Interview with Honza Pospisil: Why go to Prague Hoops?
Honza, why do you think teams should participate in the Prague Hoops tournament?
A tournament like Prague Hoops makes sense to me not only as a sporting event, but as an overall experience. I believe it can be an ideal start of the season for many teams - quality matches, pleasant environment and a chance to compete with teams not only from Prague, but also from different parts of the Czech Republic and Europe. As a coach, I know how important it is to play with new opponents at different game tempos and against different playing styles. And this is exactly what we would like to offer in Prague Hoops.
How is the tournament different from others?
We don't want the tournament to be primarily about results. We want to create an environment where kids and coaches have room to grow - both as players and as people. We want this to be the first major tournament or exposure to basketball for these categories. We want to see a lot of emotion. At the same time, we're looking for a really international participation. I've involved all my contacts from the clubs and the national team to bring diverse teams to Prague and create the right mix. This is the thing that can give the tournament a completely different dimension.
What is your role in the Prague Hoops team?
I am a professional guarantor, which in practice means that I oversee the sporting side of the tournament - rules, game formats, categorization, referees. At the same time, I act as a liaison between the organizers and the basketball world. I help with team selection, communicate with coaches and try to make sure that the tournament has a clear sporting level and a good developmental direction.
What do you think makes a tournament really good?
For me, the key is that it's not "just another weekend tournament". I want the players to take away from it an experience that will move them forward. That sparks that initial love of basketball. Whether it's quality opponents, good organization, or even just a simple detail like fair play and respect on the court. If a tournament can manage to be professional, yet friendly and human, it makes sense.
Do you have any message for teams that are hesitant to come?
Come on in. Prague Hoops isn't just about how many points you score and how many games you win. It's about what you take back home - game-wise, team-wise, people-wise. And I believe that's the kind of experience that's most valuable in youth sports.
Who is Honza Pospíšil?
Honza is a long-time youth coach at USK Prague, head coach of the U17 category and former assistant coach of the Czech men's national team. In his career, he has worked with a number of domestic and international coaches and participated in the historic success of the Czech team at the 2019 World Championship. In the basketball environment, he is known for his analytical approach, hard work and respect for the education of young players. In the Prague Hoops project, he plays the role of an expert guarantor and is one of the main guarantors of the sporting quality of the tournament.
