Episode 78: Global Perspectives of Athlete Development with Sefu Bernard

Sefu Bernard has cut his teeth over the past 15+ years working in the NBA (domestically and internationally), WNBA, NHL; and, within an international context with Canada Basketball and FIBA.  From three-year olds to 30+ year olds, North America to Asia (and in between), able-bodied to wheelchair bound, male and female; also, those with varied learning capabilities, Sefu's experiential background affords him a unique – and practical – global perspective on athlete and team development.  A graduate of the University of Windsor with a Bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics and Sports Management, he is currently an assistant coach for player development with the WNBA's Washington Mystics.  From 2012 to 2014, Sefu was the Senior Director of Basketball Operations for the NBA in Asia; overseeing the management and continued growth of the NBA's coach and player development initiatives throughout Asia and Oceania. As National Development Coach and National Head Coach for Canada Basketball's Centres for Performance (CP) from 2007 to 2009, Bernard oversaw the development of a national player and coach development curriculum. He played a leadership role in the training and development of the numerous athletes and coaches that have participated on Canada's various national and Olympic teams. Prior to that, he was the Ontario women's provincial CP head coach (2005 to 2007); and an assistant coach from 2001 through 2005.  From 2006 through 2012, Bernard was the technical director for PGC Basketball (formerly Point Guard College), overseeing the development of the technical curriculum, course directors and video instruction for North America's top basketball instructional program. Prior to that, Bernard worked with the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, serving as Manager of Player Development and Player Programs from 2005 through 2007 and Coordinator, Basketball Development from 2002 through 2005. Between 2000 and 2002, he worked for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Over the years, Sefu has visited some of the top player development hotbeds in the world; including: Spain (Senior Men's National Team, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Estudiantes), Italy (Benetton Treviso, Virtus Bologna), Germany (Bayern Munich), Turkey (Fenerbahce); and in other countries like Serbia and Argentina. A coach by training and a teacher by calling, Sefu is NCCP certified coach and holds a FIBA/IOC certification.   Follow Sefu on Twitter (@SefuBernard) or visit www.thellabb.com for more.