A Hoops Journey

Emily Potter is a proud Manitoban, a stud hooper and a long time member of Canada basketball! Her journey starts out at a young age being addicted to ringette, loving the game and what came with it but also realizing she was super competitive as well! After a few long seasons of Ringette and being 5'11 in Grade 9, Emily figured she would give hoops a try and it was over from there. That summer she tried out and made the U17 Manitoba Provincial Team, an experience that shaped her career forever.  From dominant high school years, to being cut and then making the Canadian team, Emily decided to take the jump to big time Division 1 and attend the University of Utah. The decision was tiring and stressful but it became easier knowing how many former and current Canadians had played at Utah! Emily now finds herself finishing her 7th overseas season, one in which her team went an astonishing 27-0, won the cup and she was named MVP! Emily is back home training and getting ready for Canada Basketball training camp, working hard in her somewhat veteran role and continuing to grown as much as she can! Thanks to Emily for being with us, tap in! Emily Potter  - Guest https://www.instagram.com/empotter10/?hl=en https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/emily-potter Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Right alongside our mental health episode with the @kevinlovefoundation this might be our most important one ever! Mitch has the opportunity to sit down with friend and guest Scott Morrison to discuss hoops and life!  This episode is different though, after a brief catchup on a recent vacation, the Jazz, NBA playoffs and Canada basketball hire Gordie Herbert, we dive into an important topic and week coming up for Scott and his family!  Through their foundation, Scott and his wife Susanne will be auctioning off a bunch of game-worn shoes from NBA media and coaches that were designed by the talented @jsm_801_customs, plus a ton of autographed items from players all to improve our knowledge and understanding of Autism. @tothemaxfoundation is working hard to raise money in the local community to help families who can't get the resources necessary to support their autistic children.  In this episode Scott gives the story of their son, Max, making the choice to leave a contract in Australia to better Max life, how being open to sharing your story and advocacy are vital, plus so much more!  The auction will be LIVE on, Tuesday, May 13th at @sothebys, all info will be shared on our platforms and at To the Max. A lack of acceptance and inclusion are something no human should ever have to face, please take time to educate yourself and if you have the means make a donation or bid on an item. All the best to the Morrison family!!!  #Ahoopsjourney #CanadaBasketball #Autismacceptance #tothemaxfoundation   Scott Morrison  - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Morrison_(basketball_coach) Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

TRIPLE OG time! Yes, you recognize this man from being a @cfl superstar on the field, grey cup champion, former Oregon Duck and current TSN @nfl and @cfl analyst! HOWEVER, what you might not know is Davis first love was and still is hoops! Chez was a problem on the court in high school, guarding and attacking the rim, causing havoc all over the place and letting everyone know about it! After a great high school career Davis played his first year at Capilano U, Mitch and Davis have some great laughs and memories about these times. The wildest part of Davis story is after playing ONE YEAR of organized football in grade ten, he decided to play community after Cap because a friend brought him out. From there Davis leaves for Butte College in California, becomes an All-American and a future Hall of Famer! It's then onto Division 1, CFL, NFL and so much more! We'll stop here and let you tap in, we appreciate the time and know you will love this one!!!! Davis Sanchez - Guest https://x.com/DavisSanchez https://www.instagram.com/davissancheztsn Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

What timing and opportunity to sit down with recent USPORT DPOY, Final 8 MVP and National Champion Sam Maillet! The Acadian named Maillet gives Mitch a quick education on his name and family history, setting the table for a fantastic episode. Growing up in Moncton, New Brunswick has lots of advantages and disadvantages, and Sam isn't afraid to discuss. The personal pride and community feel were apparent to Sam, and once he started falling in Iove with basketball, it was clear he would stay east, choosing Dalhousie as his post-secondary option. After four great seasons at Dal, including second place at the Final 8, Sam made the tough decision to move out west and attend UVic in his final year! Sam tells the whole back story and reasoning behind this decision; there's more to it than one might think! After a great summer with the Vancouver Bandits, Sam was ready to play for the Uvic Vikes, and what a season it was! A top 3 team all year, losing their top scorer, a rookie coach, that all somehow ended in the things we dream of as hoopers! We thank Sam so much for being with us, he also took the time to answer our listeners' questions - the hair responses will throw you for a loop! Best to Sam as he enters year 2 for the Bandits, and will continue to pursue basketball overseas! This episode has it all, tap in! Sam Maillet - Guest https://govikesgo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-maillet/6804 https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/sam-maillet Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Mr. Consistency! Once you tap into Episode 157 with Adam Paige, you realize you have a bright, hard-working and talented young man on your hands! From high school days dominating at Semiahmoo Secondary, to carrying his team all the way to the Provincial finals, to being named top defensive player of the tournament, to 5 years at storied University of Alberta (where he was a league all star multiple times, AND academic award winner), trips to nationals with consistent numbers the entire way, Adam is a solidified star. With great reflection on where his career has taken him, Adam is wrapping up his pro season in Germany and has learned lots along the way. Once he returns home and this episode is out, he SHOULD have signed with a CEBL team for the summer. This is only the beginning for the young fella, we know Adam will succeed in whatever he does and wherever he goes, fantastic episode!!! Tap in! Adam Paige - Guest https://www.instagram.com/adampaige https://en.usports.ca/sports/mbkb/2021-22p/players/adampaigef3jn https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/adam-paige Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Back-to-back episodes with people in the industry! You got it, today we chip it up with long-time hoop and sports head, Raptors analyst and super dope human, Eric Smith! This is one of those episodes Mitch felt like he could just sit back and listen, stories for days, reflections on life and how you work your way through a tough industry, and many, many experiences within the game of hoops! If you follow the NBA or the Raptors at all then you have for sure seen or heard Eric on the air, his desire and love for the game started when he got the job following men's basketball at Humber College! Like many other eps, a few connections and some luck got him cracked into the business and the rest was history. We are thankful Eric took the time to chop it up with us, you can find him on many different platforms, and stay tuned as he has a book release coming in November!!!!! Tap in! Eric Smith - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Smith_(sportscaster) https://www.instagram.com/eric__smith Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Out on the West Coast today it's “Final 4 Friday” at the BC Boys Provincials, and this week we have a guest who played high school ball in the Lower Mainland, turning his love for sport into an entire career, Brad Fay! You most likely know the name but not the story, as stated Brad comes from Vancouver and was a huge hockey fan and player in his super young years. As he got older basketball became a love for him as he tagged along with his big brother to games and practices. After a couple of good years at Sir Winston Churchill and a season at Cap U, Brad made the move to Mount Royal to play basketball and continue his education. Upon returning home it was the connections with many of the local TV and Newspaper legends, plus an invite to their local run that got him “in the door” so to speak. Former guest John McKeachie became a big mentor to him, and John stuck his neck out for Brad multiple times as he expanded his career. Brad now finds himself in a long term contract with Sportsnet, covering multiple sports from the Raptors, to golf, the olympics and much more. It was a pleasure to sit down with Brad, to learn more about his craft and to reflect back on fun times. Tap in! Brad Fay - Guest https://x.com/snbradfay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Fay Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Sometimes it's human nature to wake up and start our day with a negative mindset, and throughout that day we can sometimes feel sorry for ourselves or see the glass as half empty. I would push you to sit down and check out this episode with @kurjonkuch, and realize that life is really about perspective. A Sudanese refugee, a family torn apart, to Kenya and back, which led to hard decisions made by his father, eventually landing in London, Ontario of all places led to an amazing episode right off the jump. From there we discover how late Kur was to the game, but how much it meant to him. Under the guidance of former guest @mikeprovenzanos dad at London Basketball Academy, Kur created a foundation for himself through hard work and figuring out how to improve his game. After his grade 12 season, Kur still didn't really have any post-secondary options, so he created the mindset that U Sport and a good education would be what he needed……..somehow he ended up earning a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball at Northern Colorado! To this day, a moment he cannot wrap his head around. From there, the CEBL, time with the NBL, finishing a master's, and now playing overseas, if this episode can't change your perspective on life then we don't know what will! Tap in!!! Kur Jongkuch - Guest https://x.com/kjongkuch https://www.instagram.com/kurjongkuch/ Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Warren Ward. If you take one thing away from this powerful episode, it's when you see the name don't just think “hooper.” Think businessman, brother, son, friend and a growing human. Episode 153 has us go back with one of the coldest U Sport hoopers we have seen, an absolute walking bucket (who could also guard, don't get it twisted), and an all-time leading scorer at the University of Ottawa. Having a late start to the game didn't hurt Warren or his growth, he developed a love and his skills quite rapidly, eventually getting recruited by a few schools in Canada and the states. It was a trip down to Indiana that took him down his University path, a small JUCO that didn't have the right feel motivated him to return to Canada and see what his options were. A phone call from a former guest on AHJ, Mr. Dave Deaveiro who was the head coach at Ottawa interested Warren, and after a visit to the campus he committed to the Gee-Gees. Trips to nationals, working on his craft with intention, an All-Canadian and a whole bunch of learning experiences had Warren ready to play the pro game. His story gets wild from here, as he has a brief interest from the NBA (You need to hear the story), eventually finding himself signing his first contract in Germany. After a few seasons, Warren unfortunately had multiple injuries (2 ACL tears and an Achilles), and he knew it was time to move on from the game. The growth and reflection Warren has had since then have made him the man he is today; all the the things we started this writeup with and so much more. Warren also is in the podcast game, give his show @youonlydietwicepod a follow! Such a dope episode, tap in!!!!!!!!!! Warren Ward - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ward_(basketball) Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Disclaimer: Huge props to JCD who has recently signed his first ever pro contract with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL! Let's get it! This is a super unique story; one of hoop lineage from both mom and dad, of heartbreak and sadness at an early age, one of resilience, one of seeing the light and to keep on fighting. Jack grew up in a fun and active house, sharing space with not only his immediate family but his cousins as well. At an early age the inside or outside of the Cruz - Dumont house would be littered with sports and a bunch of battles! As he grew older Jack developed a real love for the game of hoops and football, eventually finding himself and his brothers at storied Vancouver College (Thanks to his dedicated mom who went back to school to earn her degree!!). In Jacks grade ten year football was really his main thing, however the sickness of his dad John impacted his grade 10/11 year and he had challenges with focusing and being committed as any teenager would! It was through this time watching his dad battle for his life that Jack found the inspiration and motivation to keep going, to fight and not give up. From there the switch happened and he lit the fire we see today. After a solid senior year at VC, he committed to UBC to play for the T-Birds. While there Jack was on pace to graduate early due to a covid year, and realized he could eventually turn himself into a pro. Wanting to get a feel for what that might look like, a trip out to the Philippines showed Jack something special and he decided to make the move, leaving UBC after 3 years of eligibility to play in the University league with the hope of signing a pro contract…..and here we are! This young bull has lots of hoops left in him, it was a great time connecting and we are excited to see Jack's future! Tap in! Jack Cruz-Dumont - Guest https://www.instagram.com/jcruzdumont https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jack-cruz-dumont https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/jack-cruz-dumont-plans-to-turn-pro-at-the-end-of-ue-career-a5172-20241127 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

What's the definition of work? Or never giving up? Or always believing? Look no further, episode 151 with a BC UNDERRATED (yes in capital letters) guard, Mr. Diego Kapelan. Growing up in one of the most unique locations of Vancouver, combined with an immigrant family, it wasn't always easy for Diego to figure out what he wanted. With that said once basketball was introduced to him it was over, his main stay and favorite sport it was something he wanted to work at. Years at King George with a great group led to lots of success, but it took some wild moments and stories for Diego to figure out how the next step would work for him. Eventually he ended up at McNeese State where his four year career had him average 12 pts a game, 15 in his senior year!! As stated, Diego's career is sort of slept on as he ended up playing overseas for over a decade of multiple leagues and locations, which included scoring titles and many finals appearances. Between that and representing Bosnia and Canada, Diego knew the time was right to hang up the kicks after some success in the NBL, and now he finds himself giving back coaching the youth and helping the future! It's where the heart lies for Diego, we know he will crush it! Tap in! Diego Kapelan - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Kapelan https://www.instagram.com/diegoswish604 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Wow! Tap in today! Mitch sits down with a young up-and-coming coach, former D2 hooper and huge Lil Wayne fan, Mike Provenzano! Mike and his family have deep roots in the Ontario hoops scene and the sport has been in his blood for a long time. Growing up he would follow his dad to practices and games finding a love for the game that would never go away. At a young age Mike started to realize he could be pretty good at hoops and began to enjoy the daily grind of improving. Once he reached his high school years he decided to transfer to North Carolina and try ball south of the border. This experience let him compete against many future D1 and NBA players, finding himself stacking up against the competition. As high school started to wind down the decision of where to go came up, and Mike had his heart set on being a D1 player, even to the point of dropping the game forever if he couldn't get there! In the end after a redshirt year at a D2 he made the choice to go back to a school that originally recruited him, SFU. Mike had a great career up on Burnaby Mountain which led to a couple years overseas. From there his coaching journey began, with a former AHJ guest taking a chance on hiring him to being a student assistant now at Michigan State the story is great! Lots more to come for Mike and his future, all the best as he continues to work! Tap in! Mike Provenzano - Guest https://www.lightningbasketball.ca/sports/mbkb/coaches/Michael_Provenzano https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-provenzano-05550a292 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Paris Olympian!!!!! The story of Sami is a great one, from being raised in Toronto to making the decision of re classifying in high school, quitting basketball for a year and moving to New Jersey for senior season it's an action packed episode!! Growing up in a competitive family it really didn't matter what the sport was, Sami was all in and ready to try and win! Battles with siblings led to her developing a super competitive nature and that would help her later on in life for many reasons. A true understanding of roles, fierce determination, and a willingness to always try and get better had Sami being heavily recruited in her senior year. In the end she decided on Virginia Tech University and the ACC. After three great seasons the coaching staff was gone and a new group came in which ended up being great for Sami as she averaged almost 11 points and 5 rebounds that year! From there Sami dove into professional basketball and now is overseas in Spain. We couldn't get away without discussing Sami's time with Canada and the National team; starting out with the student and U18 teams to becoming an Olympian are all part of her journey! That said it wasn't always easy, Sami got super close for the Tokyo Olympics but wasn't chosen to go, it only made her more hungry to be with the team in Paris and she did it! Tap into Episode 149 and hear the story of a great hooper who's passionate about the game and its growth. We thank Sami for being with us and wish her nothing but the best going forward! Sami Hill - Guest https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/sami-hill https://www.instagram.com/samihill04 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 148 is an absolute must with a long-time Canadian legend, National team member, Division 1 star and overseas pro, Melvin Ejim. We get right into the episode and talk about the recent Paris Olympics, Melvin has a unique perspective as he's been a part of Canada's Senior Men's team for a long time and has seen it go from where it was to what it is now. The unique story of Melvin started with really only being exposed to soccer at a young age, however, it was an important Uncle who saw there could be some potential in the big man and he pushed Melvin to give basketball a try. From there the trajectory and improvement was intense, Melvin developed and kept improving to the point where he went down south and played High School in the States. Many of his teammates became future NBA and Division One stars and Melvin started to see that was something he wanted as well. In the end, he chose Iowa State, and after a solid Freshman season, Melvin was having a hard time living up to his expectations in year 2. It was an important face-to-face conversation with head coach Fred Hoiberg that changed things around. Iowa State was on the map for those years, making the NCAA tournament and Melvin was Big 12 Player of the Year, averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds in his senior year. From there he has had a great overseas career, continued to be with the National team all while balancing his life as a dad as well. This episode has lots of great reflection, Melvin is a hard-working and intelligent young man with a story worth checking out! Tap in! Melvin Ejim - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Ejim https://www.instagram.com/melvinejim3 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Layers upon layers of connections has us finally chopping it up with a former D1 hooper, big time Michigan high school player and one heck of a dude Mr. Hayes Grooms! This is an episode of adversity, success, failures, growth and maturity! Hayes is a proud Detroit native currently living in Brooklyn who grew up in the prime era of the Bad Boys Pistons plus Michigan basketball! At an early age Hayes got lucky- he had a father who built a court in his backyard! This became the local neighborhood hoops spot and location where Hayes developed a love for the game. After seasons with AAU teams, hooping with friends and developing his skills, his mom made the tough decision to send him 45 minutes away to a well known private high school, Brother Rice Michigan. After finding out he wouldn't be playing Varsity as a Freshman, Hayes got after it. He walked into gyms and lit them up on every occasion he could, waiting for his turn at the highest level. He also had a hunger to become a D1 player and the letters started pouring in. However this is where the story takes a twist, after his high school coach got fired Hayes had a solid junior season but hurt his knee. He decided to play his senior season without surgery and it had a big impact on his recruitment. To go from a top player in the state and every school recruiting you, to realizing the mailbox is empty would be hard for any graduating senior, but somehow Hayes found a way to take it in stride, look at this as an opportunity to refresh and head to Lamar University in Texas. After two years there and another major injury Hayes found his reality, realizing that basketball was coming to a close….BUT he wouldn't give up. Some amazing stories on how he ended up playing at Michigan, the career path he took and how his future took off after basketball are the whole reason you should check out this episode. The places he's worked and people he's connected with (Magic Johnson, Derek Jeter and more!) are a huge testament to Hayes leadership ability and understanding of people. Another banger of an episode that cannot be missed! Tap in! Hayes Grooms - Guest https://x.com/hg4 https://www.instagram.com/hgrooms4 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Well, folks it's here! One of the most decorated Canadian hoopers our country has ever seen, a teenage national team member, Division 1 star, NBA draft pick and legend….the one and only Leo Rautins! We were able to catch Leo just before he headed from Florida to Toronto where he picks up another season of working with TSN and the Raptors. As you know, Leo has been thriving on the broadcasting side of things which if you didn't know was always part of the plan! Mitch and Leo go back, to times in the city, playing ball and finding a love for hoops. Those times weren't always easy as the recruiting process was overwhelming for a young teenager, often avoiding phone calls and even going home because of the attention he was gaining. Leo reflects on an important relationship, one of many but one that stood out and changed his life; connecting with and learning under the legend Jack Donohue. Leo touches on many moments and people in this episode, however you can tell there's something special when it comes to coach. Giving Leo the chance at 16 to be a part of the National Team means Jack saw something in him, and he flourished under his guidance. We could honestly keep writing, but all you need to do is tap in. Syracuse, the 76ers, Europe, coaching Team Canada and more! Thanks to Leo for being with us, an all-time Canadian legend and an Ep you surely don't want to miss! Leo Rautins - Guest https://www.instagram.com/leo.rautins/?hl https://www.tsn.ca/%20%20%20%20%20%20/talent/leo-rautins-1.57195 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Mitch finally gets the chance to sit down with producer, director and content creator Eric Newman! The monster Boston Celtics fan and lover of all sports has worked hard to build his craft and talents, which landed him at Showtime Sports where he was the executive producer of Showtime Basketball where he directed & produced the feature documentary Kevin Garnett: Anything is Possible and was part of the team building shows like ALL THE SMOKE and KG Certified. As a young kid Eric spent time with his dad watching every movie possible, finding himself enjoying the films and seeing different sides than most, an early sign that his creative mind was there! As a three sport varsity athlete for three years which included a basketball conference championship it was football that ended up being the sport Eric pursued as he went to D3 Ithaca College. His College experience is where the journey starts to gain traction, meeting someone who would become his collaborator at Showtime two decades later. As it happens for many people Eric found his life in a bit of a crossroads, he was a full time teacher and basketball coach all while creating content and doing film on the side, when he realized he wanted to go for it, and did he ever! He left the teaching profession and followed his passion, building his connections and resume along the way! There are no flukes in this episode! This is a journey of hard work, “going for it” all combined with some timing and luck! Eric Newman - Guest https://x.com/coachenew Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 144 has a quick check-in with a former McDonald's All-American, Texas Longhorn and overseas pro, Myck Kabongo. You probably remember the name for many reasons, however, the former Findlay Prep star has a great story and finds himself currently coaching with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G-League. Mitch gets the chance to chat with Myck in between practices and they discuss all things hoop-related; from where the passion of the game grew for him, to playing for Coach Hurley, Myck has great reflection on his journey up to this point. The list of stars he has teamed up with or against is fantastic, and in May he decided that retirement was meant for him, however, Myck has been involved in the game since, working with our National Team, coaching youth and now working with pros. You'll have to wait for part 2 to find out what he likes for cereal, in the meantime we thank Myck for being with us and wish him all the best on his continued hoops journey! Tap in! Myck Kabongo - Guest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myck_Kabongo https://www.instagram.com/kabongofire https://x.com/MyckK9 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Finally the chance to chop it up with Canadian basketball royalty, the former Women's National Team Coach, SFU women's dynasty, high school and all in between as we have none other than Allison McNeill with us for Episode 143! If for some reason you don't know Allison's story then let us remind you…..as a player- back-to-back Championships in both high school AND University, transferred to Division 1 Oregon, and played pro ball overseas. Life certainly changed for Allison when she made the move to Salmon Arm, where her and Bev Smith created a women's high school dynasty, from there her hoops life took off! Once playing wrapped up at the University of Oregon and a short stint overseas, Allison came back home and found herself in Revelstoke with a teaching and coaching job, knowing for a long time that she wanted to become a coach. From there she continued to develop her craft, watching the National team practice on VHS and in person, building her notes and helping grow the game anyway she possibly could. After she moved to the lower mainland and coached at a couple of high schools the job came open at Simon Fraser University, she applied, got the job and never looked back. The mid 80's and 90's “up on the hill” found fantastic hoopers and people come through the program, all while being Nationally ranked at the NAIA level along the way! Allison (alongside her lifelong partner and amazing hoops brain Mike) was then appointed the Senior Women's National Team job after a couple of experiences with the student and junior teams. She takes great pride in the time put in with the program, watching the women climb in the world rankings with the pinnacle being a trip to the 2012 Olympics! We could literally go on forever, just do yourself the favor and tap in to this episode with one of the greatest in Canadian history! Allison McNeill- Guest https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/allison-mcneill/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allison_McNeill https://x.com/allisonmcneill Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Hoop heads get ready for an episode that can't be missed! So fortunate to have a guest fresh off the Olympic experience! Although raw and some tough memories, James gives us some amazing insight and thoughts about Team Canada and the Paris Olympics! James DePoe is a GTA and Humber Hawk through and through, plus our current Men's Senior National Team Manager. The former baseball player and semi-hooper has fond memories of growing up in Toronto watching many famous players at the high school level during the prime time of hoops in the city. After spending lots of time trying to figure out what he wanted to do after high school, James found himself in the radio program at Humber, from there a former teammate asked him to come be the manager of the Hawks Men's basketball team and his life turned for a path he couldn't have imagined! Currently, James finds himself not only the full-time manager for the Senior Men's team he also has an important role at Humber College, mentoring young up-and-coming managers all while running the college facilities as well. Recently he was nominated for being one of Humber's top 50 most influential staff members, a great accomplishment to say the least! The stories James brings are amazing; from all the warriors who have fought for Canada Basketball, to times on the road, amazing wins, and lots more. Tap into this one, James is a thoughtful and motivated person in his field all while impacting many along the way, we really appreciate him being with us! James DePoe - Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-depoe-4a505660/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.depoe/ Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 141 with former UBC TBIRD shooting guard and current overseas pro, Jess Hanson. Mitch and Jess go way back, probably further than you can imagine! Since her early days Jess was surrounded by basketball, her dad a former collegiate star and current UBC Men's head coach, plus her mom being an NAIA standout it's no surprise basketball was the pick! That said, other sports had a chance and Jess found track very intriguing, however, basketball was the choice and she never looked back. After some great high school seasons at Little Flower Academy including making the Provincial Final, Jess worked through the recruiting process and ended up choosing UBC. You might say to yourself “Duh” but there's more to it, Jess wasn't a guarantee to attend UBC and other schools were on her doorstep. In the end, Jess decided to stay home, becoming a Can-West all-star and much more! We wish Jess the best as she gets ready to head over to Portugal for another season of professional hoops. This episode was so fun, with some insightful conversations and more! Tap in! Jess Hanson - Guest https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessica-hanson/7557 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

We head back overseas for episode 140 with the big fella, Chris McLaughlin! The current overseas pro has been hooping in Hong Kong for some time now, has found himself some great experiences both on and off the court and continues to enjoy life and ball! A true islander at heart, Chris grew up in Ontario but always had a soft spot for “the rock”. As Chris started to physically grow, basketball became a sport he was interested in learning more about and getting better at. High school led to sharpening his craft and enjoying what came with it. It ended up being a family trip out west that is a great story on how Chris chose his future post-secondary school, the University of Victoria! After a tough rookie season, Chris starts to figure out the University game, leading his Vikes to multiple national appearances while collecting Canada West POY and All-Canadian awards along the way. In his senior year, the big man averaged 19.8 points and 10 rebounds a game, numbers don't lie! Chris is currently playing for Eastern in the Hong Kong league, and after having an MVP season he just had to run it back! This (possible) future teacher used to sub-teach at Mitch's school, has lots of great stories and reflections plus a positive perspective on life! You know the drill, time to tap in! Much respect and thanks to Chris for being with us, all the best for the upcoming season! Chris McLaughlin - Guest https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/chris-mclaughlin Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Damn! Let's do this! It's Paris 2024 and basketball starts today, so of course we had to bring you some content! The episode starts with friend of the show and our guy, Alex Adams who has grown in his reporting space and brings great insight on the women's side of the tournament plus many adventurers. Mitch and Alex discuss the potential of the women, what it will take to move onto post pool play and lots more!! After that we chop it up with former guests of the show Mr. David Larkins and Scott Morrison. The three fellas discuss all things Canada on the men's side; their pool, growth of the program and some calls on how it might all pan out for the team! If you happen to stay with the episode that long (which of course you will), we have a super fun draft based around the summer Olympics that we need you to chime in on! Rock with us…….. and GO CANADA!!!! Guests Alex Adams David Larkins Scott Morrison Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

This is a really cool episode, all be it number 139! We have the chance to chop it up with current @bandits guard and dynamic overseas pro, Glen Yang. Burnaby-born and semi Hong Kong / Calgary-raised Glen has a unique story worth checking out. Moving to a major international location like Hong Kong at a young age can have positives and negatives. The main positive is that Glen found his most important mentor there, a coach who had him drop the X-Box controller and really learn to love the game of hoops! In that time Glen traveled back and forth to his mom's home city, Calgary. During the summers Glen would go to camps in the states but also spent a majority of his time hooping in the city, finding the parks and local runs and stacking himself up against bigger and older talent. Ironically Glen ends up signing with Mt. Royal, a place he never envisioned until It happened. Once pen went to paper he took major pride in trying to build a young U Sport program and help put them on the map. After five great years Glen ended up getting his first pro contract in Spain, and he learned alot, both for the good and bad. Combine covid, the Phillapeans, Hong Kong and so much more his journey is real! Currently Glen is focused on finishing the best he can on a talented Bandits squad which will then lead him to his next spot to hoop. We wish him all the best, and trust us, stick around to hear his all-time teammates to run with, there are some legendary names in it! Respect to the young killer, tap in as usual!! Glen Yang - Guest https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/glen-yang https://www.instagram.com/g_yang13 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

A hoops journey finds itself in Vegas this week so it's a brief Q&A with Mitch and Mitch only! We cover the game between the US and Canada on Wednesday, some thoughts on local hoops, how to improve within the club AND high school system and more! A fun episode tap in!!! Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Another triple OG joins us on AHJ! We know this is a guest the people have wanted for a long time! Stop for a second……there are serious layers to this episode. Many in the BC hoops community would know John as the outgoing and fun personality he is, however, his story has lots of details you might not know. Growing up in Chilliwack, BC, John fell in love with hoops after the mentorship and guidance of his Grade 5 teacher who made him believe in himself. From there John spent most summers heading to camps in the United States, staying with family and stacking up against American talent!! After two dominant years in high school, the Provincial (Yup, jumped over 3 people!!) slam dunk champion got what he finally wanted; a Division 1 scholarship offer. The offer was from a small school deep in the United States, Tennessee Tech University. Once John steps on campus is where his journey really starts to take twists and turns, and where we will stop typing and you should start listening. Ironically this episode drops over Canada Day weekend, a time that changed John's life forever. After diving into shallow water John had a moment where he thought his life was over, breaking his neck and unable to move in the water he had the literal “flash before my eyes” moment, but it wasn't meant to be for him. He went on to have a risky surgery that worked, rehabbed his way back to health and finished his eligibility at UBC!! Tap in! Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

“Why Not?” For those who don't know Blake Murphy's story, this is an episode you won't want to miss. The Cambridge, Ontario native was born and raised a hockey kid, spending time at the rink only until a change in scenery for him and a new friend group exposed him to the game of basketball. During high school, Blake and his crew found a love for the game and enjoyed hooping together. After his Grade 12 year, like many teenagers Blake, had no idea where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do. After spending time in University he decided to head west and do his Masters in Journalism at UBC. With that move a big opportunity to work with the university's athletic teams in many different facets came about, from sports writing, to play-by-play and all in between. This is a sports junkie's dream and Blake dove in head first, covering numerous teams and gaining as much experience as he possibly could. During his program at UBC Blake landed a job at The Score network, an offer he couldn't refuse so he packed up and moved back to the Toronto area. At The Score Blake did a lot of reporting and writing, trying to build his craft. Because of this, his stories and reports start to gain eyes, with the likes of The Athletic and others who come knocking for his work. Blake is now on Sportsnet covering the Blue Jays full-time but still has a huge passion for the game of hoops (Shoutout Raptors Republic). Mitch and Blake talk the future of the Raptors, Canada Basketball, and how he thinks the Olympics will shape out! This a unique episode with a hard-working and classy guy, our listeners will definitely enjoy this one, nothing but the best for Blake and his future endeavours! tap in! Blake Murphy https://blakemurphy.com https://www.instagram.com/eblakemurphy Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

If you follow hoops, especially NCAA then you know the name! Episode 135 was fantastic as Mitch chops it up with former Texas Longhorn and Montverde basketball player, Marcus Carr. A Toronto native Marcus found himself following around his big bro @duanenotice at a super early age. Marcus often notes in this episode the importance of having Duane as an example to him. (Sidenote, Mitch slipped up and forgot to ask who Marcus most important people are, however we know Duane would be one for sure!) As a young, talented baller Marcus felt the right move for him was to transfer to Montverde in Florida so he could pursue a D1 path, but also to compete against the best night in and night out. Playing on a top ranked team with multiple future NBA players was an experience Marcus will never forget, in the end leading him to choose PITT for his freshman year. After a rocky season for the PITT athletic department Marcus felt he needed a change and decided to transfer to Minnesota under the guidance of Richard Pitino where he averaged 19ppg. The NCAA deemed Marcus ineligible due to transfer rules (Which are much different now), so he had to red shirt his first year before playing. It doesn't end there as Marcus decided one more time to transfer and head to the prestigious University of Texas to play of the Longhorns. Marcus ended up being a 5th year senior and had two great seasons at Texas, leading them to the NCAA tournament and averaging 16ppg in his senior year. The former Big 12 and Big 10 All-Team player is now in between pro contracts and looking to continue his career overseas. We loved this episode for a variety of reasons and you will too, make sure you tap in and Thank you Marcus for being with us! Marcus Carr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Carr https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/marcus-carr Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Today's episode is with one of the most decorated Canadian hoopers ever, Ms. Miranda Ayim! The three-time Olympian, Japan Team Canada flag bearer and overseas pro has such a great conversation with Mitch! We go back and talk about Miranda as a young person, what it's like going through a growth spurt at a young age, especially as a female, and lots more. After high school, Miranda went all the way west to Pepperdine University to not only hoop (One of the all-time great women's basketball players in Pepperdine program history, Ayim was a three-time All-WCC first-team selection during her four-year career. Ayim is Pepperdine's eighth-leading scorer with 1,377 points, ranks ninth with 735 career rebounds and is the program leader with 182 career blocks) but for school as well. At Pepperdine, Miranda was even the Division I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete of the Year!! Later in the episode, we take a trip down memory lane discussing Team Canada, the Olympics, playing overseas, the WNBA, NIL and so much more. Miranda has a great energy and spirit about her, she continues to lead and guide many in her profession and will do so for years to come. It was an honour and privilege to chat with Miranda, hear more of her story and have some fun connecting. This episode you won't want to miss, Tap in! Miranda Ayim https://mirandaayim.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mjayim https://olympic.ca/team-canada/miranda-ayim Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 133 with 2024 Canada West All-Rookie, Adam Olsen. It was fun to sit down with the recently drafted Vancouver Bandit to talk further about his high school years and rookie season. Born and raised in South Surrey and being the youngest of three Adam learned to be a competitor and loved the game at an early age. From there and with a big growth spurt the UBC Forward found a group of buddies for life all on the same block, which ended up becoming the Elgin Park High School team. Under the guidance of legends Kirk Homenick (CC: @hardbitechips) and Mike McDonnell, the Orcas made two straight trips to the BC's with deep runs. After a successful Grade 11 year, playing on Team B.C. and seeing the AAU scene, Adam took time going back and forth about where he wanted to go, in the end deciding early in his grade 12 year that the T-Birds were the right place for him. Last season was one of personal growth both physically and mentally with Adam finding himself playing key minutes for a majority of the season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. He reflects on what he has learned, the power of routines and gives really good advice to young players about what's appropriate to send to a post-secondary coach and what's not. After his upcoming off-season with the Bandits under the guidance of Kyle Julius, Adam is excited to get back with UBC and see if they can make it to the Final 8 consistently once again! We know Adam is just getting started and we wish him all the best in his future, more to come! Ep. 133 is live, tap in! To see more of the work Josh has made you can find it on his website https://www.joshkahn.tv/. We thank Josh for being with us! Tap in! Adam Olsen https://www.instagram.com/adam_0lsen https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/adam_olsen Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 132 is a banger as we dive into the life of a gentleman who has found himself behind the scenes in the professional sports world and NBA; Josh Kahn. A New York native Josh has an interesting story about how he has been able to carve out a life of directing and film/content producing. From starting at NYU film school, then interning at NBC Josh slowly built his resume right before the economy crashed in the United States. From there a funny but also inspiring story about going after something you want has Josh landing a position as the senior creative producer for the Chicago Bulls! With the Bulls, Josh had to really find his skill set as his role was a pretty unique one for that time; not many NBA teams were creating content and it wasn't a priority yet. Using his interpersonal skills to connect with players like Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler, Josh has great reflection and insight on what it takes to keep moving forward in the industry. After his time with the Bulls, Josh gets a unique opportunity to work for Uninterrupted led by Maverick Carter and Lebron James, leading to Josh being involved in many major projects. Josh is an award-winning director and holds a unique (not so anymore) hidden talent which has become a fun little adventure for him. A creative, insightful and talented person this episode has some great stories and conversation. To see more of the work Josh has made you can find it on his website https://www.joshkahn.tv/. We thank Josh for being with us! Tap in! Josh Kahn https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1939746/ https://www.instagram.com/joshkahn.tv Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

A local BC Legend joins us on A Hoops Journey today; Mr. Chris Porteous. Chris's basketball life is literally a “journey”, one that is full of ups, downs and so many in-betweens. The 2-time Provincial Champion and former MVP goes back to tell us about his early life, growing up in Whistler and then moving all the way to Montreal. From there Chris finds himself back in Vancouver at the age of 12 and stepping into the historical program at Kitsilano Secondary. Chris took off and built a huge name for himself in the hoops world, filling the bucket and being one of the best players in the Province for a two-year dominant run. Alongside many great teammates Kits was able to be one of the few programs to win back-to-back Championships. The important part of this episode is how Chis reflects on his struggles with school, and how being able to go to post-secondary wasn't as easy for him as it might be for many. In the end, Chris found himself at Cap University College under Paul Eberhardt. Chris dominated the league in his rookie year being the leading scorer and helping guide the Blues to the Nationals. After Cap Chris then has a turn with basketball where he tries to find himself as a person, working hard and trying to figure out what his future might be. Today he is an employee for Safe Schools and coaching with one of the local clubs in Vancouver, knowing he will have and is having an impact on kids means the world to Chris. What an episode, so many takeaways and possibly some things you may have not known about him. Episode 131 is legendary! Tap in! Chris Porteous https://www.raincitybasketball.ca/coaches Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Today we chop it up with a coach whose name has been mentioned many times on AHJ, Ro Russell. Coach Ro has an extensive resume with ties to many people in our game not only in Canada but in all of North America. At an early age, the Jamaican immigrant was taking notes from his entrepreneurial parents and started his vision at the ripe age of 18. Decades ago Coach Ro started taking club teams and programs across America and many say he was the first to do so! Coach has great reflection on the things he's learned along the way, sometimes not always the greatest moments but lessons that have helped him get to where he is today. Yes, the man is still coaching after all this time and he's doing his best to impact the youth and find them places to hoop! Mitch and coach also discuss the current state of AAU in Ontario compared to other Provinces, if the high school game can last and so much more! An episode you need to check out, we thank Coach for being with us! Tap in! Ro Russell https://www.instagram.com/coachrorussell https://twitter.com/CoachRoRussell Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

On Episode 129 of A Hoops Journey, we get a unique opportunity to sit down with the CEO of Canada Basketball Michael Bartlett. Growing up around sports and loving the intricacies that came with it, Michael had a passion for all but baseball is what stood out most! After being in a good job role with MLSE the job at Canada Basketball came open and Michael jumped at the opportunity, feeling like it was exactly what he needed. Since that time (3 years ago come March), Michael and his team have worked tirelessly to build Canada into a hoops nation! Mitch and Michael have great conversation around values, being vulnerable and the importance of being open-minded as a leader. Further to that, they discuss the upcoming Olympics, why Canada basketball fans should fear no more, and so many other great things! A fun episode and a great snapshot of what happens at Canada basketball, this episode is for all the real heads out there! Thank you to Michael for being with us, and we'll see you in Vegas! Michael Bartlett https://www.basketball.ca/news/canada-basketball-president-ceo-michael-bartlett-selected-to-fiba-americas-board https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrobertbartlett/?originalSubdomain=ca Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

With the madness of March just around the corner, it's perfect timing to sit down with a long-time Division 1 basketball coach and 2002 Naismith Coach of the Year; Ben Howland. Born in Oregon but growing up in Santa Barbara, Coach Howland fell in love with the game like many of our former guests; he was invited to check out a neighbourhood youth league and it all went from there! Shout out to the Goleta Boys and Girls Club! Developing and growing his skills as a player, Ben then had his eyes set on Division 1 and he ended up going the Junior College route first, with his final years being played out at Weber State. From there Coach had some great opportunities as an assistant, including being a graduate assistant at Gonzaga and having to guard future HOF PG John Stockton! Ben got his first head coaching gig at the University of Northern Arizona where he turned the program from one of the worst in the whole NCAA to Conference Champions and the schools first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament in 1997-98. (Yes you are correct, our friend and former guest Andrew Mavis was a key part of this tournament run and program turnaround). From Northern Arizona to PITT, then onto UCLA Coach Howland gives great reflection on how he approached each program with a different lens and mindset on who he wanted to recruit and why, finding a way to lead all those programs (including NAU) to a tournament appearance. At UCLA coach worked with numerous future overseas and NBA pros, most notably names like Jrue Holiday, Kevin Love, Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook. He also led the Bruins to three straight Final Fours from 2006-2008. The last chapter finds Ben at Mississippi State where in 2018-19 he took his team to yet another Tournament appearance, their first since 2009 (Sidenote- Only a handful of coaches have led four programs to March Madness appearances, with Coach Howland being one of them). His resume, pedigree and experience speak for themselves, this episode is fantastic and one you really won't want to miss. In the meantime please don't forget to like, share and subscribe, we thank Coach Howland for being with us! Tap in! Ben Howland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Howland https://twitter.com/ben_howland Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 127 is an opportunity to meet and know more about young gun, Villanova commit and National Team member; Jasmine Bascoe. Someone who shows maturity and game beyond her age, Mitch and Jasmine have a great conversation about life and hoops! Early in the episode, Mitch realizes that Jasmine is indeed the daughter of Shane, a former CCAA All-Canadian and Player of the Year! From there the conversation turns to having a family so tied to the game (Mom and older brother included) and what that means for the Bascoe's. Jasmine is another product of being around hoops at a young age, finding herself riding her bike and watching her dad's team practices from day one! From there she was drawn to the sport and everything that came with it, embracing and enjoying the grind to get better and hopefully play Division 1 for her Country. Knowing that Jasmine has her best years ahead of her, she discusses how she was able to become the player she is, why representing her Country means so much to her, having a positive mindset during COVID, being called up an age level for Team Canada and why Villanova felt like home!! Next up are the playoffs for her Kings Christian team and then getting ready for post-secondary! We will be watching, and wish Jasmine all the best in her future career! Tap in! Jasmine Bascoe https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/jasmine-bascoe https://www.instagram.com/jasminebascoe Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 126 has us chopping it up with long-time coach and specifically with our women's national teams; Steve Baur. Steve truly has one of the most unique stories out there with his career starting in an unorthodox way. After spending time finishing his degree and coaching some community ball in his hometown, Steve then has a few opportunities that come across his table, luckily for him he decided to go for it and follow his heart! Steve ends up going all the way to Brandon, Manitoba where he and Mitch first met. Helping take over the women's program in a rebuild, Steve and long-time mentor Les Berry stayed the course recruiting and trying to get the lady Bobcats on the map. From there is where things get wild, moving to coaching the Men's program in Brandon, heading back to his alma mater and so much in between, this episode cannot be missed. Throw in his experience with Canada Basketball to this day, Steve carries one of the best coaching stories in Canada, he offers great reflection and insight, sit back and enjoy this one! Steve Baur https://twitter.com/coachbaur?lang https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-baur-a1396545 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 125 might be one of the most unique stories you've heard to this day! Sean Anthony is a born and raised Vancouverite but his path turned into an interesting one. A young Sean was not exposed to the game early on, and it wasn't until he made the move to St. George's School that he was introduced to the game and why it was so great. From there Sean played Provincial team, and had successful high school years but carries some interesting reflection on why his grade 12 year maybe wasn't as heavy a recruiting list as he would have hoped! Ending up at McGill, where the coach that recruited him had left made for another interesting experience where Sean persevered learning lots about himself and his game! In 2010 Sean was the 6th overall pick and adjusted to the pro game quickly! Fast forward to today, Sean is a long-standing PBA basketball player, with many career and league highlights! We also touch on things like perspective on business and life after hoops! A great story that shows how many paths there are for us and the game, tap in and hear more about Sean! Let's go! Sean Anthony https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Anthony_(basketball) https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Sean-Anthony/Summary/40329 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

From the heart of Edmonton and beyond we have the chance to chop it up with a hooper, an educator, a strong human, and someone who is motivated to make the world a better place; Andrew Parker. A Caribbean native and family man, Andrew immigrated to Canada in 1976 and his family made an impact on the local community. It didn't take long for Andrew to realize he was athletic, however translating that to becoming a hooper was the challenge Andrew was ready for and it took off from there! For those who know, this man is one of the best dunkers in

Are we really 123 episodes in? Damn right we are, and we don't plan on slowing down anytime soon! We have an all-time episode for you today as we chop it up with Syracuse grad and multiple record holder, WNBA draft pick, current professional in Paris and long-time national team member Kayla Alexander! ATHLETE. ARTIST. ADVENTURER. AUTHOR. SPEAKER Considered to be a “vet” with @canadabasketball now, we go back with Kayla to discover her roots and experience as a young person. For those that don't know Kayla comes from an athletic family where competition ran high! Trying to sum up the accomplishments of this star in one write-up would just not do justice. More than just one of Canada's all-time hoopers Kayla has worked hard to be a well-rounded person, with the most important being an example for the young women of our future! There's so many layers to this episode, tap in and take note! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Kayla Alexander https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayla_Alexander https://www.kaylaalexander.net Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Today's episode is a banger for many reasons! We sit down with current Vancouver Bandits guard and former Division 1 star; Duane Notice. Born from Jamaican roots and growing up in Toronto there was no option for Duane other than the game we all love. In his senior season of high school Duane made the decision to go to Prep school in Connecticut, opening up more opportunities and the chance to have Frank Martin visit his home. The Notice family loved what coach had to say and committed to the young South Carolina program hoping all would go well. Needless to say, it did! Duane played many different roles at South Carolina with the pinnacle being a trip to the 2017 Final 4; the first and only time South Carolina has been. The 2010 Jordan Brand Classic International MVP and 2016 SEC defensive player of the year also reflects on battling through injuries, the important role of Kyle Julius and others in his life, being on the West Coast and so much more! Duane is also a huge movie guy, hosting his own podcast @scenesdm, where him and his guy @mervm_22 discuss all things cinema! You will love this episode and hear from a player who's been in the trenches and still in it. We wish Duane the best going forward, that he recovers well and is prepared to help lead the Bandits next year! Tap in! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Duane Notice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duane_Notice https://twitter.com/DuuTakeNotice https://www.instagram.com/duunotice https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/duane-notice Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

This one! It could be the highlight dunks or the half-court shots, but either way, you know the name! A special episode as Mitch was a former teammate of Josh and they grew up playing Provincial team together and battling each other in high school. Josh takes us back and shares a bunch about his young life that many might not know. Always a great athlete Josh talks about why hockey was his first love, how basketball became part of his life and how McNair High was the right school for him! Josh has a great perspective on life and hoops, understanding the importance of a certain coach this podcast is familiar with, getting close to winning a national title (twice), hooping for the Harlem Crowns and all in between! The dolphin park dunk champion now finds himself in Victoria, BC surrounded by a growing family and loved ones. We really appreciate Joshy coming on and sharing more of his story with us, a true BC legend you don't want to miss this one! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Josh Masters https://gobobcats.ca/news/2020/4/19/alumni-spotlight-josh-masters.aspx Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

When do you get the chance to connect with someone who can call themselves a FIBA Basketball gold medal champion? Before this summer one of the best Canadian player/coach stories out there might have been unknown, however now all you need to do is a quick search and find out not only is Gordie an accomplished coach but a player as well. Born and raised in Penticton, BC, we peel back the layers for coach and find out he's a huge hockey fan! Unfortunately, Gordie grew a little too much and ended up at Idaho State Junior College with two goals in mind: playing Division 1 and playing for Team Canada. Gordie can check those both off as he transferred to Idaho for two years and suited up for Team Canada on multiple occasions, including the Olympics. Mitch and Coach discuss the importance of mentorship, why he thinks Ken Shields is the greatest basketball mind Canada has ever seen, his thoughts on adversity and how it shapes us, plus the background of sports psychology and what it's done for him and his teams over the years. We also get Gordie's thoughts on the difference between European systems at the youth age Vs what happens here in Canada. Of course, we had to break down a ton on what happened this summer, his relationship with Dennis Schroder, and why this past German team was so unified and together. This is a must-listen! Best of luck to Coach Herbert and Germany at the Olympics! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Gordie Herbert Canada Basketball: https://www.basketball.ca/coaches/gordie-herbert Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Herbert Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

You most likely know the name if you've been around the game, and if not then tune in and get to know more about the current Director of Basketball Operations for the @cebl; Mr. Joe Raso. A true Canadian and gentleman who represents Hamilton to the fullest, we go back with coach and talk about his upbringing in an immigrant family and how the game we all love was drawn to him. As stated, coach worked tirelessly in his backyard, Hamilton, growing as a coach becoming an assistant at McMaster early on and then going back to the high school game before becoming the head coach at Mac. Fast forward 18 years at Mac, multiple OUA titles, national championship appearances, All-Canadians coached and time with our national team, Joe finds himself in a unique role with the CEBL and is excited about this growing league's future! Add in some personal reflection on his love for the high school game, why sometimes being the best player on your team is important, and having a son who's still involved you have one heck of an episode. An opportunity to learn and hear from a great, tap into Ep 119! #AHoopsJourney Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Joe Raso Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachraso Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Our guy Hammy! We get to sit down with the creative force behind Hopz Productions / Transition Game Inc. and Crunch Time Film Productions, Michael Hamilton. Michael is a guy from northern Alberta who made his way to the Lower Mainland and has had an impact on our local hoop scene for decades. An accomplished filmmaker, Mitch and Michael go back in time to discuss his love for the game, competing in a small community plus the move to Edmonton for some College Hoops. Eventually, Michael found himself in the Vancouver area and has been thriving ever since! Michael has joined an award-winning team to direct a highly anticipated film project on the iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. called I Am MLK Jr. Prior to that, he directed a doc series called Facing Schwarzenegger, about Arnold Schwarzenegger. In conjunction with Entertainment One Michael produced and directed the amazing story of Nash, a theatrical documentary, TV, and digital special on NBA All-Star Steve Nash. Additionally, he has produced and directed branded content for Peter Guber's Mandalay Sports Media, Vice, while developing projects for Lebron James distribution company Uninterrupted, and Steve Nash's production company Meathawk. Mitch and Hammy have a storied pass which provides lots of laughs and moments down memory lane! Truly thank him for being with us and know you will enjoy episode 118! Tap in! #AHoopsJourney Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Michael Hamilton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hamilton-49055b3b Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 117 takes us all the way to New York with the 11th-ranked player in the United States, a Michigan basketball commit, and one of the best up-and-coming Canadian players we have in our country; Syla Swords! Syla is getting ready for her senior season with @luhigirlsbasketball as her squad is the pre-season #1 team in the entire United States! Syla is beyond her years in maturity and understanding who she is, she has lofty goals, a desire to improve and a unique family dynamic to lean on in hard times. Mitch and Syla discuss the tough decision to leave Ontario and move to the States, why Michigan was the place for her, her crazy double Bronze medal in July, and what her long-term goals are with Team Canada! We thank Syla for being with us and wish her all the best this season! Any young hooper out there needs to check this episode out, you will hear and learn what it takes to be a next-level player! Tap in! #AHoopsJourney Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Syla Swords https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/syla-swords https://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/254720 Alex Adams https://twitter.com/AlexAdamsBTP https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2023/08/25/canada-rout-france-win-2023-fiba-wc-opener/ Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Special Episode! Rest in Peace to Greg Francis who passed away on April 2nd, 2023. Greg was an integral part of the 2000 team and a great person and teammate From 2000 to now! Well, WE DID IT! @canadabasketball has qualified on the men's side for the first time since the 2000 Olympics in Australia! As a show we thought it would be fun to revisit those memories with a few of the ones that did it- Jay Triano, Andrew Mavis, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch, Shawn Swords, Jonny Lee and Peter Guarasci! The fellas go back in time and think about their own experience combined with the emotions they felt when realizing Canada had made the Olympics for 2024! Some great insight, thoughts and Canadian pride in this episode plus a guest appearance from a young up-and-coming journalist and hoop head Alex Adams! Alex was on the sidelines in Jakarta reporting on the FIBAWC games and bringing great insight through his podcasts with Raptors Republic. It goes without saying that if you love basketball in our Country you need to check this one out! Congratulations to every single player, coach, manager, staff, media, parent, etc who had some part in this journey! 23 years gone in a flash and there's only more to come! Episode 116 is live!!!!! #AHoopsJourney Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Jay Triano, Andrew Mavis, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch, Shawn Swords, Jonny Lee and Peter Guarasci Alex Adams https://twitter.com/AlexAdamsBTP https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2023/08/25/canada-rout-france-win-2023-fiba-wc-opener/ Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Our latest episode was a unique one in terms of talking with a player from BC who hardly played in BC in his younger years. Across the span of this show, there are some original experiences and takeaways for our listeners as James reflects on an early leap to basketball in the United States. After returning from the AAU / Prep system James talks about his next moves as well as the why and how he ended up committing to Division 1 Lehigh University, then transferring to Boston College in the middle of Covid. James has some great thoughts on the system here in BC, why kids need mentorship and guidance, and how he's trying to do his best to impact the youth in BC and Canada. As he currently recovers from a knee injury he is anticipating getting back on the court and playing pro overseas to continue what is sure to be a successful career. Whether it's pro ball or representing the Czech National team you can guarantee hard work and desire on the court, much like this episode! We wish James all the best and know you need to check this one out! #AHoopsJourney Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Podcast Guest: James Karnik https://www.instagram.com/jameskarnik https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/james-karnik https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/james-karnik/13963 Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 114 has us sitting down with the Wesmen legend himself; Dave Crook. Coach Crook (And current Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg) has been around the game a long time and worked to develop many programs across Canada. Dave's career starts early with a young Michael Grange (Episode 111), all the way to Lethbridge under unique circumstances. Dave was not only a U Sport coach, he worked with Canada Basketball from 1996-2005 all while creating some great memories and stories that he shared with us. When Dave talks you can hear what those National team years meant to him, the photo in this profile is connected to a story he tells on the episode! Between enjoy lake life in the summer and getting the Wesmen athletic programs ready, Dave reflects on his life and what's left for him in his future. We really thank Dave for being with us, if you have come across this man you most likely left with a smile. Episode 114 is a great one, enjoy! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Podcast Guest: Dave Crook https://wesmen.ca/staff-directory/dave-crook/56 https://usports.ca/en/news/2018/04/363943933/getting-to-know-dave-crook-winnipeg https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/foundation/donor-recognition/why-i-give/2021/12/why-i-give-dave-crook.html Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

Episode 113!! We hope you are all soaking up the last days of summer! This is one for the ages. Jamie is a young man who has worked hard and now finds himself as an assistant with TCU men's basketball. Jamie's story goes back to growing up in Toronto and playing lots of hoops, however not realizing what it took to go play Division 1 made for an interesting path. A wild story about Hurricane Katrina, playing for and working with Buzz Williams, mentoring Jimmy Butler and our former guest Junior Cadougan- this episode really has it all!! This is one you might have to play twice, it was a pleasure to chat with Jamie and hear his story. As he says at the end of the episode we need to keep sharing and letting people know the path that was built so we thank him for being with us! Episode 113 is a must! Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Podcast Guest: Jamie McNeilly https://gofrogs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jamie-mcneilly/1018 https://www.basketball.ca/coaches/jamie-mcneilly https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mcneilly-2426609a/ https://twitter.com/CoachMcNeilly Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/

For Ep 112 we sit down with the current @nba Basketball Operations Manager for Europe and the Middle East, Emmy Unaegbu. From Vancouver to Port Coquitlam, to SFU and beyond Emmy unpacks his life and journey on how he made it to his current destination; Abu Dhabi. Emmy's story is a great one, a hard-working and consistent basketball player who excelled at many levels and has used those skills to translate to his work and personal life, this episode has lots of “minor details” you might want to hear. Plenty of great takeaways, reflection on showing up even when you aren't invited, and how the power of LinkedIn found him a career……it was great to catch up with Emmy and go back in time! Appreciate you family. Ep 112 is live! #AHoopsJourney #Canada #CanadaBasketball #JRnba #Basketball Reach out to us at ahoopsjourney@gmail.com Podcast Guest: Emmy Unaegbu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emunaegbu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-c-unaegbu Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ Sponsors: PGC Basketball https://pgcbasketball.com/ Parkside Brewery https://www.theparksidebrewery.com/ ATO Basketball Merchants https://www.atobball.com/