In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we welcome back Joe Mantegna, the head coach of Blair Academy and assistant coach for the South Sudan Men's National Basketball Team. Joe takes us on an incredible journey from the team's humble beginnings in the Afro Basket qualifiers to their historic participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. We dive into how South Sudan went from being ranked 83rd in Africa to securing a top 25 spot in the world, almost beating Team USA in a thrilling warm-up game. Joe shares his unique perspective on the dedication, talent, and teamwork that made this journey possible and how these experiences will shape his coaching at Blair Academy.

📌Key Topics:

✅ The remarkable rise of South Sudan Men's Basketball from 83rd in Africa to the top 25 in the world
✅ Joe Mantegna's role and experiences at the 2024 Paris Olympics
✅ Coaching and leadership insights from an international competition
✅ The influence of Blair Academy players in the South Sudan team
✅ The importance of playing for a cause bigger than oneself
✅ How Joe plans to incorporate Olympic experiences into Blair Academy's basketball program

🗒️ About Joe Mantegna:

Joe Mantegna is the head coach of Blair Academy's varsity boys' basketball team, and boasts an impressive record with over 400 wins against a nationally ranked schedule. He also plays a significant role on the international stage as an assistant coach for the South Sudan Men's National Basketball Team, helping guide them to notable successes in AfroBasket and World Cup qualifying tournaments. With a background that includes coaching stints at colleges like Boston University and Lehigh University, Joe brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his players.

🔗 Connect with Joe:

Email | mantej@blair.edu
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/coachmantegna/?hl=en
Twitter | https://x.com/coachmantegna
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mantegna-1aab482b9/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic