EuroLeague forward Alec Peters (Olympiacos) joins Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar for a wide-ranging international hoops conversation—starting with the true business of jersey numbers (and a Chipotle gift card), then diving into why Peters chose a long-term overseas path, what NBA tanking actually feels like inside a locker room, and why EuroLeague winning hits different.

From CSKA’s championship culture to finding a home in Piraeus (and opening a restaurant called “25”), Alec breaks down how Europe helped him become a more complete player—and why the EuroLeague product is still under-discovered in the U.S. The episode closes with a big-picture debate: NBA Europe—what it could solve, what it could complicate, and why the league’s marketing model may clash with Europe’s club-first tradition.

Time Stamps

• 00:00 Welcome to Fullcourt Passport (United WeCast Network)
• 00:36 Introducing Alec Peters (Olympiacos)
• 01:04 Why he changed his Summer League number: jersey politics + a “hefty” Chipotle card
• 03:40 The jersey-number hustle: Brendan Haywood’s $100K story
• 05:08 Why Alec left the NBA for Europe (and what “tanking” looked like up close)
• 07:29 Choosing CSKA: stability, coaching, and a winning blueprint
• 08:52 Why EuroLeague wins feel different (emotion, rivalry, road environments)
• 10:07 Why EuroLeague is still under-marketed in the U.S. (and who’s actually watching)
• 13:09 Development: college “do everything” vs NBA “one skill” vs Europe “complete player”
• 18:17 Finding a home at Olympiacos + opening a restaurant in Greece
• 21:23 The restaurant name: “25”
• 22:01 NBA Europe: Alec sees both sides—elevate the product, reduce confusion
• 31:26 Kendrick Perkins’ “internationals taking over” + what “face of the league” means
• 37:01 NBA marketing stars vs Europe marketing clubs—collision course?
• 44:10 EuroLeague Game of the Week: Monaco vs Valencia + why it mattered
• 50:10 Next week teaser: EuroLeague coaches’ personalities and philosophies
• 51:46 Wrap + where to listen/watch live (NoFilter Network + United WeCast YouTube)

#FullcourtPassport #UnitedWeCast #EuroLeague #Olympiacos #AlecPeters #InternationalBasketball #NBAEurope #EuroLeagueBasketball #NBA #BasketballPodcast #RicBucher #BokiNachbar

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What does the future of basketball look like outside the United States — and how close is the NBA to planting permanent roots in Europe?

On this episode of Fullcourt Passport, longtime NBA executive Tommy Sheppard joins hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar for a wide-ranging, insider conversation on the global evolution of basketball, the rise of international stars, and the controversial idea of NBA Europe.

Sheppard reflects on three decades in the NBA, the transformation of international scouting and player development, the influence of EuroLeague coaching and tactics, and why passion, culture, and relegation make European basketball fundamentally different from the NBA model. The trio also debate injuries, pace of play, commercialization, and whether basketball risks losing its soul as it grows globally.

This is a must-listen for fans of NBA, EuroLeague, FIBA basketball, international player development, and the future of the sport worldwide.

00:00 – Welcome to Fullcourt Passport

01:20 – Introducing Tommy Sheppard & his NBA background

05:10 – From the 1990s to today: how international basketball exploded

09:40 – Slovenia’s impact & paving the way for Luka Dončić

13:55 – International MVPs & changing perceptions of greatness

18:20 – EuroLeague academies vs U.S. development model

22:45 – Why EuroLeague basketball teaches higher IQ

26:10 – Is the modern NBA “too easy”? Toughness debate

30:05 – NBA Europe: league, partnership, or experiment?

34:40 – Culture clash: passion, history & European fans

38:50 – Relegation vs franchise stability

42:30 – Timeline, money & long-term viability of NBA Europe

46:05 – Injuries, pace of play & player workload concerns

49:10 – Greek Derby spotlight: Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos

52:00 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

#NBAEurope #EuroLeague #GlobalBasketball #NBATwitter #BasketballWorld

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In this episode of Fullcourt Passport, hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan Nachbar sit down with longtime overseas pro and consultant Sean McCaw to break down what American players must understand before pursuing a professional basketball career in Europe.

McCaw explains why overseas basketball is more popular than ever—yet widely misunderstood. From the reality that EuroLeague represents only the top 1%, to the truth about monthly salaries, “starter countries,” second divisions, and why adaptability is the No. 1 survival skill, this episode delivers a candid roadmap for players navigating the international game.

The conversation also explores NIL expectations vs. European pay, how players climb the European ladder, the role of agents, due diligence on teams, and why European player development continues to produce NBA superstars. Plus: a deep dive into the NBA-Europe debate, coaching culture differences, and why team fit matters more than reputation.

• 0:00 Welcome to Fullcourt Passport
• 0:31 Introducing Sean McCaw (SJM Consulting)
• 1:25 Boki’s basketball camp & European development culture
• 2:41 Why overseas basketball is now “in vogue”
• 3:55 EuroLeague exposure & the myth of easy money
• 5:01 Reality check: EuroLeague = top 1%
• 7:10 NIL money vs. starting over in Europe
• 7:55 The most important skill: adaptability
• 8:53 NBA Europe: hype vs. reality
• 11:18 Starter countries & second-division pathways
• 14:10 Why European Cup games matter
• 16:02 How players should research teams & contracts
• 19:31 Why Sean McCaw stayed in Europe
• 21:14 European teaching vs. U.S. “highlight culture”
• 23:33 Why international players dominate today’s NBA
• 32:28 Mike D’Antoni’s impact on European basketball
• 41:03 Why EuroLeague isn’t easy—even for former NBA players
• 45:14 Game of the Week: Olympiacos vs Virtus
• 50:26 Final thoughts & wrap-up

#FullcourtPassport #EuroLeague #OverseasBasketball #InternationalBasketball #ProBasketball #BasketballLife #NIL #Hoops #BasketballDevelopment

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