The Mind Game of Basketball:1 on 1 with yourself

What does it really take to build a career at the highest level of basketball while staying true to yourself?
In this episode of "The Mind Game of Basketball: 1 on 1 with Yourself," Mental Performance Coach Nico Bourgade welcomes Italian international and EuroLeague forward Nicola Akele for an honest conversation about the mindset required to pursue excellence.
From leaving home as a teenager to chase his dream to competing in the EuroLeague and representing the Italian National Team, Nicola reflects on the experiences that shaped him, not only as a player, but as a husband, a father and a person. He shares how the sacrifices never truly felt like sacrifices because they were driven by purpose and how maturity helped him develop a deeper appreciation for both the opportunities he earned and the moments he had to leave behind.
Together, Nico and Nicola explore the importance of gratitude, confidence, and perspective, discussing why reaching the highest levels of basketball should never be taken for granted. They examine how confidence is built long before success becomes visible and why believing in yourself often comes before having proof that your dream is possible.
What happens when athletes define themselves entirely through basketball? How can they compete with complete commitment while maintaining balance away from the game? Nicola shares how separating his identity from his performance, supported by his faith and his family, has helped him navigate both success and adversity with greater perspective.
The episode also highlights the unseen sacrifices shared by the people closest to elite athletes. Nicola speaks openly about balancing professional basketball with family life, missing important moments, and the importance of remaining grounded despite the pressures and expectations of competing at the highest level.
This conversation is a reminder that the journey to becoming a better player is inseparable from the journey to becoming a better person.
Topics discussed:
Chasing a childhood dream
The sacrifices behind elite performance
Gratitude and perspective
Building confidence before results
Identity beyond basketball
Balancing competition and personal life
The mental side of professional basketball
Personal growth through adversity
Winning the 1-on-1 with yourself

What does it really take to reach the NBA?
In this episode of The Mind Game of Basketball – 1 on 1 with Yourself, Mental Performance Coach and host Nico Bourgade welcomes Rafal Juc, International Scout for the Denver Nuggets, for an in-depth conversation about what truly shapes a basketball career.
Drawing from their shared international backgrounds, Nico and Rafal discuss how basketball brings people together across cultures when they share the same passion for the game. From there, they explore the realities of player development and the qualities that matter long before a player reaches the NBA.
Rafal shares what NBA organizations really look for beyond talent, why environment plays such a decisive role, and how parents, youth coaches, and the people surrounding a player can influence a young athlete's development.
The conversation also explores the mental side of basketball, how it is viewed within an NBA organization, how the Denver Nuggets approach player development, and why there is often a gap between knowing what should be done and consistently applying it.
In this episode, you'll discover:
What NBA scouts really look for beyond talent
The truth about player development
The influence of parents and youth coaches
Why environment is one of the strongest drivers of long-term success
How the Denver Nuggets approach the mental side of performance
Why execution, habits, and consistency matter more than good intentions
Whether you're a player, parent, coach, scout, or simply passionate about basketball, this episode offers valuable insights into what it really takes to develop at the highest level.
If you're a parent raising a young athlete, you can also discover Nico Bourgade's book, More than a Champion: The Essential Guide for Parents Raising Young Athletes, available here

Florent Piétrus, c'est 20 saisons au plus haut niveau, 230 sélections en Équipe de France, un titre de Champion d'Europe, plusieurs titres de champion en France et en Espagne, une EuroCup remportée avec Valence, et une réputation bâtie sur l'engagement, le sacrifice et l'esprit d'équipe.
Quand un joueur avec un tel parcours s'ouvre pour partager son histoire, son vécu et sa vision du haut niveau, on écoute.
Bienvenue dans le premier épisode en français du podcast The Mind Game of Basketball, 1 on 1 with Yourself, créé en 2022 par Nico Bourgade, coach en performance mentale pour basketteurs.
Au cours de cette conversation authentique, Flo revient sur son arrivée à Pau à seulement 15 ans et le choc culturel vécu en quittant sa Guadeloupe natale.
Ensemble, nous explorons les aspects mentaux qui ont façonné son parcours : les valeurs qui lui ont permis de durer plus de vingt ans au plus haut niveau, sa manière d'aborder les défis, les responsabilités, les attentes et les sacrifices liés à une carrière professionnelle.
Nous parlons également de sa relation avec ses frères, de sa vision du rôle de père, de leadership, de transmission, et de la manière dont toutes ces expériences ont influencé l'homme autant que le joueur.
Enfin, Flo partage son regard sur la préparation mentale et sur la place qu'un coach en performance mentale peut occuper dans l'entourage d'un basketteur de haut niveau.
Un épisode riche en enseignements, en authenticité et en réflexion pour tous ceux qui souhaitent mieux comprendre ce qui se passe dans la tête d'un champion lorsqu'il construit, jour après jour, une carrière d'exception.

Welcome Luca Virgilio, General Manager of Nebraska Men’s Basketball.
From his early days in Rome, Italy, to working under Coach Fred Hoiberg, and learning from a legend like Chris Mullin, Luca takes us inside the reality of high-level college basketball.
In this episode, we break down:
The hidden pressure behind NIL contracts
The cultural differences between countries and within teams
Why your network can make or break your career
How well-being impacts performance at every level of an organization
How Nebraska integrates sports psychologists, and where the limits might still be
This is a deep dive into the mental, cultural, and strategic side of building a high-performance program.
🎯 A must-listen for players, coaches, and anyone navigating pressure and performance.
A great episode to start Season 2 of The Mind Game of Basketball, 1 on 1 with yourself, hosted by Mental Performance Coach, Nico Bourgade.

In this episode, you'll hear how Coach Oliver Kostić has shaped his coaching philosophy—both as an assistant and as a head coach.
Having worked alongside masterminds like Coach Pesić with the Serbian national team and learning from world-class players such as Jokić, Mičić, and Bogdanović, Coach Kostić brings a wealth of experience and insight.
In this conversation with Mental Performance Coach Nico Bourgade, he shares the core foundations of his values, what drives his pursuit of excellence, and how he maintains his mental well-being and a sense of balance over time.
Enjoy this episode—we're confident you'll gain valuable insights from it.
For more, visit Nico Bourgade's website: www.themindgameofbasketball.com