Learn, Practice, Play

It all began at the age of 17. Years spent on the basketball court, some in parallel with academic pursuits, and more recently, a deep dive into sports management, marketing, and business community development—this journey has been a constant evolution.

My professional career started in 1994, with my first official signing at SOCED Bucharest. Over the years, I competed at the highest levels of international basketball, taking part in EuroLeague, EuroCup, and EuroChallenge, representing top teams in some of the most competitive leagues across Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and Belgium.

Pursuing knowledge beyond the court, I spent time at the University of South Alabama, where I completed specialised studies in General Management, followed by a Master’s in European Economic Integration.

My career later extended beyond playing, moving into leadership roles: as President of Steaua Bucharest Basketball Club, Vice President of the Romanian Basketball Federation, and as a speaker at major business forums such as CEO Clubs and Romanian Business Leaders, among other national and international organisations.

Returning to what first shaped me, I am honoured to let you know that I was part of Romania’s National Basketball Team for 15 years, ten of which I served as team captain. In 2014, I had the honour of being recognised in the Hall of Fame at the University of South Alabama—an achievement that holds profound significance for me.

After 20 years of professional sports, countless trophies, and medals, I decided to step off the court—but not away from the game. My main focus has been on how sports are perceived in society, particularly among children and young people, and, more importantly, how education and sports together can shape strong characters for the future. At Steaua Basketball, I established a centre of excellence for children and youth, where approximately 1,200 young athletes have played basketball, with an integrated educational component running alongside their training.

I firmly believe in the education that any type of sports provides and in the values gained through training and competition—values that transcend disciplines, whether in sports, economics, or education.

This belief led to one of my most recent projects: Go Scholarship, a support programme for young athletes across various sports. Go Scholarship provides them with everything they need to grow and excel—physical training, education, nutrition, psychology, and financial literacy—ensuring they develop both as athletes and as well-rounded individuals.