Walking into the Jamsil Student Gymnasium on Monday night, I felt that familiar buzz of anticipation—the kind that only a high-stakes finals game can bring. Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers were about to face off against the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League Finals, and the energy was electric. As I watched Tamayo steer his team to a decisive 75-66 victory in Game One, it struck me how much this moment echoed the legacy of another iconic team I’ve spent years studying: Amsterdam’s AFC Ajax. Now, you might wonder what a basketball game in Seoul has to do with a football club from the Netherlands, but bear with me—the parallels are uncanny. Both embody a philosophy built on youth development, tactical innovation, and an almost obsessive commitment to excellence. Ajax, much like the Sakers in this finals series, didn’t just stumble into success; they crafted it through decades of intentional, forward-thinking strategy.

Let’s rewind a bit. Ajax’s story begins in 1900, when a group of friends in Amsterdam decided to form a football club. Little did they know they were laying the foundation for one of the most influential teams in the sport’s history. I’ve always been drawn to clubs with a clear identity, and Ajax’s is unmistakable: the red-and-white stripes, the "Godenzonen" (Sons of the Gods) nickname, and that relentless attacking style known as "Total Football." Coined under the legendary Rinus Michels in the 1960s and perfected by Johan Cruyff, this philosophy demanded that every player, regardless of position, could attack, defend, and control the game. It wasn’t just a tactic; it was an art form. I remember watching old footage of Cruyff gliding across the pitch, dropping deep to orchestrate play, and thinking, "This is what football should be." That ethos propelled Ajax to three consecutive European Cup wins from 1971 to 1973—a feat that, in my opinion, remains one of the sport’s crowning achievements.

But here’s the thing: Ajax’s success isn’t just about trophies. It’s about their unparalleled youth academy, De Toekomst (The Future). I’ve visited the facility a few times, and each time, I’m struck by the sheer focus on nurturing talent. From Cruyff to Marco van Basten, and more recently, Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, the pipeline of homegrown stars is staggering. In fact, over 85% of Ajax’s first-team squad in the 2018-2019 season—the one that made that magical run to the Champions League semifinals—came through their academy. That’s not a coincidence; it’s a testament to a system that prioritizes technical skill and intelligence over brute force. Similarly, in Monday’s KBL Finals, Carl Tamayo—a rising star who’s been honed through rigorous development—scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, showcasing how investing in youth pays dividends when it matters most. It’s a lesson many clubs outside football could learn from, honestly.

Now, let’s talk about the modern era. Ajax’s 2018-2019 campaign was, for me, a nostalgic revival of their golden years. Under manager Erik ten Hag, they played with a fearlessness that reminded everyone why this club is special. They dismantled giants like Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League, with youngsters like de Ligt and de Jong leading the charge. I’ll never forget de Ligt’s header against Juventus—a 19-year-old captain scoring the decisive goal in Turin. It was poetic, really. That team’s revenue hit around €200 million that season, a 35% increase from the previous year, proving that success on the pitch translates financially. But what I admire most is how Ajax balances tradition with innovation. They’ve embraced data analytics and modern scouting while staying true to their roots. For instance, their use of expected goals (xG) metrics has refined their attacking plays without compromising their signature style.

Of course, no legacy is without its challenges. Ajax has faced financial pressures, with bigger clubs constantly poaching their talent. Losing de Jong to Barcelona for €75 million and de Ligt to Juventus for €85.5 million in 2019 was a blow, but it’s also part of their model—develop, shine, and sell, reinvesting the profits into the next generation. In some ways, it’s similar to how the Changwon LG Sakers have to adapt in the KBL Finals; after Tamayo’s standout performance, other teams will study him closely, forcing the Sakers to evolve. Ajax’s resilience here is impressive; they’ve consistently bounced back, like in the 2020-2021 season when they won the Eredivisie with a record 88 points. Personally, I think this cycle of renewal is what keeps them relevant. It’s not about clinging to past glories but building anew each season.

Wrapping this up, Ajax’s legacy is a masterclass in sustainable excellence. From Total Football to their youth-centric model, they’ve shown that greatness isn’t a one-off event but a continuous journey. Watching Carl Tamayo and the Sakers take that Game One win, I saw echoes of Ajax’s spirit—a blend of preparation, passion, and poise under pressure. If there’s one takeaway I’d leave you with, it’s this: whether in football or basketball, the teams that endure are those who invest in their identity. Ajax isn’t just a club; it’s a blueprint for lasting success. And as the KBL Finals unfold, I’ll be rooting for more of that same magic—on and off the court.