BuzzerBeater Forums

Hello USA members!

Antwon leaving the USA U21 coaching seat feels like Mike Krzyzewski leaving the bench at Duke, it is the end of an era. Dedicated managers like Ant, GForce, Yuck, and EBW have given a lot to this program over the years, and it is time for a new generation of managers and trainers to take a step forward so that the USA can keep it's status as a world powerhouse in the seasons to come.

Antwon graciously allowed me into the USA Staff Chat a few seasons ago, and while I have been relatively quiet, seeing what goes into the game planning and player building process has given me a lot of knowledge that I can use as the new U21 coach. In my personal life, I have a pretty relaxed job, so I will be able to put the time in scouting our players, opposition players, and reaching out to managers that are training our players. Another thing I am looking to focus on, like Azariah, is increasing the discord participation for new users especially, as I think the community factor is a primary reason people will stick around in this game, and personally, I think training a u21 player is a great learning experience for new managers.

On the court, I think the way we build our players is pretty optimized, and I certainly won't be changing much in that regard, although I do think there are opportunities for experimentation with some specialized builds in the future. For example, we've been running into a lot of EU teams with a $160,000 salary PF that can ISO ball us out of the world final, and I would like to see if there is a build we can come up with that can neutralize that player even more than we already do. I think we are in a unique position in that we can do a lot of testing in the Americas tournament that our EU counterparts can't do, due to the win-now stakes they face every season.

In summary, I believe I have a good understanding of player building and the U21 meta to lead us forward over the coming seasons. I have close ties to multiple former U21 coaches that will be there to guide me when I have questions or need advice on a player as well. I hope I've said enough here to earn your vote, but if you have questions please post them in the debate thread or shoot me a message on the US discord, public or privately!

-Nikebones

P.S. - Unlike Antwon, I will run a Princeton at some point

Dear US Basketball Selection Committee,

My name is BNBC. I coach the Bunior neymar Basketball Club, and in my very first season, I led the team to a championship title in the fourth division through the playoffs.

I know what you are thinking. I do not have national team experience. My résumé is shorter than my competitors. But that is exactly the point.

Experience can build comfort. Comfort builds routine. Routine kills ambition.

I bring something different. I bring hunger. I am young, I move fast, and I am not afraid to take risks. Those qualities are not weaknesses. They are the engine behind every underdog story this sport has ever told.

For the U21 program, my approach is clear:
- I will scout widely and pick players on potential, not reputation.
- I will build a culture where young athletes compete without fear.
- I will work closely with the staff and embrace every perspective in the room.

The coaches competing against me have more years. I have more to prove. That difference will show on the court.

Give me this opportunity. I will not waste it.

Respectfully,
BNBC
Head Coach, Buzzer Beater Club

Hello my fellow Americans,
I am manager FeelthePressure, as I did 2 seasons ago I running again to be your U21 manager. I covered my major achievements in my speech last cycle, so I am going to keep it short here. I have trained many players since S47 including a few for the USA U21 team. I have 8 seasons managing the U21 teams of South Africa and Cyprus. I have been in the USA discord and working with the other managers for some time as well. The major difference between 2 seasons ago and now is that I have much more time to focus on the U21 team than before with my team in rebuild mode.

Our U21 development is already one of the best in the worlds. We don’t need a revolution, all we need is someone to continue to build and finish what Antwon started. I feel like I can do that. At the end of the day though, we all have the same goal, getting the Gold back to the USA!