ANG - Guimaraes’ vision for Angolan basketball

LUANDA (National team) - Angola assistant coach Jose Carlos Guimaraes played against the best in 1992 when he ran onto the court at the Barcelona Olympics and face the Dream Team.

Though Angola will never reach the stature of that legendary American side that included Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, Guimaraes is determined that his country, nine times champions of Africa, will at least be among the elite sides in the world game.

Guimaraes, who just returned from a 40-day trip to the United States where he spent time with the coaching staffs of Sam Houston State University, and both the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, knows what’s needed.

"We need to invest more in new players,” he said to Julio Chitunda on behalf of FIBA.

“We need at least 22 or 24 players selectable for the national team. We plan a full-year of practicing with young players.

“We are a big country that is chasing a place among the leading countries.

"We have good pavilions, good conditions, but we need to invest more on the human side of things.

“We need more information for our coaches, too. Just as I did (in America), other coaches could go and having similar experiences."

Guimaraes says his journey to America has changed his life.

"It was a great experience,” he said, “meeting and being involved with players and coaches of the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Following the teams in preparation games, I must say that it was a worthwhile experience.”

It was in his 10 days at Sam Houston State University, Guimaraes says, that he learned the most.

"We exchanged experiences,” he said. “I became more involved in practice sessions. It was a memorable experience that I recommend.

"I was delighted with the way they received me. I was surprised with the professionalism in the organizations.

"As result of this contact, they have pledged to promote some camps in Angola. They got very interested in Angola as they heard that we are the nine-time champions of Africa and yet we have do not have any players in NBA.

“Having been a player myself, I also believe I was helped a lot by my contact with NBA teams."

Guimaraes is keen to return and strengthen these his ties with the people he has met in North America.

"Angola have five young players at US Universities who need our [Angola Basketball Federation] attention,” he said.

“We definitely have to monitor those kids’ improvement as they could be useful for us in future."

Guimaraes, who was a small forward on that Angola team in 1992 and poured in 18 points in an upset of host nation Spain, was named assistant coach of Angola right before the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

At that incredible event, Angola reached the last 16 before falling to France.

"The results were good, but I think that our performances were even better,” he said.

“I was delighted with the appearances of our players. Finishing among the last six teams would suit us. But for, now the top-eight is our main goal.”

Angola’s coaches have their work cut out for them.

"Too many teams know our style of play already, which makes it more difficult for us,” he said. “We have to keep working harder.

If there is a name that stands out in Angolan Basketball history it is Jose Carlos Guimaraes.

In 1980, he helped his country lift their African Junior title.

Nine years later, Guimaraes and Co lifted the country’s first African title in Luanda.

Since then Guimaraes, who played most of his career in Portugal, Belgium and England, has wanted to use his experience to help Angola.

"I am involved in development project with youth in the province of Cabinda,” he said.

“It is an amazing experience as it involves around 1300 children of public schools who are eager to play basketball.

"There [at province Cabinda], we have Misto de Cabinda, the fourth strongest team in Angola.

Angola’s most recent success happened in August when they hosted the FIBA Africa Championship and captured their ninth continental title.

"Winning the ninth was a unique moment as it was my first African title as assistant coach," he said proudly.

Angola simply cannot rest on their laurels, he says.

"We have the responsibility to correct some mistakes,” he said.

“Winning so many African titles doesn’t help us to correct some mistakes. We can’t see what is wrong within the team, but we feel that there are some mistakes in Olympics and World Championships.”

Angola are not the only African country with big aspirations.

"Nigeria have done well, but against Germany (eighth-final) they showed some tiredness, even though this is not an excuse,” he said. “They deserved some credit for their performances.”

Guimaraes is to present a report to the Angola Basketbal Federation (FAB) following his trip to the US and one of the points he will raise is the issue of training and not just before major tournaments.

"Having a long time to prepare before the big tournaments, like the African Championship, World Cup or Olympic Games, is not enough for our ambitions,” he said.

“We need to have ongoing preparations throughout the year. This is one of the major points I will present in my report to the FAB.

Angola are going to the Olympics, and Guimaraes expects Cameroon to start competing at the same level in he near future.

Cameroon will play in the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament after reaching the final of the FIBA Africa championship with 6-1 record before falling to the Angolans in the title game.

"Cameroon played a wonderful game,” Guimaraes said. “They were a wonderful surprise. I was delighted with them. They showed a different manner of playing in Africa.

“Cape Verde did well, but Cameroon were even better."

What about those who want to become a coach one day?

Guimaraes says it’s simple.

"Working hard; education [a coach to be must be well informed]; not fearing to consult the best-informed coaches; respect everyone who he [or she] works with; invest in yourself.”

How long with Guimaraes be content to be an assistant coach? There has been speculation in Africa that other African countries are eager to sign up him up.

"Yes, I have been approached to coach South Africa and there has been some contact with Senegal. But for now, what I want is to help my country.

"It is nice that other countries are showing interest in me. It means that they acknowledge the hard work of the Angolans.”

Julio Chitunda
FIBA