MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA 3x3 athletes were among dozens of elite men’s and women’s basketball players to graduate from FIBA’s TIME-OUT education program in Mies, Switzerland, this week – bringing a close to the program’s successful third edition. The year-long program offers FIBA athletes from across the globe the opportunity to explore further education, in partnership with Northumbria University in the UK, and gain important qualifications ahead of their transition into life after basketball.
In total, 45 registered athletes received accredited university degrees, following in the footsteps of 128 alumni who graduated from the TIME-OUT program during its first two editions. Among them, Vega Gimeno – a Paris 2024 Olympic 3x3 silver medallist with the Spanish women’s 3x3 basketball team – says her ambition is to continue working in basketball when she eventually retires from the game, with a focus on women’s basketball.
“My ambition is to continue working in basketball, but from a different perspective – off the court,” Vega, 34, expands. “I want to be involved in player development, event organization, and representation (especially focused on women’s basketball). Through the TIME-OUT program, I’ve gained essential knowledge in sports management, marketing, and leadership, which directly supports my goal of creating impactful projects and initiatives that promote the growth of the sport.
“As athletes, our careers on the court are relatively short. It’s crucial to start thinking about ‘what’s next’ before the final whistle blows. Planning for life after basketball gives me a sense of direction and security. It also helps me stay motivated, knowing that I’m building something for my future. I want to stay connected to the sport I love and contribute to it in a meaningful way, and that requires preparation, education, and vision.”
Arvin Slagter, a Paris 2024 gold medallist with the Netherlands men’s 3x3 basketball team, says the TIME-OUT program was “an opportunity to grow and invest in myself, to widen and expand my network, and discover what it was I wanted to do after basketball”.
“One of the areas I have been interested in is building new connections, while inspiring and passing on the things that basketball has taught me,” Arvin continues. “So, with the business-management course, I saw an opportunity to get a better insight into what happens behind the scenes. I’ve always been a player and now I have a better idea of how people working in the background have helped facilitate my playing career.”
Arvin, 39, who also runs his own youth basketball camp, says his goal has always been “to give something back” to the sport, helping to “inspire and give forward to” the next generation and nurture “their love for the game”. “I am currently learning on the go,” he continues, “while already being able to implement some of the lessons I’ve learnt over this past year within my own projects – including my own basketball camp – and looking at how to ensure the work I am doing is professional both on and off the court.”
Among the graduates, Austria’s FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2024 winner, Enis Murati, 37, dreams of working in the education sector, outlining his ambition to combine his focus on sports and biology with coaching and player development. “I want to guide and help others grow, both on and off the court,” he continues. “My studies have taught me how to develop leadership skills, reflect on myself and others, and support people in reaching their goals.
“I’ve also learned how to manage and organize sports events, which is something I really enjoy and see as part of my future. Everything I’ve studied connects directly to the kind of career I want after my playing days are over. I’ve seen too many colleagues finish their careers without a plan and struggle to find a path afterward. You also never know when injuries might force an early retirement.
“When a basketball career ends, things move on quickly, and as athletes we can easily feel left on our own. That’s why having a plan beforehand is crucial. It gives you stability, options, and a smoother transition into the next stage of life.”
The TIME-OUT program, first launched in 2017, is held every two years during the EuroBasket season – to provide its participants with first-hand experience of how basketball is governed during competition. The program targets national-team players and welcomes national federations to recommend two athletes to participate. Elisabeth Cebrian Scheurer, Head of Projects and Programs, and Women in Basketball at FIBA Europe, says one of the primary goals of the TIME-OUT program – while athletes will have their own ambitions inside and outside of basketball – is to “identify elite players who want to work in the business of sport and provide them with the education they require”.
“We know the difficult steps players are faced with when they retire from basketball,” Elisabeth continues. “They may receive fewer calls or have a lot more empty days, so that’s where this type of program also helps our athletes on their personal growth journey – to keep their mind busy and to find their purpose post-basketball. By having the weight of a university behind the program, it gives our athletes options to perhaps also pursue further study with the university and gain business-leadership skills they can take forward with them.
“In many cases, our goal is to retain players in our ecosystem – whether you are an elite male or female player – and help them to expand their scope and understand the business and governance of sport. We want them to go back to work with their federations and help the governance in their home countries. That’s why we’ve opened the door to the federations, to help nurture a diversity of thought and culture throughout the FIBA ecosystem.”
Italy’s Chiara Consolini, 37, says her dream is to join the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) with a focus on growing 3x3 basketball. “After retiring from professional play, I would like to stay involved in the world of basketball, which has been such a big part of my life,” Chiara says. “I'm very interested in continuing along the path I’m studying at university and through the TIME-OUT program — working in club management as a team manager or general manager.
“However, my real dream is to join the federation and focus on 3x3 basketball. That format has played a truly meaningful role in my career, and I’d love to help it grow. I want to show other athletes the opportunities and satisfaction it can offer. For me, planning my post-playing career is important because I’ve seen people close to me struggle with that transition. I know what it means to be unprepared and unsure about what to do next. Right now, I’m not afraid of the future, because I know I’m taking the right steps to build it.”
Speaking on the challenges of studying alongside her playing commitments, Vega says it has been a testing time during “intense competition periods”, which has been made much easier to manage with “the flexibility and structure” of the TIME-OUT program. “I’ve learned how to be more efficient with my time and to prioritize tasks,” Vega continues. “This experience has not only helped me academically but has also improved my organization and time management skills – qualities I know will be key in my future career.”
Enis concurs, outlining the “resilience” required to “dedicate most of my free time to studying” during the FIBA 3x3 season. “The fact that the program was online really helped, and the people from TIME-OUT were very supportive,” he adds. “They understand what it’s like to be a professional athlete and made sure we stayed aware of the importance of preparing for the future. My studies also gave me a lot of new knowledge that I could immediately apply to my training and games, which made the learning process even more valuable.”
Commenting, Chiara says: “At the beginning, it wasn’t easy to organize everything with university classes, exams, and all the FIBA activities. But once I found the right balance and kept a close eye on all the deadlines, I was able to carve out the time I needed to study and complete the course during the competitive season.”
Arvin, who is currently helping to build a new 3x3 basketball team in Spain, including men’s, women’s and Paralympic playing outfits, says the transition into life after basketball is going to be about “figuring out” where he wants to land his post-playing career.
“I wanted to play another full season post-Olympics, so the balance of training, travel, and study has been challenging,” Arvin expands. “After I stopped playing, it was easier to plan and structure. Winning the Olympic gold medal has really changed my life; I now have more opportunities at hand.”