MEET THE TEAM
Founder / Coach
Giorgi Koguashvili
Giorgi's basketball playing career began as a member of the U16 Georgian Basketball National Team. He then moved to the USA to start his collegiate career at Union University. Gio would later transfer to the University of Minnesota (Crookston) with a full basketball scholarship, and pursue his bachelor's degree in business management and economics. He received his certification in Global Sports Management at NYU and the EuroLeague Coaches Academy.
Travel Team Girls & Brooklyn Cup Boys Coach
Patrick "Pat" Granjean
Patrick played varsity basketball at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY. His collegiate career started at the D-2 level at Jamestown Community College, ultimately completing his college career at SUNY Old Westbury. Pat also played professional basketball for for a year in the ABA (Staten Island Vipers).
Brooklyn Cup Boys & Girls Coach
Luka Malania
Luka grew up in the eastern European nation of Georgia, and played professional basketball for his country for four years. He moved to the USA in 2021, and is one of the first (and youngest) coaches here at BBA. Luka loves the game tremendously, and is improving his coaching skills daily. Within every session and team that he coaches, Luka's enthusiasm and energy has made him a favorite amongst BBA's students.
Director of Travel Team Basketball + Coach
Juan Rivera
Although basketball was a very unconventional route for Juan, he brings over 15 years of experience across all aspects of the sport as a coach, program founder, event organizer, tournament director, and even as a referee. He is dedicated to teaching and sharing his deep knowledge of basketball from the youth to the professional level. He is also the founder of the semi-pro circuit, Epiphany Sports. He recently wrapped up a successful 6-year career as the Assistant Coach for the nationally-ranked varsity basketball program at St. Raymond High School for Boys in The Bronx. He's now serving as BBA's full-time Director for the Travel Team Program.
Director of Brooklyn Cup + Coach
Maria Laterza
Maria's basketball journey is a testament to her passion for the sport and dedication to its growth. From her roots in Southern Brooklyn to her international playing career and influential role in the NBA's global initiatives, she has experienced the game from multiple perspectives. As a player, Maria's path took her from local grassroots leagues to collegiate success and professional play in Europe. Her administrative career with the NBA focused on developing international talent and expanding the sport's reach worldwide. Now, Maria brings her wealth of experience and love for the game to youth development. As a lead coach in the Development League, she is committed to nurturing young talent and sharing her knowledge. Her approach combines her global insights with a deep understanding of local basketball culture, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of players.
Travel Team Boys Coach
Lasha Parghalava
Lasha Parghalava is an international basketball scout and trainer, hailing from the eastern European nation of Georgia. Since 2015 Lasha has been based between Brooklyn and Los Angeles, all while simultaneously coaching and scouting on an international scale. After wrapping up a 4-year collegiate basketball career at the D-1 level, he would then play professionally over the next 9 years in multiple countries. Additionally, Lasha has coordinated and managed youth basketball programs across the country, including managing the Zaza Pachulia Basketball Academy in Tbilisi, Georgia. He has also managed and coached at the Nike Rise Academy in Shanghai, China. Throughout his experiences, Lasha has built strong connections within the global basketball industry.
Brooklyn Cup Boys Coach
Carter Begel
Growing up in Los Angeles, CA, Carter played four years of varsity basketball at Harvard-Westlake High School, winning two CIF championships. After completing his undergraduate degree at Williams College (MA), Carter returned to Los Angeles to begin personal basketball skills training with boys and girls ages 8-18. He recently made the cross-country move to NY to continue his passion for developing young athletes. Within his second season here at BBA, Carter is looking to continue to aid in building a foundation of fundamentals for our young players on the court and in the weight room, all while pairing this with a strong IQ for the game.
Travel Team Boys Coach
Franz Depra
Franz's basketball journey began in his home nation of the Phillippines. He moved to the USA at 9 years old, growing up in Mount Kisco, NY. Franz played varsity basketball at Fox Lane High School in Westchester County. He just recently finished playing college basketball at Brooklyn College, all while majoring in Exercise Science.
Intro to Basketball Coach
Lizi Tialadze
Welcome to BBA!