By Michalis Gioulenlou/ info@eurohoops.net
What is Andreas Glyniadakis’ role at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup? The answer: one of the most important positions within FIBA’s plans for the tournament.
The former center of Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and the Seattle SuperSonics, among other teams during his playing career, is now responsible for FIBA’s “Players Experience” program, an initiative designed to improve the overall experience of athletes even before they arrive in Berlin.
Speaking to Eurohoops, Glyniadakis explains how the program is being implemented across FIBA competitions for the first time at the Women’s World Cup, which will take place from September 4-13, how valuable it is for players, and how the concept could potentially benefit the Greek domestic league.
What will your role be in Berlin at the Women’s World Cup?
“My collaboration with FIBA began in 2023, when the ‘Players Experience’ program was fully implemented at the World Cup in the Philippines. It is a program that is part of FIBA’s ‘players first’ philosophy and aims to put athletes at the center of every competition. Today, I am responsible for the program as a whole. I have developed the ‘Players Experience’ guidelines, which are implemented globally across FIBA competitions, for both men and women and across all age categories. At the same time, I oversee the regional offices to ensure a unified approach and consistent implementation of the program. At the Women’s World Cup in Berlin, my role covers the overall preparation and implementation of ‘Players Experience.’ From training and guiding the host country to overseeing the application of the standards at every stage of the competition, the goal is to ensure that the program is delivered according to the same high standards established by FIBA.”
So, was the first implementation of ‘Players Experience’ at the 2023 World Cup?
“Yes. It was fully implemented at the 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, and since then the program has been used at FIBA’s global competitions. This year, the focus is on the Women’s World Cup.”
When we talk about the experience players will have, what exactly does the program include?
“It is a comprehensive approach that covers the entire experience of an athlete during a competition, from the moment she leaves her home country until the moment she returns. We have essentially mapped out the entire journey. From arriving at the airport, collecting luggage, and transportation to the hotel, to accommodation, nutrition, training, and the conditions at the arena and in the locker rooms. There are specific standards for accommodation and nutrition, single rooms, as well as a Players Lounge, where athletes have access to, among other things, a recovery station, livestreaming, snacks, beverages, and extensive gaming options. We even take into consideration details such as the music played during warm-ups. The goal is for every point of contact between the athlete and the competition to contribute to the best possible experience.”
So instead of each team handling that experience individually, FIBA takes responsibility for it?
“Yes. FIBA establishes specific standards and ensures that the level of services is consistent for everyone, without exceptions. My role is to train and oversee the host country regarding the implementation of ‘Players Experience,’ ensuring that the standards and philosophy established by FIBA are applied consistently.”
Did you ever imagine you would take on a project like this? How much does your experience as a player help?
“The idea belongs to FIBA and comes from its ‘players first’ philosophy. For me, this is a completely basketball-related project. My experience as a player is very important. I competed at different levels and participated in FIBA competitions from a young age. Therefore, I know firsthand what an athlete experiences and what they may need. In a way, I look back at my own experiences and consider what we can do differently and better for athletes today. My involvement in ‘FIBA Time-Out,’ FIBA’s dual-career program for national team athletes, also played an important role, as did my studies in Sports Management. My first involvement with ‘Players Experience’ came at the 2023 World Cup, and today I am responsible for the program as a whole.”
Was this something you had experienced in the NBA, even if on a different scale?
“My experience in the NBA helped me a lot. There, there were already very specific standards regarding players’ daily routines, from transportation and hotels to arrival at the arena and the services provided in the locker rooms. The images and experiences I gained from the NBA are very useful in the work I do today.”
What are your expectations for the Women’s World Cup?
“I expect an extremely competitive World Cup. Top players from the WNBA, Europe, and basketball around the world will participate, so we are expecting games at a very high level. At the same time, there is significant interest from the fans, and that makes us even more excited about the tournament.”
In previous years, were some of the things we now consider standard for players not viewed as being as important?
“I cannot know exactly what happened before I became involved in the program. As a player, however, I can say that I had not experienced such a systematic and unified implementation of standards by every host country. What matters today is that FIBA applies specific standards across all of its competitions. As a result, athletes know in advance the level of conditions and services they can expect. This creates an environment in which athletes feel that they are truly at the center of the competition.”
Could ‘Players Experience’ also be implemented in the Greek domestic league?
“Absolutely. Specific guidelines could be created with common principles and standards for all teams, while workshops could also be held at the club or league level. Such an approach would benefit the players, but also the league itself, because it would demonstrate that the Greek championship operates according to high standards.”
Could it be implemented for every game, even a derby between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos?
“‘Players Experience’ is not about what happens within the four lines of the court. It concerns the athlete’s entire experience up until the moment they step onto the floor.”
Having played for both ‘eternal rivals,’ how do you assess the current season?
“Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are making significant investments in their teams; they have players of a very high level and top coaches. What we should remember as fans is the level of basketball we have the opportunity to watch. It is very important for Greek basketball to have two teams capable of building such strong rosters and consistently competing at the highest level in Europe. That is great promotion for the sport
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