The Honey Drop

Get to know the fourth head coach in Honey Badgers franchise history, Sheldon Cassimy. Learn about his roots playing streetball with his uncles in Toronto, the coaching seeds being planted in him as a teenager, his experience training future NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett and Andrew Nembhard, and how he learned to become a teacher of professional ballers.  Don't be fooled by the mild-mannered exterior. As he puts it, Cassimy has a little Kevin Garnett in him! 

As the CEBL turns six years old, we go on its founder's journey. A Hamilton kid, Morreale realized his childhood dream of playing for his home town Tiger-Cats. We talk about how Steeltown shaped Mike's style of play, the lifelong relationships from football that helped Mike reinvent himself after his self-described "forced retirement," and the most terrifying aspects of starting a new league.  PLUS: I throw out a potential new rule for the CEBL to adopt! 

Montreal's Bill Wennington joins Andrew Damelin for a heavy dose of nostalgia. From Ed Pinckney viciously dunking on him in high school, to a Jokic-like pass by Chris Mullen in college, to, yes, Michael Jordan and the Bulls, the anecdotes will rivet you. The former Chicago Bulls centre, current Bulls radio analyst, and new CEBL analyst also reveals his secret to winning, what it means to think the game, and his definition of a great broadcast.

Honey Badgers forward Zane Waterman joins host Andrew Damelin to discuss the perennial uncertainty of being a professional basketball player. Hear how close Zane was to taking a coaching job this past year, and the not-so-ideal playing conditions he chose in favour of it. Zane also re-lives the "crazy calls" and the euphoria in the Honey Badgers' dramatic championship game of 2022. Once "The Villain of the CEBL,"  Zane has grown into the team's connector as they look to defend their title. 

Honey Badgers forward Ashley Hamilton joins Andrew Damelin to recount his unique journey from London, England to Brampton, Ontario.  Find out why Ashley turned down a lucrative professional contract in favour of attending college. Then travel down a decade-long career that's taken Ashley from Spain to Ukraine to Lebanon and everywhere in between. Learn why every aspect of Ashley's professional career, good and bad, has been a blessing. This pod features about 19 pearls of wisdom. Please listen mindfully. 

Honey Badgers power forward Jeremiah Tilmon joins Andrew Damelin to re-live an eventful past year. Jeremiah takes us to Vegas for his bite at the NBA in Summer League, to Ottawa for a *very* stressful but triumphant Championship Weekend, to Romania for the hard lessons learned in an all-too brief trip overseas, and back to Southern Ontario to recap his time with the Raptors G League affiliate, Raptors905. We also take stock of what's been up and down season in Brampton, and Jeremiah tells us why he knows the Honey Badgers are still a contender. 

Honey Badgers swingman Nick Wiggins first felt the "juice" of basketball when he lit up a Toronto high school gym in his debut in Grade 9. Nick's natural talent led him to Tallahassee, Florida, where a legendary, hardnosed coach helped lay the foundation for Nick's collegiate career.  Travel the Road to the Final Four for Nick's Wichita State Shockers in 2013. And, after graduating college, go on a global tour from Tubingen, Germany, to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Baghdad, Iraq and everywhere in between for Nick's nine-plus seasons as a pro. Find out how Nick coped with the pressures of being an import player, and the loneliness of being in a new country, with a new team, year after year. Finally we touch on Nick's immense pride for his younger brother Andrew, who won the NBA championship with Golden State last season.  

The Honey Drop is BACK for Season Three! Host Andrew Damelin is joined by the Honey Badgers' new Head Coach, Antoine Broxsie. Learn about Broxsie's journey from Tampa, Florida, to his pro career which took him to eight countries, all the way to the coaching world, which has led him to the player development side with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hear about Coach Broxsie's give and take relationship with Cavs big-man Jarrett Allan, and the empathy that's required to gain a $100 million dollar man's trust. 

Coach of the Year and CEBL champion Ryan Schmidt joins the Honey Drop to reflect on one of the most emotional weekends of his life! Hear the incredible story of Ryan's wife going into labour the morning of the CEBL semi-finals, and hours later, giving birth to their first child SEVEN WEEKS early. After that Ryan takes us through the near-collapse in the final, as we measure Coach Schmidt's stress level using the "s****ing your pants" metre. 

As a teenager, Nikola Djogo almost quit basketball after a trying experience with his AAU coach. Learn about why he stuck with the game despite that coach sometimes going "overboard" (Nikola's word). Once Djogo reached Notre Dame, he faced another obstacle - a lesser role than he envisioned. Hear about Nikola's resilience at South Bend, and the lucky break he caught that allowed him to transfer to Northeastern. And hear the highly rare circumstance of how Djogo joined the Honey Badgers, and how Djogo's pride nearly prevented him from playing for his hometown team. 

For some reason Honey Badgers forward Zane Waterman often draws the ire of opposing players and fans. Learn why Zane enjoys the "I Hate Christian Laettner" energy, and how he turns it into an advantage on the court. From Lapua, Finland to Buenos Aires, Argentina, basketball has taken Zane all over the world. While the scenery may be nice, the loneliness from being away from his fiancé, to living through a pandemic, has taken its toll. But learn why the game itself has been the best way to fill that void.

On this week's episode Honey Badgers guard Koby McEwen goes deep on his basketball journey. The Toronto-native turned pro this summer, but he's essentially been a professional since moving to a basketball academy in rural Utah at 15 years old.  Learn about the inspiration Koby took from his high school coach Geno Morgan, who died suddenly in the summer after Koby's senior season. Travel to Koby's three colleges to discover the tough lessons learned at each stop. In early 2021, Koby nearly quit basketball altogether. Find out why he stuck it out, and find out why, to Koby, being vulnerable is a strength.    

By his own admission, Christian Vital is a work in progress. The former UCONN standout is still navigating the emotion that gives him an edge on court with the lessons of patience he learned as a kid playing chess. Learn about when winning and losing started to mean more to Christian than his peers, how slights - real or perceived - motivate him, and how his high school and college coaches helped mold him into the player he is today. Music by the Kount.  

Honey Badgers swingman and proud Rexdale native Michael Okafor joins the pod to discuss the mentors that left an indelible mark on his basketball career. From his mother, to his middle school coach, to his club coach in high school, Okafor is grateful for the trust each put in him to achieve his goals. Michael has been a talker on the court his whole life, and that translates to this interview!Music by the Kount.

Honey Badgers forward Jeremiah Tilmon joins host Andrew Damelin to discuss his winding journey to Hamilton. Jeremiah is proud to hail from East St. Louis, Illinois, and he's equally proud that he "got out" of his home city.  Learn about Tilmon's early wrestling career, how it took years as a middle-schooler to become a decent basketball player, and, despite the dangerous environment in East St. Louis, why he had to finish his high school career in his home town. After high school, hear why Jeremiah took up meditation at Missouri, which he continues to this day. And learn about Jeremiah's preference for coaches that scare him. Music by the Kount

Host Andrew Damelin is joined by Nigerian-born, Burlington-raised Caleb Agada. We go on Caleb's homegrown basketball journey, from his self-described days as a "trash" player when he started high school, to becoming the leading scorer in one of Europe's  best leagues, to helping his native Team Nigeria topple Team USA in Olympic competition, and everywhere in between. Caleb loves to reminisce, so we dive deep into some of his best games at the University of Ottawa and overseas. Caleb also discusses the importance of returning to Nigeria as an adult after a 10-year gap.  To help give back to the Burlington community Caleb is running a number of basketball clinics this summer.  Go to agadaball.com or hit Caleb up on Instagram @calebagada for more information. 

Honey Badgers Head Coach Ryan Schmidt joins host Andrew Damelin for the Season Premier of the Honey Drop. Ryan talks about how his perception of what makes a strong pro head coach has evolved entering his third season in Hamilton. Ryan also relives the moment former Honey Badger Lindell Wigginton announced he was signing a two-way NBA contract, and reflects on the life of another former Honey Badger, Kenny Ejim, who tragically passed away in March. 

Hamilton Honey Badgers GM Jermaine Anderson and Ottawa Blackjacks GM Jevohn Shepherd are connected by over 20 years of basketball history. Listen for the chirps and deep affection these two have for each other. Highlights of our wide-ranging conversation:-Jevohn unable to acknowledge that Jermaine's high school, Eastern Commerce, is the standard for Toronto basketball-Jermaine picking up Jevohn at his home every day to prepare for Jevohn's international career-hilarious stories from the "lean years" of Canada Basketball-Jermaine and Jevohn teaming up at Crown League to beat a team led by Pascal Siakam. -the uneasy feeling Jermaine had heading into Hamilton's playoff game against Ottawa, who was missing seven players due to health and safety protocols

Nino Johnson takes us on a trip to the Home of the Blues: Memphis, Tennessee.  Here, Nino internalized the values of loyalty, and never letting the opponent see you sweat.  Travel to Finland, Japan, Israel, the Philippines and Iceland to learn about the hostile environments in which Nino thrived. Then fly back to his home town for a meaningful stint in the G League with the Memphis Hustle. Finally head north to the Hammer to hear how Nino has become a "foxhole guy" for the Honey Badgers. Head Coach Ryan Schmidt calls Johnson a genuine, kind soul. This podcast is certainly proof of that notion.

Honey Badgers forward JV Mukama takes us on a journey from Canada, to his family's native Rwanda, back to Canada, BACK to Rwanda, and BACK to Canada! Despite a highly unusual path, Mukama always knew he was going to be a professional basketball player. The humble Hamiltonian praises his mentors, or "elders", as he describes them, with a deep level of respect and gratitude. From his high school teacher who helped him complete his English courses, to his head coach Roy Rana at Ryerson, to Honey Badgers Head Coach Ryan Schmidt, Mukama has internalized every lesson and applied them to his game. Make sure you listen to the end to learn about Mukama's emotional and triumphant homecoming to Rwanda, where he helped his team qualify for the African Basketball League. 

Remember when Zoom wasn't a thing? Well this week Andrew went to practice to conduct conversations IN PERSON! We asked three Honey Badgers, Kalif Young, Cody John and Alex Johnson, to give their most common NBA player comps, and to compare and contrast the styles of their previous college and pro coaches to Ryan Schmidt. Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen. 

Kenny Ejim treats basketball as a matter of survival. Re-live Kenny's journey to pro ball, which almost saw him quit the game in college. Find out how Kenny finds joy and motivation even while playing in empty gyms in remote parts of Spain, learn about the moment Kenny realized the importance of validation and positivity from his coaches, and experience Kenny's joy of playing in front of his brother for the first time in over a year.  Plus Kenny explains how you can take a heat-check when you haven't made a shot. Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen. 

Keevan Veinot is the "Nova Scotian GOAT," that's according to fellow Honey Badger and Dartmouth-native Lindell Wigginton.  We discuss the ridiculous amount of winning Keevan and the entire Veinot family have accomplished,  along with the two biggest "kees" to Keevan's MVP-caliber season at Dalhousie. Finally we dive into the detail that Coach Schmidt and his staff have put Keevan through, the confidence-boost he got from his first professional start, and the practice battles between Keevan, Lindell and Trevon Duval. Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen.

Honey Badgers guard Trevon Duval takes us to New Castle, Delaware: a time when basketball was only about... basketball. We explore the benefits of being coached by your dad, the friendships Duval forged during his rapid ascension through high school and Duke, and the thrill of making his NBA debut. Make sure to stick around 'til the end, where Duval  describes his special bond with Head Coach Ryan Schmidt, and how the 22-year old has learned to be patient as he makes his way back to the NBA. Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen.

Honey Badgers star and proud Nova Scotian Lindell Wigginton joins to discuss his brilliant but unfinished basketball journey.  Lindell takes us on a tour of basketball nostalgia: from the pickup scene in Halifax as a kid, to his battles against Trae Young in college, to lighting up the NBA team that cut him in the G League bubble.  Plus Lindell takes us through the emotional arc of dunking on someone. Lindell oozes loyalty, humility and gratitude for his huge basketball family, which has fuelled his desire to pay it forward to the youth of Nova Scotia. So get ready for another empathetic edition of The Honey Drop!Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen

Honey Badgers Head Coach Ryan Schmidt joins for the premiere edition of The Honey Drop. We dive into Schmidt's empathetic approach to coaching, from connecting with kids at a Youth Academy in Oregon, to the lifelong bonds he's built with professionals like Tyler Ennis and Alize Johnson. We also re-live the nerves of Schmidt's first speech as an assistant with the Raptors 905, and examine the nuances of managing a player's confidence while staying within the team concept.  Plus we find out what Schmidt has in common with Atlanta Hawks playoff hero Kevin Huerter. About the showThe Honey Drop is your all access pass to the Hamilton Honey Badgers of the CEBL. Host Andrew Damelin talks to the players, coaches and executives about their unique journeys to pro ball in the Hammer. Music by the Kount, Jacob Damelin and Wesley Allen

Welcome to the Honey Drop, your all access pass to the Hamilton Honey Badgers of the CEBL. Every week we'll be talking to a player, coach or front office member, where we'll dive deep into everyone's unique basketball journey that led them to the Hammer. So download, subscribe and stream the Honey Drop for all your Honey Badgers needs.