At an institution like UC Berkeley, the academic rigor is just as intense as the competition in the Pac-12 (now ACC). We emphasize the term “Student-Athlete” heavily in our program.
Time management is the ultimate separator. I often tell my guys that the discipline required to pass a tough midterm is the exact same discipline required to execute a complex defensive scheme in the final two minutes of a tied game.
A typical Tuesday involves a 6:00 AM lift, class from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, practice from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, film study until 5:30 PM, and mandatory study hall in the evening. There is zero margin for error. If a player cannot manage his calendar, he cannot manage the complexities of high-level college basketball.
I am immensely proud of our team’s cumulative GPA. It shows that these young men understand that the ball stops bouncing for everyone eventually, and walking out of Berkeley with a world-class degree is the ultimate victory.
