From the court to the boardroom — leadership, teamwork, and purpose have been the constants.
Different arena, same commitment to doing things the right way. 🏀
Billy Donovan shares the biggest lesson from back-to-back national championships and what separates great teams from everyone else.
"Tonight, you are playing for the guy next to you. That's who you're playing for. It's bigger than yourself because of the guy next to you."
"I have always been really, really passionate about what really goes into winning. What does it take to win at the highest level?"
"The number one thing I did when we ended up winning back-to-back national championships...I asked: What did the best teams I've been around have? And what didn't the teams that weren't so great have?"
The answer shouldn't surprise you:
"You guys have to love each other. There has to be a deep love for each other."
It starts with the people and the team.
Then he made it real:
"If I said to you guys 20 years from now, 'Tell me about what happened on Saturday afternoon on December whatever date,' you're not gonna remember what happened on that date."
"But if I said, 'Tell me about your teammate' - you'll be able to talk about your teammate pretty openly and honestly."
You always remember the people and how they made you feel.
Then he asked the question that changes everything:
"What are my teammates gonna tell their kids? What are my teammates gonna tell their grandkids about what it was like to play with me?"
"That's your legacy. Your legacy is your relationship with each other."
"That's what the great teams have. All the great teams."
Then he challenged their mindset:
"The harder it is, the better it is. The harder it is, the better it is."
"You've got to put the work and the investment into it for each other. You don't have a choice if you wanna win."
Your legacy is your TEAM and what you do together.
It's not your stats - it's how your teammates remember you.
The goal should be to play with each other and for each other. Great teammates and great people focus on the team.
(🎥@GatorsFB)
Played for Coach Pappas on the 1990 Gordon Tech state runner-up team. Greatest motivator I’ve ever been around. He gave you belief you could accomplish anything and built you up, never tore you down. Teammates for life. His impact went far beyond basketball. Rest in heaven Coach
Thinking of Steve Pappas, an exemplary high school basketball coach who passed away in 2006 after successful runs at Gordon Tech (now De Paul Prep) and Deerfield. Both of his former schools have a chance to win state championships this weekend.
Team culture is everything. Moments like this are where trust and belief get built. Same reason OKC hit a championship level earlier than anyone expected—culture wins long before the scoreboard does
The Knueppel family hosted the @hornets for team dinner the night before Kon’s first NBA game in his hometown of Milwaukee 💕
CHA/MIL • 8pm/et • NBA League Pass
As a former athlete and youth coach in three sports, I couldn’t agree more. Let kids play everything. Let them fail, grow, compete, and fall in love with the game.
If they’re meant to shine, they’ll shine in every arena.
Keep your kids playing multiple sports for as long as possible. Don't listen to club coaches pushing them to specialize. They'll become more well-rounded athletes and people (and far less prone to injury/burnout) if they don't.
If you're good enough, colleges will find you.
Proud of TK. He’s set the bar for excellence for decades — championships, high-character young men, academics, and true Chicago toughness. What he builds year after year is special. Congrats to the next generation!
Congratulations to AJ, Rashaun and Rykan as they signed to their respective universities today. Michigan Tech, Toledo and Brown all will get even better with these high character, talented student/athletes. @DePaulPrep @DePaulPrepAD
Facts 🔥
Real point guards don’t just run the team — they run the game.
They pressure the ball, wreck rhythm, and flip momentum.
They’re the coach on the floor, the heartbeat, the ones who set the tone, demand the standard, and make everyone better.
Great Point guards..
•Control the pace
•Understand mismatches
•Are Coachable
•Throw the ball ahead when possible
•Know time/score at all times
•Defend
•Handle pressure
•Know every position on the floor
•High IQ
•Are leaders
•Know personnel
•Communicate
•Compete