Fullcourt Passport

In this episode of Fullcourt Passport, hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan Nachbar sit down with longtime overseas pro and consultant Sean McCaw to break down what American players must understand before pursuing a professional basketball career in Europe.McCaw explains why overseas basketball is more popular than ever—yet widely misunderstood. From the reality that EuroLeague represents only the top 1%, to the truth about monthly salaries, “starter countries,” second divisions, and why adaptability is the No. 1 survival skill, this episode delivers a candid roadmap for players navigating the international game.The conversation also explores NIL expectations vs. European pay, how players climb the European ladder, the role of agents, due diligence on teams, and why European player development continues to produce NBA superstars. Plus: a deep dive into the NBA-Europe debate, coaching culture differences, and why team fit matters more than reputation.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 Welcome to Fullcourt Passport0:31 Introducing Sean McCaw (SJM Consulting)1:25 Boki’s basketball camp & European development culture2:41 Why overseas basketball is now “in vogue”3:55 EuroLeague exposure & the myth of easy money5:01 Reality check: EuroLeague = top 1%7:10 NIL money vs. starting over in Europe7:55 The most important skill: adaptability8:53 NBA Europe: hype vs. reality11:18 Starter countries & second-division pathways14:10 Why European Cup games matter16:02 How players should research teams & contracts19:31 Why Sean McCaw stayed in Europe21:14 European teaching vs. U.S. “highlight culture”23:33 Why international players dominate today’s NBA32:28 Mike D’Antoni’s impact on European basketball41:03 Why EuroLeague isn’t easy—even for former NBA players45:14 Game of the Week: Olympiacos vs Virtus50:26 Final thoughts & wrap-up#FullcourtPassport #EuroLeague #OverseasBasketball #InternationalBasketball #ProBasketball #BasketballLife #NIL #Hoops #BasketballDevelopment

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos joins Ric Bucher and Boki Nachbar on Fullcourt Passport for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from Brazilian pro basketball to the NBA, why he’s effectively the lone “born-and-raised” Brazilian currently in the league, and how his game transformed once he landed with the Warriors organization.Gui breaks down how signing a pro contract with Minas changed his path (and removed the college option at the time), what it was like learning to thrive without the ball alongside Stephen Curry, and the key mindset shift he had to make in the G League with Santa Cruz: defense, spacing, quick decisions, and doing the work that doesn’t always show up in the box score.He also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of the Nike Hoop Summit year disrupted by the pandemic, why he pulled out of the 2021 NBA Draft after realizing the athletic gap, and what he improved to make a major leap into 2022. Plus: thoughts on the pipeline of Brazilian talent (including his brother), the appeal of FIBA/Euro basketball, and why he still dreams of one day getting the chance to play point guard and run the show—with the Warriors, Brazil, or beyond. #Gui Santos, #Golden State Warriors, #Brazilbasketball, BrazilianNBA#player, #SantaCruzWarriors, #GLeaguedevelopment, #StephenCurry, #FIBAbasketball, #EuroLeague, #NikeHoopSummit, #NBADraft2021, #Minas, #Brazilnationalteam

Women’s basketball is exploding — in the NCAA, WNBA and around the world. 🏀In this episode of Fullcourt Passport, Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar are joined by special guest Rachel Galligan — former D1 standout, three-time Hall of Famer, ex-pro, longtime analyst and CEO of Go Global Recruiting — to break down where the women’s game is right now and where it’s headed next.They dive into:Why women’s basketball is as popular and profitable as it’s ever beenHow stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have elevated the WNBAThe WNBA CBA negotiations: revenue share, salaries, facilities & player benefitsThe rise of unrivaled, Project B and global leagues challenging the status quoHow European development (Spain, France, etc.) differs from the U.S. grassroots & AAU sceneWhy more international players are choosing the NCAA route & NILThe real pros and cons of the transfer portalHow players and parents should choose the right college fit (not just chase NIL money)Later, Ric and Boki connect it all back to their EuroLeague world: roster building, culture, and why not every great player fits every system.00:00 – Intro: Ric, Boki & Rachel’s 3x Hall of Fame résumé03:00 – State of women’s basketball in the U.S. and worldwide08:00 – WNBA CBA: revenue share, salaries & facilities players won’t accept anymore15:00 – New leagues (Unrivaled, Project B) and global competition for talent21:00 – U.S. vs European development: AAU culture vs team basketball & IQ28:00 – Why international players are now drawn to NCAA & NIL35:00 – WNBA’s biggest product issue: roster spots, injuries & “junior team” ideas41:00 – Transfer portal & NIL: Rachel’s advice to players, parents & agents46:00 – Ric & Boki react: COVID, fit, loyalty and development paths#FullcourtPassport #RachelGalligan #WomensBasketball #WNBA #WNBACBA #NCAAW #NIL #TransferPortal #EuroLeagueWomen #GlobalBasketball #GoGlobalRecruiting #RicBucher #BostjanNachbar #BasketballPodcast #SportsBusiness

This week on Fullcourt Passport, Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar sit down with Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon—former EuroLeague champion, Final Four MVP, and one of the most globally experienced executives in the NBA.From the wildest EuroLeague week of the season—coach departures, fan chaos, and the unresolved Partizan–Obradović saga—to the stunning move by Finnish prospect Miikka Muurinen, the show sets the stage for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of worldwide basketball.Then Trajan joins to discuss:• How playing overseas shaped his vision as an NBA executive • What he learned under Ettore Messina, Coach K, and the San Antonio Spurs • Why chemistry and continuity matter more than raw talent • Why some international stars thrive in the NBA—and why others don’t • What today’s global basketball landscape means for scouting, culture building, and the next wave of NBA prospectsThis is one of the most insightful episodes ever recorded on Fullcourt Passport—a masterclass in the connection between EuroLeague culture and NBA winning environments.#FullcourtPassport #TrajanLangdon #RicBucher #BokiNachbar #EuroLeague #Pistons #NBA #InternationalBasketball #EuroLeagueNews #MikaMurinen #Partizan #Obradovic #CSKA #EttoreMessina #NBAGlobal #UnitedWeCast

Bronx native and FC Barcelona guard Kevin Punter joins Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar on Fullcourt Passport (part of the United WeCast Network) to break down what it really takes for an American to become a EuroLeague star.From the Partizan–Red Star Belgrade rivalry he says beats Lakers–Celtics “by a landslide,” to getting a Serbian passport, turning down NBA two-way offers, and finding his prime at Barça, Punter gives a brutally honest masterclass in surviving — and thriving — in European basketball.Ric and Boki then zoom out to discuss the path from smaller European clubs to EuroLeague, why some Americans never make it overseas, and how international stars like Lauri Markkanen and Luka Dončić are reshaping the NBA. They close with a breakdown of Barça vs. Efes, and why this might be the most competitive EuroLeague season ever.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:35 – Introducing Kevin Punter Bronx roots, Tennessee, FIBA Champions League Final Four MVP, ABA League Finals MVP, and now a standout guard at FC Barcelona.01:20 – Inside the Partizan vs. Red Star Belgrade rivalry Kevin explains why the Serbian derby beats any NBA rivalry — including Lakers–Celtics and Cavs–Warriors — and why you have to feel it in person.04:20 – First taste of European basketball pressure From Poland to AEK Athens, the Greek Cup Final vs. Olympiacos, and a packed OAKA in the FIBA Champions League Final Four.06:50 – Agents, education & choosing Europe over chasing the NBA How his agents taught him what EuroLeague is, the money, the levels, and why understanding the business changed his career path.08:30 – Getting a Serbian passport & national team talk10:10 – Why Kevin succeeded where other Americans didn’t Summer “lab work,” obsession with improvement, and attacking every perceived weakness year after year.12:40 – Turning down NBA two-way deals & letting the NBA dream go16:00 – Adapting his game to the EuroLeague style19:30 – Handling EuroLeague pressure & staying employed Always having to prove himself, living with the fear of being cut, and why “wanting it that bad” is the only way through.21:20 – Prime years at Barcelona & perspective on the grind23:30 – Best off-court memories: Partizan family in Belgrade27:00 – Respecting the long road to EuroLeague30:10 – Lauri Markkanen, EuroBasket & international NBA stars34:50 – National team vs NBA: confidence, roles & perception38:00 – The brotherhood of international players & Balkan ties41:00 – EuroLeague Game of the Week: Barça vs Efes Breakdown of Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes, Xavi Pascual’s first game back at Barça, Jan Vesely’s performance and the late-game collapse.44:30 – Is this the most competitive EuroLeague season ever?#KevinPunter #FullcourtPassport #RicBucher #BokiNachbar #EuroLeague #FCBarcelona #Partizan #RedStar #BelgradeDerby #SerbianBasketball #InternationalBasketball #EuroHoops

On this episode of Fullcourt Passport (United WeCast Network), hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar sit down with Zaza Pachulia—Golden State Warriors basketball operations consultant, two-time NBA champion, Turkish League champion, and the namesake of not one but two NBA rules (the “Zaza rule” on closeout space and the All-Star voting change sparked by Georgia’s fan surge).Zaza opens up about:What a Warriors basketball operations consultant actually does—bridging ownership, partnerships, and the hoops side, mentoring young players, and being the “connective tissue” of the organization.The evolution of respect for international players and why the NBA’s global talent boom is here to stay.International influence in front offices and on benches—how teams like the Spurs (and exec trees that reached Denver and beyond) normalized global voices, and why the NBA is a copycat league that follows winning models.Paris Basketball → NBA pipeline: why multiple NBA head coaches (including Tuomas Iisalo in Memphis) are emerging from Europe’s modern systems, and how the EuroLeague style translates stateside with less practice time.Georgia’s national team and Toko Shengelia’s unmatched commitment—plus what it teaches the next generation about leadership, sacrifice, and culture.Origins in “darkness”—growing up in Tbilisi amid blackouts, moving to Turkey at 14, and the life-changing impact of his first coach, Zura.The mindset that carried him through 16 NBA seasons: “Success isn’t owned; it’s rented—and the rent is due every day.”Also: Boki and Ric unpack how international coaching philosophies (pace, spacing, team actions) are reshaping both the NBA and EuroLeague—and what young players must embrace to thrive.Chapters/Keywords: Zaza Pachulia, Golden State Warriors, NBA rules, Zaza rule, All-Star voting change, international players, EuroLeague, Paris Basketball, Tuomas Iisalo, Spurs culture, Denver Nuggets, Toko Shengelia, Georgia basketball, Turkish League, youth development, front office careers, coaching pathway, United WeCast Network.Subscribe and rate Fullcourt Passport for weekly conversations at the intersection of NBA and international basketball—from EuroLeague trends to global player development and coaching.

In this episode of Fullcourt Passport (United WeCast Network), hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar sit down with Beno Udrih—two-time NBA champion, former Spurs guard, and current head coach of the Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate). Udrih explains his player-to-coach journey, why the G League is the fastest classroom in basketball, and the European principles he uses to build NBA-ready guards.Udrih breaks down:What a modern head coach manages daily: medical, front office, staff, and constant G League roster churn.Teaching flow offense, spacing, and pass-first reads—including why the ball must hit the corner.The lost art of the mid-range: footwork, timing, pick-and-roll pacing, and when analytics miss context.Coaching Gen-Z pros: listening first, aligning expectations vs. goals, and what actually earns NBA call-ups.Influences from Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, and Stan Van Gundy—and building a no-double-standards culture.Inside Žalgiris Kaunas’ Final Four run with Šarūnas Jasikevičius and elite ATO play-calling.Why NBA teams increasingly covet international fundamentals as the league shifts to movement, versatility, and decision-making.Luka Dončić segment — conditioning, style fit & longevity Ric and Boki dive deep on Luka Dončić:Why he looks leaner and more explosive, how national-team summers can help readiness and stress durability.The reality of a long pro mileage (turning pro as a teen) and what it means for career longevity—can Luka keep this level of conditioning for years, not months?High usage rate vs. the NBA’s move toward motion offense and shared creation—what roster builds (rim threats, 3-and-D shooters who accept fewer touches) maximize Luka without burning him out.Cultural lens: why many international stars don’t request trades, the emotional whiplash of a franchise icon being moved, and how European “club as family” roots color Luka’s response to change.Plus: Boki and Ric react to El Clásico—Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona—and what it reveals about EuroLeague execution, depth, and star roles.00:00 – Intro: Ric Bucher & Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar welcome Beno Udrih  02:45 – Transition from player to coach: finding his purpose  09:30 – G League challenges & managing players  15:10 – Midrange mastery and teaching footwork fundamentals  23:00 – Coaching influences: Popovich, Spoelstra & Van Gundy  28:45 – Zalgiris Final Four run & ATO play-calling  34:20 – International fundamentals & NBA evolution  41:00 – Luka Dončić discussion: conditioning, longevity & style of play  52:10 – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (El Clásico) recap  59:00 – Closing thoughts & next episode preview👇 Subscribe, rate, and review for weekly conversations bridging EuroLeague and the NBA—from foreign stars and Americans overseas to the next wave with NBA potential.

On this episode of Fullcourt Passport (United WeCast Network), hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar sit down with Donatas Motiejunas—six-year NBA veteran and current Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) power forward—to unpack Red Star’s mid-season turnaround and what truly drives winning in the EuroLeague. Motiejunas explains the leadership and locker-room standards that helped spark Belgrade’s six-game streak, why “lead by example” still matters, and how the Red Star fan culture compares to anywhere he has played.Motiejunas also gets candid about an NBA career interrupted by injury, what he learned through recovery and reinvention, and the on-court/organizational differences between the NBA and EuroLeague—from daily pressure and roles to practice habits and player development. Plus, D-Mo shares rare stories from the China CBA (Shandong Golden Stars): how local teammates embraced him as family, what it takes to succeed as a foreign player, and how adapting to culture is as important as adapting to a playbook.If you care about global hoops—EuroLeague tactics, NBA vs. Europe, Red Star/Crvena Zvezda, AS Monaco ties, leadership, and players’ rights—this conversation delivers insider detail you won’t hear anywhere else.