Vítor Benite is a Brazilian basketball player and graduate of the Professional Development Program, designed by Johan Cruyff Institute together with the Spanish Basketball Clubs Association (acb)
At 35 years old, Vítor Benite has built a long career in professional basketball. Throughout his journey, he has played in the leagues of Brazil, Italy, and Croatia, and has even been part of the Brazilian national team. In parallel with his sporting career, Vítor took part in the professional development program created through the collaboration between Johan Cruyff Institute and the acb. “An important part of the program was stepping outside of sport, connecting with other areas, learning from different fields, listening to people working in other sectors,” he explains.
After the program, Vítor decided to continue his education and completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management Online. This academic experience helped him better understand the sports industry and prepare for life beyond the court: “Thanks to my studies, I am beginning to recognize the areas I enjoy most within the sector.” In this interview, Vítor reflects on his career as a player and emphasizes the importance of academic education as a complement to athletic training.
What personal and professional lessons has playing in countries such as Brazil, Spain, or Italy given you?
The career of a professional athlete comes with constant challenges. In my case, leaving Brazil to play in Spain meant adapting to a much more demanding league, both physically and mentally. That experience helped me grow on and off the court. I realized that if you feel good outside the court—if you find your go-to coffee place, if you feel part of the environment—your performance improves.
“Adapting to a new culture, language, and style of play forces you to evolve. You learn resilience, how to reinvent yourself. All of this has made me mature not only as a player but also as a person.”
How has your role on the team changed over the years?
When I started, my goal was to stand out individually: improve my stats, play great games. Over time, I understood that what really matters is not only shining but making sure the team wins. Today, with more experience, I know how to contribute differently: by managing tough moments, supporting younger teammates, and using my journey to strengthen the group.
It is no longer just about playing well, but about contributing with leadership and emotional balance. That is one of the great lessons of long-term sport.
What has been the most difficult moment of your sporting career?
Without a doubt, injuries. At 22, I tore the anterior cruciate ligament in my left knee. It was a long, demanding process, both physically and mentally. You lose confidence in your body, and that is very tough. But it is also what makes you grow the most. You learn to focus, to be patient, and to value every minute on the court.
Another major challenge has been the distance from family. Missing birthdays, watching your nephews grow up from afar. But when you choose an uncommon path, you know it comes with sacrifices not everyone is willing to make.
What motivated you to study at Johan Cruyff Institute?
I had always wanted to study, but I kept postponing it due to the training and match schedule. I thought it wasn’t compatible. Everything changed when Johan Cruyff Institute launched a program with the acb and I was invited to join. I realized it is possible to study while competing at the highest level, and I really enjoyed it.
“After that personal development program, I decided to continue with the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management Online. It allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the sector, discover new areas of interest, and start preparing for the future.”
How has academic education influenced your career, both on and off the court?
Studying has helped me disconnect from competitive stress. Leaving behind a bad game and sitting down to learn about economics or management allowed me to relax my mind. When I went back to training the next day, I was fresher, more focused. It’s a very positive cycle: study, train, compete. Each part fuels the other.
In addition, sharing studies with people from different fields broadens your perspective. Professional development is not only about learning theory: it is also about expanding your vision.
What advice would you give to athletes who want to study but feel they don’t have the time?
I would tell them to start now, without putting too much pressure on themselves. Do it at your own pace, even if it takes longer. Academic progress, just like athletic progress, is gradual. Nobody gets it right from day one: you improve with consistent practice. The same applies to studying.
“You don’t need to be the top student—just consistent. In my case, studying without pressure helped me feel calmer, both on and off the court. It’s an investment that truly pays off.”
What has been the most valuable lesson from your academic experience?
Patience. We live in a society that wants immediate results, but important things take time. I learned to study a little every day, without stress. I treated it as a hobby, and that helped me complete both the development program and the postgraduate diploma in two years while still competing.
It is the same principle I’ve applied throughout my career: training over and over until something becomes natural. Consistency is everything.
How do you envision your future, within or outside of sport?
I still want to compete at the highest level for a few more years. But thanks to my studies, I am starting to picture other possibilities: I would like to stay connected to sport, perhaps through club management, the Olympic committee, or a federation.
I firmly believe in sport as a social tool, especially for young people. It fosters values, builds community, and keeps you away from bad habits. That’s why I want to remain part of this world, contributing through both experience and knowledge.
