Kiwihoopers S4E7🏀 There is a lot to unpack in this episode. One thing is for sure: so many gems 💎 He has worn the black singlet as a player and as a head coach, stood on Olympic courts, and now leads a professional team in Japan. We get to sit down with New Zealand basketball legend Paul Henare.With 129 appearances for the Tall Blacks, Henare was a cornerstone of the national team for nearly a decade, competing at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games and helping secure a historic fourth-place finish at the 2002 FIBA World Cup. His domestic career is equally storied, featuring multiple NZNBL championships. Now, as the assistant coach of the Nagasaki Velca in Japan's top-tier B.League, he brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey from Napier Boys' High School to the global stage.In this in-depth conversation, we explore:* His transition from a record-setting point guard to a successful head coach.* Paul's coaching gems * The realities of coaching professionally in Japan's B.League and the cultural exchange it involves.* His philosophy on coaching and team culture.* Reflections on New Zealand basketball's past, present, and future.🔔 Subscribe to Kiwihoopers!Hit subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an interview with the Kiwi athletes shaping the game worldwide: https://www.youtube.com/@kiwihoopers⏱ Video Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & His FIBA coaching videos01:31 - In Phil Jone's words & the Tall Blacks teammate that had Paul's back03:23 - Paul's basketball IQ and his coaches04:55 - Paul's coaching lessons and advice05:50 - Paul's Non-negotiables for his team07:01 - Transition from head coach to his new role in the Japan B league 08:45 - Challenges of coaching in another language / How to overcome them10:46 - Yuki Kawamura11:36 - Japanese basketball culture and its challenges 13:07 - Paul's Olympics and FIBA world champion memories 16:57 - Kiwis in NCAA and the future of NZ basketball18:41 - Paul's relationship with Kevin Braswell22:22 - Jackson Henare's story28:11 - Playing against Yao Ming 30:16 - The crazy story involving some NBA legends that has never been told31:51 - Reality of being a high-level international basketball coach 38:50 - The importance of taking care of your body40:02 - Behind every great man, there is a ...40:50 - Questions from our last guests44:39 - Paul's question led to the Origin of Kiwihoopers 💬 Join the Kiwi Hoops Whānau:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiwihoopers* Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/kiwihoopers* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwihoopers🏀 Tags & Keywords:#PaulHenare #TallBlacks #NZBasketball #BLeague #Japan #BasketballCoach #KiwiHoopers #NewZealand #BasketballInterview #ShimaneSusanooMagic #NBANZ #OlympicBasketball #FIBA #CoachLife