Summary

In this episode, Stan interviews Henrikas Paulauskas, a multifaceted basketball professional who shares his journey from player to coach and director of the Shanghai Falcons Basketball Club. Henrikas discusses the importance of building confidence, communication, and discipline in young players, as well as the role of education and experience in coaching. He emphasizes the need for professionalism in basketball and the challenges faced in youth development, particularly in China. The conversation highlights the passion for the game that drives Henrikas and the various forms success can take in a basketball career.

Takeaways

Building confidence comes with a repetition of the shots.
Discipline is hard to implement in China.
Success can come in different forms.
You need to be a sponge to absorb information.
Trust your coach and the system.
Basketball is a difficult sport that needs patience.
You need to work hard consistently.
You can’t skip the fundamentals.
You need to believe in yourself and push forward.
Communication is key for player development.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Hendrikas Paulauskas' Basketball Path
03:11 Transitioning from Player to Coach: Lessons Learned
10:48 Building Confidence and Communication in Young Players
15:57 The Role of Education and Experience in Coaching
22:29 Understanding Professionalism in Basketball
30:46 International Influence: Youth Basketball in China
36:06 Passion for the Game: Hendrikas' Ongoing Journey

In this incredible episode of Basketball Body and Mind, we sit down with Lukas Grabauskas, Sports Director of BC Lietkabelis (EuroCup, LKL) to reveal how professional basketball clubs really scout, sign, and develop players.


What you’ll learn:

How young players can catch a pro club’s attention
Why character and habits matter even more than pure talent
How to choose between money vs playing time in early career moves
Inside look at how NBA and European basketball teams operate differently
The underrated power of good mentoring and environment off the court
If you're an aspiring player, a parent, or a coach — these insights are gold.

Connect with Lukas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-grabauskas/

Connect with Stan
https://www.instagram.com/balticmove/

🎙️ New episodes every week — Subscribe now for elite basketball mind training!

📩 For podcast collabs or coaching inquiries: [Basketball.body.mind@gmail.com]

—
🔔 Like, Comment, and Share to support the mission of raising smarter athletes!

00:00 – Official Trailer: Sneak Peek 🎥
01:00 – Introduction: Who is Lukas Grabauskas?
02:45 – What Does a Sports Director Actually Do?
05:15 – How Clubs Scout New Talent
08:20 – Young Players: How to Get Noticed
11:00 – Why Money Isn't Everything Early On
14:30 – Key Questions Parents Should Ask Before Moving Abroad
17:50 – Off-Court Behavior: The Hidden Metric Scouts Look At
21:10 – Can a Bad Attitude Ruin a Pro Career?
24:40 – How NBA Teams Differ from European Clubs
28:00 – Why Environment Matters More Than You Think
31:10 – How to Balance Education and Basketball
34:30 – Personal Habits That Separate Good from Great Players
37:50 – How NBA Coaches and Staff Operate Differently
40:30 – The Story of Scouting a Talented But Difficult Player
44:00 – Lukas’ Best Moment in Basketball Career
47:00 – Final Advice for Young Players and Parents

In this powerhouse episode of Basketball Body and Mind, we sit down with Laimonas Eglinskas – pro basketball coach with experience across Lithuania, Australia, and now the London Lions.

🎙️ Stan’s first-ever coaching partner joins the podcast to break down what it really takes to go pro in basketball. From mastering discipline and understanding your role to standing out even when no one's watching – this episode is a goldmine for serious hoopers.

💡 Whether you're a young player, aspiring coach, or just love the game, this is a must-listen. We dive deep into:

What defines a true professional athlete

How to earn your coach’s trust

The mindset that separates pros from amateurs

Real stories of youth players who made it big

🔥 Plus, Laimonas shares lessons from Euro League players, talks about talent vs. hard work, and gives advice to those without access to elite training facilities.

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Every share helps us grow the hoop community!

📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Laimonas Eglinskas
00:52 – Coaching across leagues & countries
01:53 – What professionalism really means in basketball
04:17 – How to train when no one’s watching
05:24 – Learning by watching greats like Kobe
06:30 – How coaches lead the game off-court
08:24 – Lifelong learning and self-growth
10:25 – Accepting roles as a young player
12:05 – Making the most of “garbage time” minutes
17:33 – Real success stories: Panagiotis Kalaitzakis & more
20:15 – No court? No problem: How to train anywhere
24:19 – Common struggles youth face going pro
27:55 – Sacrifices & the Mamba Mentality
34:16 – Success can come in unexpected forms
40:00 – Be elite at something, even if it’s not talent
43:20 – If you don’t believe in yourself, why should your coach?
47:15 – Some players settle too early
53:50 – Recap: Discipline, Roles, Effort & Patience
54:29 – Outro: How to follow or contact Laimonas