coaches from around the world used the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship as an opportunity to learn lessons about the sport from some of the biggest names in the coaching industry.

The coaches took part in the three-day International Basketball Coaches Clinic 2014 and included former Spain national team coach Sergio Scariolo, the USA's play caller at the tournament in Dubai, Don Showalter as well as Japan national teams coordinator Torsten Loibl, Rob Beveridge of Australia and Veselin Matic, the former coach of the national teams of Iran, Poland and Libya.

"The number of coaches who came were higher than we expected, which is a very good sign," said Matic, who lectured on the topic of zone offense to the coaches, who came predominantly from the Middle East.

"People always expect to learn new things and I think the coaches really learned a lot from the topic."

Matic said he really enjoyed learning from Beveridge and also was intrigued to see what Loibl was doing with the Japanese coaches.

Scariolo said the increase in the number of coaches from about 50 at the last clinic in Dubai to nearly 200 was an "excellent sign of development and improvement".

"Of course it's only a small step or signal of growing in terms of professionalism, mentality and commitment for the coaches to improve and help basketball get better in this area," said the Italian, who lectured on offensive transition involving big men.

"The fact that the World Championship was being played at the same time helped that more coaches could come in."

FIBA