CAIRO, Egypt — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr makes a long-awaited return to Cairo after spending three teenage years coaching campers in the NBA and FIBA’s African Basketball Without Borders program. I did it.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Kerr spent his childhood in Egypt because his father had a background in Middle Eastern studies, and had not returned to Cairo since 1985 until last weekend.
Kerr made it a family matter, he told ESPN at a media event on Sunday. [for BWB]I haven’t been back here since 1985,” he said.
“I brought my family, I brought my wife, my daughter and her husband. It is great to visit Egypt again. became.”
Carr, 56, attended Cairo American College (CAC) for three years as a teenager, but his late father was a visiting professor at Cairo American University. His father, Malcolm Hooper Kerr, died in a terrorist attack in Beirut in 1984.
Although Carr’s main connection to the Middle East is gone, he hasn’t forgotten his roots and has taken the time to visit his old school.
He said: ‘I had the opportunity to visit [CAC] It was a great experience because I went to campus a few days ago, talked to the school team, the boys’ team, the girls’ team, and visited the coaches and teachers. ”
Kerr is also a famous football fan and supports Liverpool. This is also related to Pharaoh star Mohamed Salah’s time in Egypt.
But while Kerr loves Salah’s work on the field, he’s also a big fan of him. Humanitarian Effort“I started following the Premier League probably five or six years ago, watching Mohamed Salah play and reading about him.
“I was very impressed with his personality and his contribution to building a school in his hometown.
“I knew how much he was loved in Egypt, so I said, ‘He’s my man!’ I said: ‘Okay, that’s my team!’ I’ve been a Liverpool fan ever since. ”
With a basketball legend! pic.twitter.com/NVMLOvtvCf
— Mohammed Salah (@MoSalah) August 28, 2022
Kerr, who won five NBA championships as a player (three with the Chicago Bulls and two with the San Antonio Spurs), is no stranger to accolades, but he met Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. Even he was star-struck when
“I have been able to meet some of the coaches. I met Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool the other day and I was very excited. Watching the game, the concepts are very similar,” he said.
“There are 11 players in soccer and only 5 in basketball, but who has the ball, who is closest to that player, who makes a pass or draws a small triangle across the ball? Trying to beat an opponent with cutting and spacing and trying to beat a defender, whether on the court or on the pitch, are all very similar.
“I’m still trying to learn more about football – I’m no expert – but I enjoy watching it and always feel like I’m learning something.
Despite his downplaying knowledge of the sport, Kerr didn’t hesitate when asked who he expected to win the UEFA Champions League this season.
“Liverpool,” he said with a smile.
Kerr is one of BWB Africa’s five NBA head coaches this year, with Chauncey Billups (Portland Trail Blazers), Wes Unseld Jr. (Washington Wizards) and Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves). ) and Willie Green (New Orleans Pelicans).
Azubuike Idoka (Utah Jazz), Mobamba (Orlando Magic) and the Boston Celtics duo Malcolm Brogdon When Grant Williams A current NBA player in Cairo to help 64 boys and girls under the age of 18 from 25 African countries follow in their footsteps.
Camp directors include Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, Los Angeles Clippers scout Lance Blanks, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gandhi and World Basketball Coaches Association president Patrick Hunt. .
