Where Are They Now? Greg Collucci
6/10/2020 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
Men's basketball alum helping grow NBA development program
Greg Collucci was tired after a long day and ready to grab some sleep before another one when an unmistakable sound outside his hotel caught his attention.
"KD! KD! KD!"
Collucci peered out the window to see a crowd of 30,000 people below waiting for a glimpse of Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors. No matter that it was well past midnight, the enthusiastic group didn't want to miss the chance to welcome the reigning NBA champions to Shanghai, China.
Supporting the NBA's global development initiatives, Collucci has seen the growing passion for the league worldwide first-hand over the past four years, and that moment from the 2017 NBA Global Games stands alone illustrating just how popular it's become.
"That was really mind-blowing to see the power of that brand and how recognizable those athletes are," said Collucci, who works within the NBA's International Basketball Operations as senior manager in charge of player pathways and coaching. "It was like 'Wow.' This was literally just to see them get off a bus and walk into the hotel lobby at 1:30 a.m."
A former GW guard and assistant coach, Collucci has a unique opportunity to help grow the game at the youth level worldwide with the backing of the world's premier professional league.
From his home in Northern Virginia, Collucci supports the NBA Academy program with branches in Australia, China, India, Senegal and Mexico. He has been involved every step of the way since the league began sponsoring the international network of elite training and education centers for boys and girls in October 2016.
The program has recently sent its first wave of prospects to a host of American colleges, and last spring, it produced its first WNBA draft pick in Han Xu from China.
"The most rewarding aspect of this is really changing young people's lives," Collucci said. "There are a lot of elements of youth basketball around the world that are without structure and accountability, and this program has really been able to address some of those issues."
Collucci's 11 years in Foggy Bottom helped prepare him for this path.
As a sharp-shooting guard, Collucci knocked down 160 3-pointers from 2000-04, helping the Colonials to an NIT berth as a senior. The Florida native still holds a piece of the program record for most 3s in one game after going 8-of-16 from long range in a win over Yale on Nov. 24, 2001.
Collucci stayed with the program as a graduate assistant and eventually moved on staff. He was on the bench for GW's string of three straight NCAA bids from 2005-07, highlighted by the 2005-06 undefeated run through the Atlantic 10 regular season that took the Buff and Blue into the national top 10.
Throughout, Collucci was surrounded by student-athletes from around the globe. His first roommate, Albert Roma, hailed from Spain, and he joined a roster that included teammates from Belarus, Ukraine and Central African Republic.
Later, he developed extensive recruiting ties overseas as he worked to continue GW's tradition of international talent.
"I loved it," Collucci said. "GW is really such a unique place."
Collucci's coaching connections abroad, bolstered during stops at American and Central Connecticut State, made Collucci a natural fit to help launch the NBA Academy program.
It wasn't easy starting from scratch – his first year on the job included seven trips to India – but it's been rewarding to see the growth. The love for the game is there, and the goal is to provide resources to match through an academy system that provides youngsters the athletic and academic support to get to the next level.
The prospects get exposure through the NBA's flagship Basketball Without Borders camps and recently introduced events in the U.S. like the NBA Academy Games and Next Generation Showcase.
"The popularity of the game is so predicated upon players being from all of these places," Collucci said. "To be able to provide a pathway to young people who wouldn't have that opportunity and see them achieve their goals is awesome."
Collucci's time is divided to support efforts around the world. One day, he'll devote to China. The next to Africa. And the next to Australia.
Before the COVID-19 global pandemic changed plans, Collucci was set to spend about 75 days on the road this year. That included a January trip to Paris to act as a liaison for the Milwaukee Bucks when they played the Charlotte Hornets in the first-ever NBA regular season game held in France.
At many events, Collucci will cross paths with former teammate Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the GW Athletic Hall of Famer who is also involved in the NBA's global development efforts.
While he's no longer on the sideline, Collucci's role allows him to work with up-and-coming talents alongside a decorated lineup of former pro and college coaches. It's satisfying work for the son of a college coach who has devoted his career to the game.
"The fun part is you get to wear a little bit of every hat," Collucci said. "I don't necessarily get on the court and draw up plays anymore, but I'm able to be part of everything that's going on. I really feel like my understanding of a lot of systems and concepts has really grown over the past three, four years."
Though his work is global, Collucci has settled locally with his wife Amy and two children Kendall (8) and Zachary (7). The memories of his time representing the Buff and Blue came rushing back recently when he connected with fellow alumni and the current staff via video conference call.
Collucci has been a part of some of the program's brightest moments, and he's optimistic there will be more like that coming soon under head coach Jamion Christian.
"Jamion and his staff have really taken the time to engage the alumni community, and it's awesome," Collucci said. "They speak with such pride for the school. I think there's genuine intention to bring the program to the highest level they can, and it's about really making the program itself better, from former players to current players to future players."
"KD! KD! KD!"
Collucci peered out the window to see a crowd of 30,000 people below waiting for a glimpse of Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors. No matter that it was well past midnight, the enthusiastic group didn't want to miss the chance to welcome the reigning NBA champions to Shanghai, China.
Supporting the NBA's global development initiatives, Collucci has seen the growing passion for the league worldwide first-hand over the past four years, and that moment from the 2017 NBA Global Games stands alone illustrating just how popular it's become.
"That was really mind-blowing to see the power of that brand and how recognizable those athletes are," said Collucci, who works within the NBA's International Basketball Operations as senior manager in charge of player pathways and coaching. "It was like 'Wow.' This was literally just to see them get off a bus and walk into the hotel lobby at 1:30 a.m."
A former GW guard and assistant coach, Collucci has a unique opportunity to help grow the game at the youth level worldwide with the backing of the world's premier professional league.
From his home in Northern Virginia, Collucci supports the NBA Academy program with branches in Australia, China, India, Senegal and Mexico. He has been involved every step of the way since the league began sponsoring the international network of elite training and education centers for boys and girls in October 2016.
The program has recently sent its first wave of prospects to a host of American colleges, and last spring, it produced its first WNBA draft pick in Han Xu from China.
"The most rewarding aspect of this is really changing young people's lives," Collucci said. "There are a lot of elements of youth basketball around the world that are without structure and accountability, and this program has really been able to address some of those issues."
Collucci's 11 years in Foggy Bottom helped prepare him for this path.
As a sharp-shooting guard, Collucci knocked down 160 3-pointers from 2000-04, helping the Colonials to an NIT berth as a senior. The Florida native still holds a piece of the program record for most 3s in one game after going 8-of-16 from long range in a win over Yale on Nov. 24, 2001.
Collucci stayed with the program as a graduate assistant and eventually moved on staff. He was on the bench for GW's string of three straight NCAA bids from 2005-07, highlighted by the 2005-06 undefeated run through the Atlantic 10 regular season that took the Buff and Blue into the national top 10.
Throughout, Collucci was surrounded by student-athletes from around the globe. His first roommate, Albert Roma, hailed from Spain, and he joined a roster that included teammates from Belarus, Ukraine and Central African Republic.
Later, he developed extensive recruiting ties overseas as he worked to continue GW's tradition of international talent.
"I loved it," Collucci said. "GW is really such a unique place."
Collucci's coaching connections abroad, bolstered during stops at American and Central Connecticut State, made Collucci a natural fit to help launch the NBA Academy program.
It wasn't easy starting from scratch – his first year on the job included seven trips to India – but it's been rewarding to see the growth. The love for the game is there, and the goal is to provide resources to match through an academy system that provides youngsters the athletic and academic support to get to the next level.
The prospects get exposure through the NBA's flagship Basketball Without Borders camps and recently introduced events in the U.S. like the NBA Academy Games and Next Generation Showcase.
"The popularity of the game is so predicated upon players being from all of these places," Collucci said. "To be able to provide a pathway to young people who wouldn't have that opportunity and see them achieve their goals is awesome."
Collucci's time is divided to support efforts around the world. One day, he'll devote to China. The next to Africa. And the next to Australia.
Before the COVID-19 global pandemic changed plans, Collucci was set to spend about 75 days on the road this year. That included a January trip to Paris to act as a liaison for the Milwaukee Bucks when they played the Charlotte Hornets in the first-ever NBA regular season game held in France.
At many events, Collucci will cross paths with former teammate Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the GW Athletic Hall of Famer who is also involved in the NBA's global development efforts.
While he's no longer on the sideline, Collucci's role allows him to work with up-and-coming talents alongside a decorated lineup of former pro and college coaches. It's satisfying work for the son of a college coach who has devoted his career to the game.
"The fun part is you get to wear a little bit of every hat," Collucci said. "I don't necessarily get on the court and draw up plays anymore, but I'm able to be part of everything that's going on. I really feel like my understanding of a lot of systems and concepts has really grown over the past three, four years."
Though his work is global, Collucci has settled locally with his wife Amy and two children Kendall (8) and Zachary (7). The memories of his time representing the Buff and Blue came rushing back recently when he connected with fellow alumni and the current staff via video conference call.
Collucci has been a part of some of the program's brightest moments, and he's optimistic there will be more like that coming soon under head coach Jamion Christian.
"Jamion and his staff have really taken the time to engage the alumni community, and it's awesome," Collucci said. "They speak with such pride for the school. I think there's genuine intention to bring the program to the highest level they can, and it's about really making the program itself better, from former players to current players to future players."
GW v LaSalle MBB (03/01/25) Post Game Presser
Sunday, March 02
GW v UMASS (2/22/25) Post Game PRESSER GW
Sunday, February 23
GW MBB vs. GMU (02/05/25) Post Game Presser
Saturday, February 22
GW v SJU PRESSER (02/19/25) Players
Thursday, February 20