Beno Udrih on Coaching in the G League, EuroLeague Fundamentals & Building NBA-Ready Guards | Fullcourt Passport

In this episode of Fullcourt Passport (United WeCast Network), hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar sit down with Beno Udrih—two-time NBA champion, former Spurs guard, and current head coach of the Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate). Udrih explains his player-to-coach journey, why the G League is the fastest classroom in basketball, and the European principles he uses to build NBA-ready guards.

Udrih breaks down:

• What a modern head coach manages daily: medical, front office, staff, and constant G League roster churn.
• Teaching flow offense, spacing, and pass-first reads—including why the ball must hit the corner.
• The lost art of the mid-range: footwork, timing, pick-and-roll pacing, and when analytics miss context.
• Coaching Gen-Z pros: listening first, aligning expectations vs. goals, and what actually earns NBA call-ups.
• Influences from Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, and Stan Van Gundy—and building a no-double-standards culture.
• Inside Žalgiris Kaunas’ Final Four run with Šarūnas Jasikevičius and elite ATO play-calling.
• Why NBA teams increasingly covet international fundamentals as the league shifts to movement, versatility, and decision-making.

Luka Dončić segment — conditioning, style fit & longevity

Ric and Boki dive deep on Luka Dončić:

• Why he looks leaner and more explosive, how national-team summers can help readiness and stress durability.
• The reality of a long pro mileage (turning pro as a teen) and what it means for career longevity—can Luka keep this level of conditioning for years, not months?
• High usage rate vs. the NBA’s move toward motion offense and shared creation—what roster builds (rim threats, 3-and-D shooters who accept fewer touches) maximize Luka without burning him out.
• Cultural lens: why many international stars don’t request trades, the emotional whiplash of a franchise icon being moved, and how European “club as family” roots color Luka’s response to change.

Plus: Boki and Ric react to El Clásico—Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona—and what it reveals about EuroLeague execution, depth, and star roles.

00:00 – Intro: Ric Bucher & Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar welcome Beno Udrih

02:45 – Transition from player to coach: finding his purpose

09:30 – G League challenges & managing players

15:10 – Midrange mastery and teaching footwork fundamentals

23:00 – Coaching influences: Popovich, Spoelstra & Van Gundy

28:45 – Zalgiris Final Four run & ATO play-calling

34:20 – International fundamentals & NBA evolution

41:00 – Luka Dončić discussion: conditioning, longevity & style of play

52:10 – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (El Clásico) recap

59:00 – Closing thoughts & next episode preview

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