The “Before The Game” podcast is here to allow athletes, coaches, community leaders and others to tell their unique stories in their own words! Inspiration can come from many places, and the stories of each guest will inspire and motivate. Created by Jonathan Zanders-Nelson. Sponsored by Uncle Drew Productions.
On this episode of the podcast, I sit down with IMG Academy Assistant Head of House, Joshua Best! Josh gives us an inside look at his upbringing in Baltimore, playing sports and getting to college, and how he helps people now with getting their mental health in check! Tap in and listen to the gems in this episode!*We did have some technical difficulties recording this episode, but we wanted to share Josh's story with you anyway. We hope you still find the podcast enjoyable and uplifting!*
On this episode, I answered questions posed to me by YOU the listeners! Do I think LeBron is the GOAT? Can John Calipari and Kentucky turn it around? Tune in to find the answers to these and more questions!
On the first episode of 2023, I sit down with the CEO of J. Douse Photography and the multi-talented, Jerrod Douse. Jerrod talks about his childhood, going to an HBCU, striving out on his own at an early age, and what keeps him going through his many different careers. Tune in!
On this episode, we sit down with well respected Principal Michael Sneed Jr.! We discuss his challenging upbringing, how he had to step up to the plate to handle his responsibilities, his various career interests, and how to create a winning culture for athletics via the administration office! Principal Sneed gives us a unique perspective of working with student-athletes that we've never gotten before!
On this episode, Anthony Williams and myself discuss the first week of the NBA season; culminating in the 0-3 start for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. We discuss if Russell Westbrook is the right fit for the Lakers and the expectations for the rival Clippers. We also break down Week 7 in the NFL and if Tom Brady and the Bucs can right the ship!
On this episode of the podcast, I sit down with IMG Student Athlete mentor and former college basketball player, Anthony Williams! During our conversation, we talk about Anthony's upbringing in Alabama, constantly moving around as a child, his love and passion for the game and his new found position! Anthony also inspires us with his story of battling through depression. You don't want to miss this episode!
Today on the podcast we finish our conversation with professional basketball player, Dayon Griffin! Dayon touches on how he views his high school career, competing against Zion Williamson and Duke, and what helps keep him grounded through all the obstacles he faces!
This week on the podcast, we sit down with St. Petersburg High (St. Petersburg, FL) alumni, University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) alumni, and professional basketball player, Dayon Griffin! Dayon walks us through memory lane, discussing his high school playing years, overcoming adversity when getting overlooked by colleges, and accepting his leadership role! This is just part ONE of a TWO part episode!
On this special episode of the podcast, we sit down with Keiser University (West Palm Beach, FL) Assistant Basketball Coach, Max Spinner! Coach Spinner details his humble basketball beginnings, overcoming adversity in the coaching realm, and what makes a high school athlete a great college recruit! Coach Spinner drops a lot of knowledge on this episode! Don't want to miss it!
On the latest episode of the podcast, we sit down with Davidson College Wide Receiver and Calvary Christian (Clearwater, FL) alumni, Kellyn West! Kellyn discusses his high school career, overcoming many different injuries, and how even with all his setbacks, he is still where he is today! An inspiring message that you don't want to miss!
On the newest episode of the podcast, we sit down with St. Petersburg High alumni (St. Pete, FL) and University of Tampa volleyball player Jenna Davis! Jenna talks about her slow start to playing volleyball, winning FOUR district championships, her insane work ethic and drive to win, and how she feels about how far she has come! You don't want to miss this episode!
To open the new season of the podcast, I sit down with Admiral Farragut senior guard and Masters University commit, Kamrin Oriol! Kamrin talks about his upbringing, his mindset and character when it comes to life, and what kept him going even when hard times hit. For a soft spoken individual, we get a inside glimpse of Kamrin we've never seen before!
On this episode, I sit down with Admiral Farragut alumni & Missouri Southern State guard Winston Dessesow! Winston and I discuss his early playing years, his transition on moving from Maryland to Florida, and improving his confidence that translated to his game! Don’t miss out on this episode!
On this special edition of the podcast I sit down with Super Bowl Champion, University of Richmond alum and St. Pete High alum, David Jones! David and I discuss his early childhood years, being overlooked coming out of high school, his experience and Richmond, and being apart of the Patriots Super Bowl team! You don’t want to miss this episode!
On the Season 2 debut episode, I sit down with St. Petersburg High School alum and Eckerd College guard Deon Earley. Deon and I discuss his final season at St. Pete, his hopes and expectations as he embarks on his collegiate career, and the progress he’s made on his journey to get to this point.
On the newest episode of the podcast, I sit down with Lakewood alumni & Clearwater Academy guard, Jermaine Phillips! Jermaine & I discuss his early years at Northeast, his state championship run with Lakewood, and the mentality he’s grown to have while playing the game of basketball! Tune in!!!
On this episode of the podcast, I sit down with St. Petersburg High School (St. Petersburg, FL) alumni and current James Madison Guard, Darius Banks! Banks and I talk about his growth from freshman to senior in high school, what he had to do to prepare himself for college, and reflecting on a historic high school career that left him #2 all-time at St. Pete in scoring!
On the 10th episode of the podcast, I sit down with St. Petersburg High alum (St. Petersburg, FL) and Scotland Guard Terrell Strickland! Terrell & I discuss his early years playing JV, playing with his brother on varsity, adversity he’s overcome, and being the son of NBA great Rod Strickland! You don’t wanna miss this!
On this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Gibbs High alum & University of Charleston alum Shaq Speights! We discuss his playing career in high school & college, how he began training, his debut coaching experience over the summer, and how it feels to now coach with his high school coach who he once played for! Tune in for a great listen!
On the first episode of the podcast in 2020, I sit down with Gibbs Senior Guard Bryce Brown! Bryce and I discuss his early years at Lakewood, how he transitioned to embrace his leadership role at Gibbs, what he learned from his older brother, Barry Brown Jr. and much more!
On this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Lakewood High alum and current Texas A&M Corpus Christi Guard, Jalen White! We discuss Jalen’s high school years, his breakout senior season, the evolution of his leadership style, how it felt to be coached by his dad, and much much more!
On the sixth episode of the podcast, I sit down with East Lake High School (Tarpon Springs, FL) Varsity Boys Head Coach, Britt Taylor! Coach Taylor and I talk about his high school experience in Chicago, his coaching philosophy, his expectations of his players, and much more! You don’t want to miss this!
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