Hoops Abroad: Surviving and Thriving as a Basketball Coach in Foreign Lands with Travis McAvene
Travis McAvene, a basketball coach with extensive experience overseas, shares his journey in coaching. He has coached in several countries, including the Dominican Republic and Taiwan over a 26-year period.
Travis emphasises the importance of networking and taking risks to progress in the coaching industry. He also discusses coaching challenges in foreign countries, such as language barriers and cultural adjustments.
Travis highlights the need for perseverance and sacrifice in pursuing a career in basketball coaching, as the financial rewards may not always be substantial. He encourages players and coaches to be open to opportunities outside of the US and to be willing to adapt to different playing styles and environments.
The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of playing basketball overseas. Coach McAvene emphasises the importance of being aggressive and competitive, as the overseas basketball world is cutthroat and demands high performance. He advises players to educate themselves on the business side of the game and to have a long-term plan for their careers.
Mexico is recommended as a good starting point for players looking to gain experience overseas. Coach McAvene also discusses the significance of finding players who fit his coaching style and have the right attitude and personality to thrive in a foreign country.
Financial education and planning for life after basketball are also highlighted as crucial aspects of the overseas experience.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:24 Coaching Opportunities Overseas
08:31 Networking and Taking Risks
12:01 Challenges and Sacrifices in Overseas Coaching
15:18 Language Barriers and Cultural Differences
22:33 Contract Negotiations and Finances
26:21 Being Aggressive and Competitive in Basketball Overseas
28:05 Navigating the Cut-throat World of Coaching and Playing Overseas
34:06 Financial Education and Planning for a Secure Future