Home Africa If Coaches get better, players get better- Mutombo

If Coaches get better, players get better- Mutombo

July 2, 2020

Mutombo 1 — LOS ANGELES, CA - October 5: Assistant Coach Patrick Mutombo of the Toronto Raptors is photographed during warm-ups before the game against the LA Clippers on October 5, 2016 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California USA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Patrick Mutombo has directly linked player performance to coaching and has called for coaches to get better as a means to improve basketball in Africa.

He made this statement in an interview on BAL Hang Time-a dedicated channel to the Basketball Africa League-where he also touched on the potential of the continental championship to popularize the sport in Africa.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Patrick Mutombo coaches Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

“The coach transmits his knowledge but also his lack of knowledge. If our coaches get better, of course our players will also get better” he said.

BAL was scheduled to commence in March this year but had to be indefinitely suspended due to the corona virus pandemic. 12 teams from countries like Rwanda, Morocco and Nigeria were scheduled to compete in the maiden edition.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 1: Kenneth Faried #35 and Nate Robinson #5 encourage Assistant Coach Patrick Mutombo of the Denver Nuggets during practice prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 1, 2014 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

After spending four years at Metropolitan State University, Mutombo’s playing career as a pro lasted seven years before serving as an Assistant Coach for Denver Nuggets and Austin Spurs before joining Toronto.