"A lot of coaches heard the accent and they'd say straight away this Alex guy can't coach! Sarama, however, would not be dissuaded. So, it's been great! he says with a laugh. It's given me a real chip on my shoulder to go the extra mile to make sure I'm meticulous knowing my stuff. Because at the end of the day, the players don't care. The players just respect you if you're competent, if you make them better."
"While basketball is a religion to many in the United States, It was never nearly as important in the UK. Still, as he got older, the game drew Sarama in. I think the fact that basketball wasn't as popular made me even more determined, he says. Even when all my friends were playing other sports. Indeed, where there's a will there's a way."
Alex Sarama, British-born, was named head coach of the WNBA expansion team Portland Fire on 28 October. He faced skepticism early in his coaching career because of his accent and nationality, which motivated him to be meticulous and work harder. Sarama began coaching in his mid-teens and founded the Guildford Goldhawks, growing it into a major youth team. He originally played soccer and tennis, but basketball increasingly appealed to him despite the sport's lower profile in the UK. Believing he could not be a top-level player, he pursued coaching to reach the highest level. His competence and record of improving players earned their respect.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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