Hernando Planells from Hollywood Sets to Global Coaching (EP363)
In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Hernando Planells shares lessons from Hollywood sets and global coaching.
With over two decades of experience spanning professional and collegiate basketball, as well as film and TV, Hernando Planells is a dynamic coach, film and tv sports coordinator, and leadership consultant. As the Technical Director of the NBA Basketball School in Dubai, he combines his passion for basketball with a mission to inspire the next generation of athletes across the UAE.
Hernando's coaching career includes:
- Duke University (Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Led the team to an ACC Championship, two Elite Eights, and six NCAA Tournament appearances. Recruited, coached and developed 11 future WNBA players, including Las Vegas Aces and Team USA guard Chelsea Gray, while maintaining a 100% graduation rate.
- Maine Red Claws (NBA G-League): Worked with the Boston Celtics affiliate alongside current Celtics Assistant GM Austin Ainge, developing players such as 12-year NBA veteran Avery Bradley and Mario West.
- International Coaching: Served as the Head Coach for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan and the University of the East in the Philippines, as well as the head coach for the New Zealand Junior National Team.
- William Jessup University (Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Guided the team to their first GSAC championship, earning Coach of the Year honors and an NAIA national tournament appearance.
- University of Illinois and UNLV: Gained valuable experience under former NBA Assistant Coach Bill Bayno.
Beyond coaching, Hernando has made significant contributions to film and TV as a part owner and sports coordinator/choreographer for Game Changing Films on major projects like 'Coach Carter,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'Swagger’, 'The Crossover,' and the newly released “Running Point’ starring Kate Hudson on Netflix. ”bringing authentic basketball action to the screen. He is also the founder of Be Contagious Leadership a consulting company dedicated to empowering teams and organizations through courage, communication, and connection.
A proud father, Hernando’s son Preston Planells, who is in his first year as the assistant women's basketball coach at New Mexico State, and Gabrielle Planells, is a senior theatre student at Chico State University. Driven by a passion for storytelling, leadership, and basketball, Hernando’s goal is to empower athletes both on and off the court.
