“He Answered Every Single Question I Had”: Ex-NBA Star Talks About Coach K’s Impact on His Basketball Career and Beyond

Coach K might’ve hung up his boots, but his teachings continue to impact the game. His influence has always been reflected in his players on the court. However, his guidance impacted beyond the hardwood, which changed the lives of many, including an ex-NBA star.

As one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, Coach K led the Blue Devils to 5 National Championship victories, along with 13 Final Fours. He broke the record of 902 victories by his former coach Bob Knight by winning 903 national titles as a coach. He also became the first Division I men’s coach ever to win 1000 championships. These feats often surface in the contemporary conversations and cement his place among the greats of the game.

Carlos Boozer reminisces about Coach K’s teachings

In a recent podcast featured on KTOO, ex-NBA star Carlos Boozer Junior joins the discussion about his new book titled – ‘Every Shot Counts: A Memoir of Resilience’. As the conversation proceeds, Carlos talks about Coach K being an important part of his college life and being a father figure to him.

Carlos says, “Yeah, I have been very fortunate to have Coach K in my life since I was 17. you know I graduated high school in 1999, a 17-year-old kid, and got to campus down in Durham, Duke and you know coach embraced me, challenged me, um he was one of those father figure types, you know I have a great father but, being away from home. When you leave high school for that next chapter, it’s a big decision.”

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Apart from being a basketball headman, Coach K also had a strong impact in shaping Boozer’s other aspects of life.

Coach K making an impact

As the conversation moved forward, Carlos elaborated on Coach K’s impact saying, “Coach K is one of those guys who’ll tell you straight up like, this is how you’re gonna become a better basketball player. What makes Coach K so special is that his teachings and his lessons go well beyond the basketball court. He is a guy that will be there for you, uh he is a guy that’s loyal. Some of the words I think about Coach K is a motivator, you know one of the best motivators I have ever been around, he is also a nurturer in a lot of regards.”

Carlos shares the best advice that was given to him by Coach K: “One of the best advice that he ever gave me is how important family is, whether that’s your husband, your spouse, your wife, whether that’s your children, or if you guys older and you have grandchildren, whatever your family is, don’t be afraid to tell people – you know I have a meeting. He said you are gonna go to the NBA, you’re an NBA star, people are gonna call you for your time, you gotta be able to say ‘I’m a dad now, you know I’m a husband now, you know I have a family, I’m sorry I gotta meeting.”

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What are your thoughts on Coach K as a motivating and nurturing coach? Tell us in the comments.