Craig Gilchrist

The feature coach of the week is one I’ve been holding off for quite a while, but for good reason. Craig Gilchrist is arguably (I know I’ve said this a lot but bare with me) the best coach our country has seen. He’s been coaching the game longer than I’ve been alive and has more experience than any 2 coaches put together. But as good a coach as he is you best believe he can play the game pretty well.

At this point in his career I don’t think there is anybody who plays serious, competitive basketball that hasn’t been coached by or had an ear full from this man. As the National Men’s Team Coach and having coached at many prestigious establishments, anybody will tell you a wild (that’s probably an understatement) story from playing under Craig. His no nonsense style of coaching makes him a much feared but even more respected coach.

I got in touch with Craig this week to find out more about his coaching history and was not at all dissapointed:

Current club/coaching position:

St Charles College and Kwa Zulu Marlins Basketball club

Who or what motivated you to get serious about coaching?

I decided to start coaching at a young age when I was playing professionally in Europe. I realised that kids in South Africa were not getting exposed to the systems and methods being taught in the rest of the world. So whenever I returned from my stints overseas, I would make sure that I found somewhere to coach. This started in 1992 and I have been coaching ever since.

Have you modelled your coaching philosophies after another coach or has it been self taught?

I have taken bits and pieces from all the coaches I have played forand worked with through the years, you can learn something from everybody, however the biggest influence on my coahing philosophy comes from Joaquim Rodrigues, his will to win and knowledge of the game was unparalleled and I was fortunate enough to learn the game under him from the age of 15.

A favourite coaching moment?

Too many to name, but any coach will tell you that when you have a team that overachieves because of hard work and self-belief it is very satisfying.

A favourite team to have coached?

All the teams I have coached in my 28 years of coaching, they all meant something to me.

Highest level coached?

South Africa at a national level

Biggest accomplishment as a coach?

Winning the Engen U18 Club Championships with DHS, Winning National Provincial Championships, Winning the CBL, Winning the USSA Provincial Championships, Qualifying for Afrobasket 2019.