Page 17 - ARUBA TODAY

A17
Friday 30 august 2019

TAYLOR

MADE

United States' head coach
Gregg Popovich gestures dur-
ing their exhibition basket-
ball game against Australia
in Melbourne, Saturday, Aug.
24, 2019.
Associated Press

For Gregg

Popovich,

leading USA

Basketball

is a true

calling

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
SHANGHAI (AP) — Even
now, U.S coach Gregg
Popovich remains a mili-
tary man.
Nearly a half-century af-
ter his graduation from the
U.S. Air Force Academy, it
hasn't been uncommon in
recent San Antonio Spurs
offseasons for Popovich to
return for workouts on the
wooded trails of that cam-
pus in Colorado. He'd be
gasping thin air found at
7,700 feet above sea level,
lungs heaving, mind rac-
ing.
As a student, he'd go there
to think. As a graduate,
he's done the same.
"What you learn there is Unseeded American stuns
to get over yourself," said
Popovich, a five-time NBA No. 4 Halep at U.S. Open
champion coach with the
Spurs. "It's not about you."

Continued on Page 23 Taylor Townsend, of the United States, reacts after defeating Simona Halep, of Romania, during the second round of the US Open
tennis championships Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in New York.
Associated Press
Page 18