ALL OF THE GREAT basketball programs, at every level of the game, share certain undeniable traits. Understand, this isn’t just about teams, but programs—places where standards are set and upheld, expectations are daunting by default and excellence is sustained. And without fail, the programs that manage to achieve such heights know there are some steps you just can’t skip.
Culture. The great ones know what they’re about.
Talent. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but you can’t be elite without it.
Coaching. Somebody to set that standard. Somebody to bring in—and develop—that talent.
Oh, and one more thing: When it comes to the people within such programs, particularly the head coach, there’s a very strong tendency toward obsessiveness. You can find a prime example just outside of Orlando, FL, where a certain private school has become arguably the most successful program—and the most productive pipeline of NBA talent—in the world.
Joel Embiid. D’Angelo Russell. RJ Barrett. Ben Simmons. 2022
