The Love of the Game

Keesa K. Founder and Creator of HoopQueens. A non-profit corporation that serves as a network for Canadian female basketball players to connect with other likeminded and passionate athletes! Keesa is an inspiration to all aspiring female entrepreneurs. 

Michele O'Keefe. Former CEO and President of Canada basketball. She is now the Athletic Director at Niagara College. Her authenticity, hard work, tenacity and uniqueness has allowed her to be successful! She has been able to accomplish so much within the game of basketball, not only on the court but off the court for women all over the world. 

Willy Manigat. Head Coach of Brock University Men's Basketball Program. He holds himself to a high standard and understands how much time and dedication it takes to get better at his craft. Leaving his friends and family behind to pursue his head coaching career. There is so much potential in Niagara to continue to develop and produce some great basketball players and Willy believes in that. 

Victor Raso. Head Coach and General Manager of the Niagara River Lions. 2019 CEBL Coach of the Year. 29 year-old Raso played completed his year few years of eligibility at the University of Carleton. He then transitioned from a player to coaching at the professional level and has been very successful. IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

Jamil Abiad. Global trainer and basketball coach. His work ethic is outstanding. A mentor to all aspiring coaches and trainers. He has build his programs from the ground up, giving all basketball players the opportunity to fulfill their dreams by making it to the next level. Success is an understatement and still so many goals to be accomplished. There is always room for growth and more opportunities for him and these programs to achieve great things. 

Marlo Davis. 2019-2020 OSBA Coach of the Year. Along side of being a head coach for a very successful program in Toronto, Marlo also teaches at Crestwood Preparatory High School. His passion for basketball goes beyond the game. His willingness to help others succeed not only within the game of basketball but in life is incredible. Marlo as a coach and the program he has developed is successful for a reason. 

Matt Marshall. His hustle, determination, leadership, tenacity and his level to compete is unmatched. He strives to be the hardest working player in the gym, while understanding the importance of differentiated yourself from the rest. The game of basketball has been one of his greatest gifts that he has been able to appreciate. Looking back on his career and everything he has experienced, he looks back with no regrets. He never gave up on himself! Matt was always ready to work hard and improve his game on and beyond the court. 

Filip Vujadinovic. Ryerson University alumni and first player in Ryerson's history to win 5 national medals. One of the most decorative athletes to have played for the Rams. Following his University career, Fil was the first overall draft pick in the U-Sports round of the CEBL entry draft. He continued to take his talents to a higher level and lets just say, he had a very unique professional career overseas. Despite his overall experience in Spain, Fil as able to find a new love and is now working towards a very successful career. 

Marcus Anderson. 5 championship-filled career at Carleton University. Marcus is one of the top defenders in the country! He was named U SPORTS and OUA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017/18 and 2018/19. Marcus just finished his first professional season with the Guelph Nighthawks, playing in the CEBL Summer Series. His style of play is outstanding! He is always playing with a chip on his should, looking to outwork his opponents. There are endless opportunities for his man to continue playing the game he is so passionate about. Tune in to find out where he will end up next.... 

Joe Rocca. His work ethic was never questioned. He was determined to get better at his game at a young age and the grind never stopped. Joe never settled! Always finding ways to improve his skill sets on and off the court. Playing at the next level built his confidence. He never stopped working. He had a plan to continue playing professional basketball, until he made the decision to retire. One of the toughest decisions he has had to make but he knew it was the right time.

Warren Ward. "If you change the medium then you can change the way people think". He sustained a few injuries throughout his basketball career. After fully recovering his come backs were stronger than ever. Despite his injuries Warren was able to accomplish many things on the court that most players have not yet been able to to do. Especially following extensive injuries. Off the court he was determined to have an impact on society and he has been doing just that! After retiring from his professional career he naturally began to work at job in his field at which he is excelling at. With the right mentality, opportunities are endless and Warren Ward is living proof of that! 

MiKyle McIntosh. Raptors Championship Parade, NBA Summer League, G League, European Professional Leagues... MiKyle McIntosh has done it all!! Canadian basketball player who never settled. Always eager to improve his game. After being told at a young age that he was never going to be good at the game of basketball, motivated him to be better and work hard at developing his game. His first year of university he was academically ineligible which set him back given he was unable to develop as a player individually and with his teammates. This set back motivated him to maintain his average and his skills on the court. He is beyond grateful for all of the opportunities to play for these team which has allowed him to grow as a man and as a basketball player. 

Jedson Tavernier. OUA Academic-All Canadian. Sacrifice and discipline are two things he instilled in himself to ensure his success on and off the court. Jed understands the importance of his education and the work ethic that is required to excel on the court and in the classroom. He was able to recognize what hard work and determination looks like at a very young age and was able to hold himself accountable to those expectations as he managed to do just that!! This episode is a must listen for first year athletes!!

Danielle Boiago. 2019-2020 Top 100 Women's Basketball Player's of the Century. Canadian basketball player born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario who excelled in the game of basketball. Her skills are unmatched. Whenever she stepped on the court she was a dominant force to be reckoned with. One of the most humble and most respected players that I have been able to play with. Danielle‘s work ethic is outstanding. She is always looking to add more to her game so that she can be better the following season. Players like her are made for leadership roles. Her growth throughout her 5 years at McMaster University allowed her to become a great leader and mentor for her teammates. Now that she has transitioned into a new role as a coach, her knowledge and love for the game continues to grow.  

Amy Audibert. Niagara local talent, currently working as the analyst for the Raptors 905! She got hooked on the game of basketball at a young age and never looked back! Amy played Division 1 basketball at the University of Miami. As a player Amy understood the value of respect and communication within the game of basketball, which allowed her to excel on and off the court with her teammates and coaches. Despite her back injury, she was able to collect herself and mentally get through the pain and the suffering of a severe injury, to finish her last few years of her NCAA career. After stepping away from the game, she got drawn back in knowing that basketball was going to be apart of her life for a very long time. https://pathstonementalhealth.ca

Kaza Kajami-Keane. There's more to the game of basketball. The game that he is so passionate about has been able to teach him so many things about life which has allowed him to learn and grow as a person. His experience worldwide has offered him endless amounts of opportunities to continue to excel at his game. A man who loves to WIN! Who doesn't? What sets him apart is that he know exactly what he has to do in order to ensure not only his success but the success of those around him. http://zerogunviolence-movement.com

Duane Notice. Professional basketball player for the Raptors 905. Once he returned from overseas he was at one of his lowest points within his basketball career, his work ethic and his purpose allowed him to persevered out of a tough mental spot, which has allowed him to develop as a better player. TAKE NOTICE that we all have a voice and that we can make an impact on the world.https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca 

Xavier Moon. The 2019 CEBL Player of the Year joins me to talk about the endless amount of success that he has had throughout his basketball career. He has had many opportunities to play for a number of teams and has had the chance to showcase his talent, in which he is truly grateful for every opportunity that has come his way. After experiencing the loss of a family member who had meant so much to him, he took some time to focus on his family. With all the knowledge that he has gained throughout his career, he continues to give back to his community in hopes of being a great mentor and role model for those who want to be successful in life and in the game of basketball. 

Myles Charvis. Professional basketball player with an incredible work ethic. He strives for greatness. He excels at many things, one of them being his leadership skills. Myles had an amazing mentor growing up, his father. Now its his turn to give back by being a mentor and role model, not only for the community but for his son. Everything happens for a reason and his hard work, leadership and determination set him up for greatness. FTG: https://foundationtogreatness.ca

Taylor Tiessen. The final episode devoted to the staff that are constantly working behind the scenes to allow our athletes to perform to the best of their abilities on and off the court. He is a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brock University who is extremely passionate about his career. Taylor is a one of a kind coach. Always eager to learn and looking to gain more knowledge within his field. Just this past season he worked with two successful women's basketball programs and was a part of a historical moment with the women's basketball team at Brock University. This is just the beginning for him, there are so many more opportunities for Taylor to continue succeeding and following his dreams, while being a great mentor for all of the athletes he works with. 

Kevin Wilson. Physiotherapy is one of his passions and the love for the game of basketball is another. Kevin wanted to combine both of those things and created a program that offers mentorship for youth athletes, while incorporating the game of basketball. He has found a tremendous amount of success with his program! Endless amount of opportunities for him and his program to continue succeeding in all aspects of life!

Julia Bellini. She does it all for the love of the game. Beyond the Baseline is devoted to Julia. A genuine person, who works really hard by putting herself in environments where she can continue succeeding! Throughout her journey of self discovery, she always knew she wanted to stay involved with the game of basketball. 

JV Mukama. The basketball program at Ryerson University set him up for success. His work ethic and determination is a product of his results. After University JV had so many opportunities to continue to showcase his skills sets and he was consistently eager to improve and strengthen those skills. Being able to represent Canada, playing in Rwanda in front of his friends and family and then getting drafted into the CEBL are only a few things that he has accomplished.. What's next for him? The possibilities are endless. 

JV Mukama. Prime example of an all around leader. After being told he would not be able to play in his 4th year, he was more than ready to play the following year. The basketball program accomplished so much that year as a team. Every game they played was tough, not one player held back, always playing to their fullest potential and they were able to look back on their season and be proud of their success! 

JV Mukama. Understanding what hard work looks like at a young age in order to achieve any of his goals or aspirations. JV knew what he had to get done on the basketball court in order to succeed. Academically, he was determined to improve. JV walks me through the first 3 years of his basketball career at Ryerson University. Exciting is an understatement. 

Meshack Lufile. Over achieving and out working his competition. He is a living testimony of working hard! His work ethic and determination to get better on and off the court will leave you motivated and hungry to be a better version of yourself. 

Levi Mukuna. Former pro basketball player, business man, coach, mentor and leader with a remarkable story. The amount of success Levi has found with everything he sets his mind to is truly remarkable. Must listen!!! Hope you enjoy the episode. 

David & Youri. Family over EVERYTHING! The bond that these two men have is amazing! They are continuously motivating one another to accomplish their goals and are dedicated to getting better each day as men and as a basketball player!

A leader on and off the court. Loves to inspire others and guide those who are passionate about fitness and health to succeed and achieve their goals. LINK to PACK: https://www.packprfrmnce.com 

Melanie Tanguay. Sharing about her journey with mental health and how the game of basketball helped her cope with the loss of her father.