SACRAMENTO, CA — After leading the Sacramento Kings to the finals in the 2025 NBA Summer League as head coach, Dipesh Mistry is taking a moment to reflect on the journey that brought him here—from a Canadian upbringing and Indian heritage to coaching in the world’s premier basketball league.

Mistry, who has spent the past three seasons with the Kings as Head Video Coordinator and Player Development Coach, will now join Doug Christie’s staff as an Assistant Coach and Player Developer for the 2025–26 NBA season. But it was his recent role leading the Kings’ Summer League squad that placed him in the spotlight, not only as a rising coaching talent but also as a figure of representation for the global Indian diaspora.

In an exclusive interview, Mistry shared how his cultural roots remain central to his identity, even as his career has spanned continents and elite basketball organizations.

“When I graduated college, I took a one-way flight to Hong Kong and backpacked around the world,” Mistry recalled. “One of the stops I made was India—Mumbai, then a train to Navsari, Gujarat—where I stayed for two or three weeks to see where my parents and grandparents came from. It stuck with me.”

Though he admits his Gujarati is limited, the connection to his heritage is deep. “It’s a huge honor to be the first to do it,” he said. “Growing up, I was always looking to see who looked like me doing this kind of job.”

Mistry finds inspiration in Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who, like him, rose through the NBA video room ranks and comes from a mixed heritage background. “The closest example I had was Spoelstra—Filipino-American, started in the video room, and made it to the top. Seeing someone who looks like you makes you believe it’s possible.”

Before joining the Kings, Mistry spent five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, rising from Head Video Coordinator (2018–19) to Coaching Assistant and Special Assistant to the Head Coach (2021–2023). His NBA journey began with the Phoenix Suns in 2017–18. Earlier, he served as video coordinator for Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team from 2013–2016—including at the Rio 2016 Olympics—and later with the Canadian men’s team from 2017 to 2018.

A native of Canada, Mistry earned his degree from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). But while his résumé reflects a steady ascent through basketball’s ranks, his focus remains rooted in process rather than destination.

“I still have dreams of being an NBA head coach one day. It’s not going to happen anytime soon—I know that,” he said. “But I’m a sponge. I’m learning from every coach around me. If it happens, great. If not, that’s okay. I’m here for the journey.”

Mistry’s daily routine speaks to his commitment. “I’m up at 5:30 a.m., every day. Scouting reports, watching film, breaking it down, sharing notes with the coaches, then hitting the floor. It’s a grind—but I enjoy it.”

His work ethic and humility haven’t gone unnoticed. Doug Christie, a Kings assistant and former NBA player, has become a mentor and collaborator, and the two now prepare to lead the team’s player development efforts in the coming season.

For Mistry, the meaning of success extends beyond wins and titles—it’s about representation, opportunity, and legacy. “There are Indian coaches out there—whether in the NBA or in college—who are looking for someone to look up to. If I can be that for someone, that’s a great honor and privilege.”

As the NBA continues to globalize, voices like Mistry’s represent more than just personal ambition. They mark a shift in who gets seen, who gets hired, and who gets to dream. And for Mistry, a kid who once had an NBA wallpaper on his laptop, that dream is very much alive. (IANS)