I am back on the sidelines after a two-year hiatus. My attempt to become a better husband didn’t go as planned. I am now coaching some basketball at St. John Neumann Regional. My love and appreciation for the game had never left. I only needed a break. I came out of retirement to help an old friend. We are three games into the 2019-20 season and I am awfully glad that I said yes. Working with these youngsters and the daily interactions we share is what I missed. Only us coaches will understand. It goes well beyond the long hours, excessive drama and small stipends.

I assist with the talented varsity boys and tutor the junior varsity. My team consists of ten players. I have coached this great game at many different levels, but my approach this year is rather simple. I could care less about our wins and losses. Our goal is to have fun and improve on the fundamentals. Player development is the primary focus. My boys come in all shapes and sizes. Some are blessed with superior skills and then there are a few others. I am having a blast getting to work with these fine young men.

Ricardo Jovchelevich is our 15-year-old exchange student from São Paulo, Brazil. He came to our little school by the luck of the draw. “Rickie” is obsessed with basketball and brings an interesting dynamic to this year’s group. He is a crafty 6’1”, left handed swing who continues to get better. Rickie is a true delight and speaks four different languages. He scored six points and grabbed four boards against Bucktail in our first win of the season. Jovchelevich is becoming a rockstar and now he’s an online sensation. Perhaps I helped create this madness.

Tales of the Brazilian Lefty got started at a South Side scrimmage. One our parents posted an infamous picture. The ball was high in the air and only half way to the basket, but Rickie was alone in the paint already celebrating. He had both arms extended like he was signaling a TD. I didn’t catch it in real life, but this photo was absolutely hilarious. Ricardo is quite the team player and he cheers for everyone. That same game and a few possessions later. Ricky had the ball on the wing but he forgot to dribble. He didn’t understand the call and started questioning the ref in some foreign tongue. Priceless. This is great stuff and you simply can’t make it up. He is trending.

Ricardo is the son of Marcelo and Joana and he is only staying in the U.S. for the year. He really likes the smaller setting at St. John Neumann Regional Academy and says that his classmates are really nice. Rickie enjoys chemistry and is also a fan of music. Spanish class is kinda boring. He eats, sleeps and dreams about basketball. The Golden State Warriors are his favorite team and he loves Luka Doncac. Rickie wanted to come to America to study and play hoops. I didn’t recruit Jovchelevich as many have claimed. We only go after the locals and there’s much more on that later. I am currently under a gag.

“I love basketball,” Ricardo added. Please read the next few lines using a strong Brazilian accent. “I want to be a good player. I like school. Basketball practice is better. Everyone is super. Our team is good. I will go back to Brazil with many stories.”

Hats off to Ricardo and the nine other youngsters for restoring my love of the game. Basketball is truly an international game. We are very fortunate to have our new friend from Brazil to
join us for all the fun. Vamos Caballeros. Go Knights. Cheers.