One on One with Kevin Fitzgerald

Former eight-year NBA pro Ronnie Brewer was as candid as one could be on the latest episode of One on One, sharing enlightening stories about not only his ascension from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to the NBA but also how he sustained a lengthy career. Brewer was part of the fabric of several winning teams during his time with the Jazz and the Bulls early in his career. He details how he earned the reputation as a feared defender, lessons he learned from Jerry Sloan and Tom Thibodeau and his greatest sacrifices. Plus, the latest addition to the University of Arkansas coaching staff explains what led him back to his alma mater. Host - Kevin Fitzgerald Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jared Law 

Bruce Pearl has spent the better part of the last 10 years revitalizing and reinvigorating the Auburn men's basketball program. The Tigers - once known as an afterthought in the SEC in the decade leading up to Pearl's hiring in 2014 - have since become a national force, posting three straight 25-win seasons from 2017-20 (a program first) and reaching the program's one and only Final Four (2019). The Boston native details what's directly lead to the success, the ebbs and flows of his winding career and how he's always identified as an underdog. Plus, Pearl weighs in on college basketball's amended transfer rule, endorsement deals for college athletes and so much more. Hosts - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Keith Raad  Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jared Law 

Jerry Stackhouse was known as a fierce competitor and playmaker during his highlight-filled, nearly two-decade NBA career. The Kinston, North Carolina, native ascended from high school star at Oak Hill Academy, to All-American at UNC, to All-Star in the NBA. Now, Stackhouse approaches his coaching career with the same determination and vigor seen during his playing days. The Vanderbilt head coach joined Kevin to discuss his first two seasons in Nashville, how his career unfolded, memories from his time in Detroit and Dallas, plus so much more. Hosts - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Chris Williamson Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jared Law 

Just seven years ago, Nate Oats was the head men's basketball coach at Romulus High in Detroit. Today, he's entering his second season as the head man at Alabama. His ascension through the coaching ranks is an inspiring one, and the 46-year-old details the sacrifices, strategies and connections he made along the way to rise from Romulus to the University of Buffalo (where he led the Bulls to a school-record 32 wins in 2019 and two NCAA tournament victories) and now to Tuscaloosa. Not only that, he shares his devotion to skill development, modeling the NBA style of play, the language of advanced statistics and what FaceTime calls with Tom Thibodeau and William "World Wide Wes" Wesley are like. **YouTube Link to Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZN3sKIoFM&t Episode highlights: 4:30 - how Oats prepared his team and maintained focus and team chemistry leading up to this season under immense and stringent pandemic protocols 6:25 - Nate Oats-coached teams play at the same pace and style of NBA teams? 15:05 - which NBA coaches does Nate chop it up with about advanced stats & analytics? 20:05 - how his uptempo, open-floor, NBA-style offensive philosophy was born and developed 23:45 - "We gotta go find guys that understand what it takes to win, that are willing to put their body on the line to win games" 28:20 - FaceTime calls with "World Wide Wes," Tom Thibodeau (former NBA Coach of year) and Kira Lewis 30:40 - The sacrifices and work he put in to ascend from high school coach in Detroit to head coach of a power-conference program in just seven years 34:55 - "Put in all the work in the dark...so [his players] have all the confidence in the world when it's time" Hosts - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Roger Hoover Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jared Law

Shelden Williams became one of the cornerstones of Duke basketball during his time in Durham from 2002-06. While there, he guided the Blue Devils to a Final Four, three ACC tournament titles (not to mention two regular season titles, to boot), 116 total wins and a staggering 20 weeks as the nation's number-one ranked team. The Duke Hall of Famer joins Kevin Fitzgerald to reflect on his time as a Blue Devil, his NBA career and his transition to coaching. Williams is currently an assistant coach for the College Park Skyhawks, the G-League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks. Host - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Emma Tiedemann Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jared Law

Hey, two ESPN broadcasters are better than one! Basketball analyst and former Duke assistant coach Chris Spatola joins Kevin this week for a special episode. The two speak with proven winner and leader Kevin Keatts, who will soon begin his fourth season as head men's basketball coach at NC State.Keatts's journey is an exhilarating one. The Virginia native ascended - over the course of just a decade - from head coach at Hargrave Military Academy to head coach in the preeminent basketball conference in America. And did so with an uncompromised work ethic and an authentic appreciation for every stop along the journey. Take a look at the topics covered:12:50 - what prepared Kevin for everything that comes with an ACC head coaching job 15:10 - when and where was Kevin's competitive spirit born 17:20 - the definition of a winner 20:40 - how Rick Pitino challenged Kevin to grow 23:52 - where was the style of play Kevin's teams are known for developed 27:50 - John Thompson's impact on basketball and Kevin 34:17 - why NC State? 37:04 - three most influential people in Kevin's life 40:11 - 10 miles a day?! 42:43 - LeBron, the GOAT? 44:02 - was Keatts actually beaten in a game of ping pong? Hosts - Kevin Fitzgerald & Chris Spatola Voiceover - Sam Levitt Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jeremy Schrank Seinfeld Clips Curtesy of YouTube:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwE7xDZkPk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SclV-UWM4Gw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Xtsi7Jcec

Mason Jones didn't make the varsity team his junior year of high school. Fast forward five years and you'll now find the 2020 SEC Player of the Year (AP) on the verge of beginning his NBA career. The former Arkansas Razorback star joins One on One to share the inspiring story behind his journey from obscurity to stardom. Jones explains how his passion for basketball, an ultra-dedicated approach to improving and a significant support system of coaches and trainers guided him from his hometown of Dallas to a junior college in Oklahoma to the college basketball (and soon to be professional) big stage. Plus, Jones discusses what specifically he emulates from stars like the late Kobe Bryant and James Harden, how growing up in a basketball family molded him and, yes, the best movie he's watched during "quarantine."Host - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Andrew Kanell Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jeremy Schrank Highlight Clips Courtesy of YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18B4gb3h2cY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jqJBwFefvs

Buzz Williams has made an impact at every stop along his coaching journey: the Texan led Marquette to the program's lone Big East Championship in 2013, Virginia Tech to a school-record 26 wins in 2019 and three straight NCAA tournaments and now attempts to do the same at Texas A&M. The reigning AP SEC Coach of the Year already has his program headed in the right direction after leading the Aggies to 10 league wins - a marked improvement from the year before - during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. But he makes an impact on his player's lives and the communities he's lived in beyond just the basketball court. On this week's episode of One on One, Williams shares how Texas A&M is, in his words, a "total development program," explains how he's guided and equipped his players during an unprecedented summer and even reminisces about his prior coaching stops. Plus, what's his matrix for success as a basketball coach and leader? Take a listen. Host - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Shawn Murnin Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jeremy Schrank

Cuonzo Martin has shown time after time what a proven and inspiring leader he is. The Missouri head men's basketball coach joins Kevin Fitzgerald this week and shares how he leads on and off the court and, more importantly, how he sets his players up for success beyond basketball. Plus, Martin reminisces about his playing days at Purdue, college basketball Hall of Famer Gene Keady and what his hometown of East St. Louis means to him.Host - Kevin Fitzgerald Voiceover - Craig Hoffman Music - "Jazzaddicts," by Cosimo Fogg Artwork - Jeremy Schrank

University of South Carolina head mens basketball coach Frank Martin joins to discuss his coaching philosophies and reflect back on his career. He shares what it's like to have some of his players back on campus for summer workouts, being named the chair of the NABC's Committee on Racial Reconciliation, who the most influential people in his life are and his "All-Dude" team. Host - Kevin FitzgeraldPodcast Artwork - Jeremy SchrankMusic - "Crimson Fly" by Huma Huma