Fiji Basketball Coach Returns with Elite American Training

"The intensity of the program was remarkable," Puamau shared in a recent interview. "We were writing3,000-word essays every three days on various aspects of basketball coaching, analytics and development."

The program provided unique access to Division 1 basketball colleges, where many NBA rookies begin their journey to professional basketball. Puamau had the opportunity to immerse himself in the day-to-day operations of top-tier collegiate programs, participating in coaches' meetings and interviewing a wide range of support staff.

"What really stood out were two key aspects – the world-class facilities and the sophisticated use of technology in planning and program implementation," Puamau explained. He gained valuable insights from performance coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, academic advisers, and equipment managers, including detailed understanding of program budgets and operations.

Looking ahead, Puamau plans to adapt his learnings to the Fijian context. "While we may not have the same resources, there are many elements we can implement to enhance our programs," he noted. This knowledge will be particularly crucial as he prepares the national team for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, following Fiji's gold medal victory at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.

The experience has given Puamau a comprehensive understanding of collegiate basketball operations and modern coaching methodologies. His successful completion of this highly selective program (with only 12.

Laisiasa is very grateful to the ICAB Program Committee, the US Embassy, FIBA and FASANOC, with support from Olympic Solidarity, for the funding of his participation in the online six-month ICAB program from May to October, and for his attendance at the University of Delaware for the final residential program and graduation in October/November.