The 6th Generation of the EHCB Program Is About to Begin – December 2025

If you’re not yet familiar with EHCB or what the program is about, I’d like to share my personal experience.

I was fortunate to discover this project from its very beginning and to be part of the first generation of assistants. To this day, I remain involved as part of the “Ambassador” program.

My Beginnings with EHCB

In 2020, I started the eight-month EHCB program without really knowing what to expect. After many years participating in federation courses, clinics, private programs, and international events, I thought I had already seen it all. However, this experience exceeded every expectation I had.

From the very first moment, the impact was remarkable. The program combines top-level online theoretical training, taught by professors from the University of Belgrade, covering every aspect of basketball — technical, tactical, psychological, and physical — and complemented by exclusive talks with EuroLeague coaches.

Learning from the Best

The theoretical part alone was already of the highest standard, but listening each week to some of the brightest minds in basketball was something truly exceptional. I had the privilege of learning from Zeljko Obradovic, Dimitris Itoudis, Pablo Laso, Xavi Pascual, Sergio Scariolo, Chus Mateo, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Ettore Messina, Giannis Sfairopoulos, among many others.

Being able to listen, learn, and even interact with them over several months was a deeply enriching and inspiring experience, far beyond what I could have imagined.

The On-Site Experience

After completing the online phase, we were all looking forward to the in-person congress, which that year took place in Antalya, Turkey, featuring four intense days of on-court clinics.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 situation, I was unable to attend that first edition, though I did participate in later ones — both in Antalya and in the most recent event held in Athens, Greece.

The Ambassador Program

From the very beginning, I also joined the “Ambassador” program, which allows former participants to return for future generations, attend the congress again, and take part in sessions as if they were students once more.

Five generations later, the program continues to innovate and raise its standards. Over the years, it has expanded to include university professors, EuroLeague and EuroCup coaches, assistant coaches, referees, strength and conditioning coaches, and even hands-on experiences with EuroLeague, EuroCup, NBA teams, and U.S. academies, enriching both the online and in-person components.

You can find all the updated information on the official EHCB links below.

https://headcoaches.org/

A Unique Opportunity

In the summer of 2024, as I was preparing to attend the third congress in Glyfada (Greece), I received a professional opportunity I could have never imagined.

I was selected by the organization for an interview with Coach Sergio Scariolo, head coach of the Spanish National Team, with the goal of joining his staff and learning firsthand about the preparation process for a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

For 40 days, I was part of the coaching staff, contributing on the court and assisting with scouting of the participating teams. After Spain secured its qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, I had the honor of continuing with the team during their pre-Olympic training stage. (Photos)

The Value of Networking

Finally, I want to highlight networking, one of the program’s key pillars. From the beginning, participants are encouraged to be proactive, connect, and share experiences — because we all share the same passion: basketball.

Both in the online and in-person phases, the chance to meet coaches from all around the world makes this experience truly unique. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a program that is as comprehensive as it is transformative.

I hope your experience with EHCB will be even more rewarding — and that soon you’ll be the next coach sharing your story with this amazing community.

Wishing you an excellent experience,

Christian Crudeli

FIBA Coach

coachcrudeli.com