CAIRO, Egypt — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made a long-awaited return to Cairo, where he spent three years as a teenager, coaching NBA campers and the Africa Basketball program without FIBA borders.
Kerr, who was born in Beirut, Lebanon, spent time in Egypt as a child due to his father’s academic career in Middle Eastern studies, and had not returned to Cairo since 1985 until the weekend. -end last.
Kerr has made it a family affair, he told ESPN at a media event on Sunday: “I wanted to come to Cairo [for BWB]I haven’t been there since 1985.
“I brought my family – I brought my wife, my daughter, her husband – it’s great to visit Egypt again and to do it while coaching and being part of BWB made it a trip perfect.”
Kerr, 56, attended Cairo American College (CAC) for three years as a teenager, while his late father was a visiting professor at the American University in Cairo. Her father, Malcolm Hooper Kerr, was killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut in 1984.
Although Kerr’s primary connection to the Middle East is gone, he hasn’t forgotten his roots and even made time to visit his old school.
He said: “I had the chance to visit the [CAC] campus a few days ago and going to talk to the school teams, the boys’ and girls’ teams, visiting some of the coaches and teachers, so it was a great experience.”
Kerr is also a famous football fan and supporter of Liverpool, a connection which also relates to his time in Egypt: Pharaohs star Mohamed Salah.
But while Kerr loves Salah’s work on the pitch, he’s also a big fan of his humanitarian work off it: “I started following the Premier League maybe five or six years ago and I had seen Mohamed Salah playing and reading about him.
“I was so impressed with his character and what he had done in his hometown, helping to build a school.
“I knew how much he was loved in Egypt, so I said, ‘He’s my guy!’ I wanted to cheer on Mohamed Salah and when I found out he was playing for Liverpool I said, ‘Okay, that’s my team!’ So I’ve been a Liverpool fan ever since.”
With a basketball legend! pic.twitter.com/NVMLOvtvCf
—Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 28, 2022
Kerr, who has won five NBA championships as a player (three with the Chicago Bulls and two with the San Antonio Spurs), is used to being admired, but even he was dazzled when he met Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
“I was able to meet some of the coaches. I met Jürgen Klopp the other day at Liverpool, which was a big thrill. Watching the game, it’s very similar in terms of concepts,” he said. declared.
“Even though there are 11 players in football and only five in basketball, it’s still a three-person game – whoever has the ball and whoever is closest to that player – and being able to pass and moving in small triangles across the pitch or pitch; trying to beat your man and beat the defender with cuts and gaps, it’s very similar.
“I’m always trying to learn more about football – I’m not an expert – but I enjoy watching it and feel like I’m always learning something.”
Although he played down his knowledge of the sport, Kerr didn’t hesitate when asked who he expects to win the UEFA Champions League this season.
“Liverpool,” he said with a smile.
Kerr is one of five NBA head coaches at BWB Africa this year, along with Chauncey Billups (Portland Trail Blazers), Wes Unseld Jr. (Washington Wizards), Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Willie Green (New Orleans Pelicans). ) also present.
Udoka Azubuike (Utah Jazz), Mo Bamba (Orlando Magic) and Boston Celtics duo Malcolm Brogdon and Grant Williams are the current NBA players in Cairo as they look to help 64 of the most talented boys and girls aged 18 and under 25 African countries are following in their footsteps.
Camp directors include Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, Los Angeles Clippers scout Lance Blanks, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey and World Basketball Coaches Association president Patrick Hunt .
