Todd Troxel: Behind the Work That Shapes Basketball Greatness

The camera pans across an empty court. The echoes of a bouncing ball fade into silence. In the corner, a coach adjusts a rack of basketballs, quietly preparing for the next session. This is Todd Troxel’s world—not the bright lights of game night, but the quiet hours where real progress is made.

For decades, Troxel has been the steady presence behind some of basketball’s biggest names, a coach whose fingerprints are on championship trophies from Europe to Asia to the NCAA. His story isn’t about chasing the spotlight—it’s about building it for others.

Act One: Learning the Craft in the NBA

Troxel’s journey began in the high-stakes environment of NBA player development. For more than ten years, he worked with some of the league’s most dedicated athletes, designing workouts that pushed their limits while sharpening every detail of their game.

Joel Przybilla, a defensive specialist and ninth overall draft pick, relied on Troxel to refine his footwork and positioning. OJ Mayo, a gifted scorer and third overall pick, saw improvements in his shooting consistency and conditioning under Troxel’s guidance.

These years weren’t just a masterclass in basketball technique—they were an education in human performance, teaching Troxel how to manage personalities, motivate under pressure, and create trust that would hold through the toughest stretches of a season.

Act Two: A New Arena in Women’s Basketball

The next chapter unfolded thousands of miles away, in Russia. Troxel accepted a position with UMMC Ekaterinburg, one of the most dominant women’s basketball teams in the world. It was there he met Diana Taurasi—a player already building her legacy as the greatest in the sport.

Introduced by team owner Shabtai Kalmanovich, the two connected quickly. “After about a week, Diana and I got in the gym,” Troxel remembers. “From that day on, we trained every single day.”

Their sessions blended NBA-style physicality with precision skill work. But Troxel’s role extended well beyond drills. He was a strategist, scouting opponents, finding vulnerabilities, and delivering in-game insights to keep Taurasi one step ahead.

Off the court, the relationship grew into something more. “Once we were family, I gave everything to be what she needed in a coach,” Troxel says. “In return, I got a sister for life.”

Act Three: Championships on a Global Stage

With UMMC, Troxel helped secure Euroleague titles in 2013 and 2016, plus multiple top-three finishes in one of basketball’s toughest competitions. His success overseas proved that his methods could thrive in any environment.

From Russia, he moved to China to join the Shanghai Sharks organization. There, he led the junior team to two straight championships and guided the senior squad into the CBA playoffs. Each stop demanded cultural adaptation, but the constants were clear: preparation, discipline, and an unwavering standard for excellence.

Act Four: The Philosophy

Troxel’s approach to coaching is grounded in three principles:

1. Never stop learning – Whether from NBA film sessions, Euroleague tactics, or conversations with players, Troxel stays a student of the game.
    

2. Never get outworked – The energy he brings to every practice sets the tone for his players.
    

3. Tell the truth – Even elite athletes need someone willing to give honest feedback, no matter how uncomfortable.
    

“Top athletes don’t want a yes man,” he says. “They want the truth. They want someone who will challenge them to be better.”

Act Five: Beyond the Court

For all his global travel and career milestones, Troxel’s foundation is firmly in family. He’s a devoted husband and father, and the lessons he’s learned in basketball—discipline, honesty, resilience—are the same ones he works to pass on to his daughter.

Years abroad have given him a deep respect for cultural differences, but they’ve also reinforced the universality of certain values: trust, effort, and the pursuit of improvement.

Closing Scene: The Road Ahead

The lights fade, the game clock resets, and Troxel is back where he’s always been—quietly preparing for the next challenge. Whether it’s mentoring a freshman at Oklahoma State or advising a pro in the offseason, his mission hasn’t changed: get better every single day.

From NBA practice floors to Euroleague celebrations, from CBA playoff runs to NCAA competition, Todd Troxel’s career is proof that greatness isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s built here, in the quiet, deliberate work before the world is watching.