Finishing an Incredible Journey in India and Starting another New Chapter
There were many changes this year. After 12 years working in India for the Basketball Federation and the NBA we have moved back to the U.S. where I will be joining Athletes in Action as the Director of Basketball. Chawn and I are home in Phoenix until we make our way to Ohio in late May or early June. As many of you know, I have lived in Ohio for more than half of my life. It will be great to be nearer to family and to reconnect with so many good friends.
After leaving the NBA Academy in 2024 I spent this last stretch as the National Coach, living in Chennai, and then this past year in Bangalore. Although our national team is usually the underdog we were able to pull off several upsets against teams that were ranked higher than us in the FIBA Rankings. These wins qualified us for the FIBA Asia Cup and the World Cup Qualifiers.
In our last window of the World Cup Qualifiers our opponents were Qatar and Lebanon.
When our team departed out of India on Feb 25th, we had no idea what was coming. We played a game in Qatar on Feb. 27h and then were to leave for Lebanon the next morning. When we came down to the lobby, we were informed that a war had started and all the flights / games were canceled. For the next 10 days we were stuck in the hotel in Qatar. Each day our phones would sound off with alerts and then we would hear and feel the bombs being dropped by Iran. In an intense situation I was very proud of our players as they demonstrated our “Team Above Self” attitude. Just for a distraction I pulled out some or my old retreat games that we played each morning. With the help of the Indian Embassy, we finally were able to take a bus to Dammam, Saudi Arabia and took 2 separate flights to India. I wouldn’t want to go through it again, but it was really a time of spiritual growth for me.
After our return to the U.S., Chawn and I flew to Cali, Colombia to see our son, Preston, and his family. I had the opportunity to conduct a basketball clinic at my grandson’s school.
The best part of this day was having Preston assist me in the clinic, as well as having Thomas, my grandson, as a camper.
I flew from there to Indianapolis for the Final Four and NABC Convention. This is always a rich time of growth, seeing old colleagues, and meeting new friends.
I was informed several weeks ago that I am being honored by the Small College Basketball HOF with the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026. The Awards Show is in Kansas City, MO on April 26. If you are getting this email, I share this award with you. You have all been on my journey at some point and you have made a meaningful impact on my life.
We will enjoy this time of restoration and then I will be more than ready to get back at what I love to do. Athletes in Action will continue to give me a platform for sharing what is even more important in my life. I wish all of you God’s best. SALT & LIGHT
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