Miguel Minhava: "It's not the same, but coaching women or men is all the same to me"

The 3rd edition of the Neemias Queta Training Camp, which concluded yesterday in Carcavelos, brought together 100 young basketball players aged 13 to 17. Alongside the five Celtics assistant coaches, who offered diverse experiences, and the other coaches and players under the guidance of technical director Carlos Barroca, two individuals had a particularly special experience, given the challenges they face in the upcoming 2026/27 season.

One was Bernardo Pires, the new head coach for Sporting's men's Betclic League team. The other was Miguel Minhava, 42, a former international player and four-time champion with Benfica. After a stint with Sporting and leading the Setúbal Association's U16 team, Minhava returns this season to GDESSA in the women's Betclic League. A BOLA spoke with the former point guard about his experience at the Boston-based Portuguese center's camp.

— This year, you participated in the Neemias Queta training camp as one of the coaches working with around 100 young players. How did this invitation come about?
— It had come up before. I think two years ago, Carlos [Barroca, the event's technical director] had spoken to me, but at the time, as I was with Sporting [assistant coach for Luís Magalhães' senior team and U23 coach] and we were already working, I couldn't make it. This time, it came naturally, and I was very pleased because it's a well-organized camp. Plus, it's Neemias's camp, our national symbol, and I hope others will emerge from here in the future.

But, of course, it's rewarding. I always enjoy working with kids, regardless of the context. Obviously, in a well-organized event and a good venue — as [Quinta dos] Lombos has an excellent space — it's easy to accept. For me, this isn't even work. It's what we love to do: be on the court with the kids and help. It's important to have a good atmosphere because, during the year, things tend to be a bit more demanding for them. Here, the goal is for them to learn, grow, but also to have a good time and experience this with the Celtics staff and these types of coaches.

— With the presence of Celtics assistants, people accustomed to a different level and culture, do you feel there's a different way of looking at basketball?
— Yes, but we also feel it's a reality far removed from ours in Portugal. Across Europe, it's becoming increasingly common: teams with larger staffs and a lot of specialization. We had Boston's offensive coach here, the defensive coach, the video coordinator — I believe there are even two people in the video department — plus a strength and conditioning coach... In other words, it's the path of the future: professionalization. Before, we talked about the professionalization of players, and that's already been achieved at that level. Now, coaching staffs are growing. When we think about our reality — I think of myself as a coach, as I'll be coaching GDESSA this season — and having to play almost all the instruments... here, it's different.

— Did it also turn out to be a training camp for you?
— Yes, we also had moments of sharing. There was an opportunity to watch Neemias and Haywood Highsmith [Phoenix Suns] train, and André Cruz [Sporting], Rafael Lisboa [Alicante], and João Embaló [Sporting] were also here... You always learn something, but it's very interesting to realize that you can be better when you're dedicated to just one aspect. If you're focused only on offense, you can extract more details. In Portugal, we still have to play a little bit of all instruments, which makes everything more difficult. But there was a lot of sharing among the coaches, and we even learned from the kids. Whether it's through the questions they ask or things they sometimes do on the court unexpectedly, it always ends up being a learning experience for everyone.

— Neemias trained every day. For someone who was a good player and even an international, does it make you want to go and train with him a bit?
— It does! When I see these guys training, the only thing holding me back are some aches and pains I already have. I was already exhausted just standing there from morning to afternoon since Monday. The only problem is my physical condition, because the desire... the player's mindset is still fully here, as is the desire to participate. Even in my own training sessions, as much as possible, I integrate exercises to help and to tap into that experience a bit. I think whoever played never stops being a player. Whoever is a coach later also doesn't stop being one, but the player truly never leaves us. I wish I still had fresh legs like André Cruz, for example, and could run around there!

— This season, you'll be leading the GDESSA team in the women's league. What kind of challenge is this?
— It's a return home, to the Women's League. Last season, the team reached the semi-finals, and now we'll play the Super Cup against Benfica right away. But more important than anything — and I value this more and more — sometimes people ask me: "But now you're going back to women's basketball?" No! Coaching women or men is the same. It's not exactly the same thing, but for me, for my satisfaction and for what I want from teams, it's equal. One way or another, I feel fulfilled coaching.

The project presented to me is increasingly important, and what GDESSA offered me is a return in a way that pleases me: having a strong youth academy, a strong connection between the academy and the senior team, and aiming to play to be at the top, in the top 4 of the women's league, making it to the final stages... that satisfies me. It's a club I like very much, as well as the people. I left GDESSA, but I always remained very connected to the structure.

— And you're returning solely as a coach.
— I like to see the whole picture when I look at a club. I believe that the primary responsibility of a senior team coach is to coach them, without a doubt, but I think increasingly they also need to be someone who inspires those coming up through the ranks and makes them understand that youth development is crucial for those at the top. That's the feeling and the connection I want to strengthen at GDESSA, as the club has had it for most of its history. I'm not saying it didn't already have it, but we want to consolidate this aspect. That's why it was very easy to say yes. I'm home, in Barreiro, in my city, so I'm very expectant and confident that things will go well.