In this episode of the Hoopwise podcast, hosted by Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller from the New England Basketball Journal, two standout college basketball players from Duke, Oluchi Okananwa & Taina Mair of Duke basketball, join the discussion. The episode covers a comprehensive look at their basketball journey, experiences playing in New England and at Duke, their perspectives on recruitment, memorable games, and the impact of influential coaches like Kara Lawson. Both players share insights on their growth, mental toughness, and the experiences that shaped their college careers. The episode also dives into fun segments with light-hearted questions about basketball memories and preferences.

Topics

00:34 Meet the Guests

02:24 March Madness Memories

05:04 Facing Top Competition

08:08 Coach Kara Lawson's Impact

13:23 Lessons from College Basketball

18:24 Recruitment Insights and Experiences

23:09 Intense Competition

23:53 Memorable Matchups and Games

25:29 Coaching and Transition to College

27:35 New England Basketball Recognition

29:27 Full Court Press: Fun Questions

36:49 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller welcome Michael Crotty, director and head coach of the Middlesex Magic 17U team. Crotty discusses the history and impact of the Middlesex Magic program, established by his father in 1993. They delve into his summer experiences, commitment season, and the developmental journey of standout players like Alex Wilkins and Ryder Frost. Additionally, Crotty shares stories involving NBA players Pat Connaughton, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Kolek, who are Magic alumni. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of grassroots basketball, the importance of mental toughness and role definition, and future goals for the program.

Topics

00:28 Special Guest: Michael Crotty of Middlesex Magic

00:40 Middlesex Magic's Impact and Achievements

00:56 Mike Crotty's Journey and Career

01:44 Summer Activities and Current Season

02:08 Commitments and College Recruitment

04:44 Challenges and Gratification in Coaching

08:34 Managing Multiple Players and Expectations

12:11 Alex Wilkins' Journey to Division I

15:20 Ryder Frost's Development and Success

19:18 The Importance of Physical Development

21:47 Joining the Under Armour Circuit

27:12 Defying Stereotypes in Grassroots Basketball

30:49 Building a Team Culture

32:26 Legacy and Values

33:21 NBA Success Stories

34:22 Lessons from Pat and Duncan

38:52 Memorable Moments

44:47 Future of the Program

47:42 Full Court Press: Panel Discussion

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt dive deep into the basketball scene in New England with special guest Vinh Bui. They explore Vin's significant impact on the Boston City basketball community, his experiences with Shooting Touch, and his coaching journey at Nobles and other institutions. The conversation takes a personal turn as Vin shares insights about his niece, Christina Pham, and the relationships and challenges that shape inner-city Boston basketball culture. They also discuss the impact of three-point shooting and analytics on modern basketball, highlighting both positive changes and potential drawbacks. The episode wraps up with a fun segment, 'Full Court Press,' where the hosts and Vin share their thoughts on favorite non-star players.

Topics

00:24 Guest Introduction: Vin Bui's Impact on Boston Basketball

01:01 Vinh Bui's Hong Kong Experience

03:16 Nobles Basketball Success and Challenges

07:12 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

15:09 Building an Independent Program: Shooting Touch

22:56 Game Planning and Toughest Opponents

26:31 Looking Ahead: Future Prospects and Personal Reflections

33:09 Reflecting on Parental Influence in Sports

33:44 Balancing Support and Criticism

34:43 Coaching Philosophy and Responsibilities

37:18 Challenges of Growing Up in Boston

41:13 Community and Basketball in Boston

44:26 Christina's Basketball Journey and Aspirations

49:13 The Impact of the Three-Point Revolution

53:45 Analytics in Basketball: Boon or Bane?

57:27 Favorite Non-Star Players

01:02:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast from New England Basketball Journal, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive deep into the New England basketball scene. They are joined by their first guest, Leo Papile, the founder of the Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC), established in 1977. Leo shares insights from his storied career, including his time working with the Celtics and Clippers, and his role in US men's national development team. The conversation covers the BABC's recent season, standout players and future prospects. The podcast also touches on the broader basketball landscape, AAU misconceptions, NIL impacts, and the evolution of recruiting. A light-hearted ‘Full Court Press’ segment wraps up the episode with rapid-fire questions about rules and memorable moments in basketball.

Topics

00:26 Introducing the First Guests: Leo Papile and Cotton

01:13 Leo Papile on Basketball Downtime and Olympic Insights

05:21 Discussing BABC's Season and Performance

09:06 Highlighting Top Players and Their Prospects

17:42 Recruitment and Academic Challenges

24:53 The Philosophy of Team and Individual Success

31:01 The Misnomer of AAU Basketball

32:27 Evolution of Grassroots Basketball Leagues

35:31 NIL Deals in Amateur Basketball

39:23 Coaching Philosophy and Longevity

43:44 Full Court Press: Rapid Fire Questions

54:45 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller discussing the basketball landscape in New England, with a focus on top girls basketball prospects. The conversation includes insights on covering girls basketball, player development, and the differences between MIAA and NEPSAC leagues. The hosts also reflect on their favorite stories, the rising interest in women's basketball, and the impact of players' commitments.

Topics

00:19 Highlighting Memorable Stories

03:34 Spotlight on Orla Gormley

04:53 Rising Stars in New England

13:06 The Debate: NEPSAC vs. MIAA

17:58 Top Prospects to Watch

20:54 Spotlight on Jasmine Cooper

23:23 Nobles' Key Players

25:30 Natalia Hall Rosa: A Rising Star

28:05 Alicia Mitchell: The Reliable Post Player

30:08 Cam Nelson: The Fast and Fearless Guard

31:30 High Motor Player: Theory from Haverhill

32:36 Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts

In this debut episode of the Hoopwise podcast from New England Basketball Journal, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller introduce the newly launched venture aimed at covering high school, prep school, and AAU basketball in New England. They discuss the schedule complexities and the year-round nature of youth basketball, as well as their goals for the podcast and online content. The episode highlights top boys basketball prospects for the class of 2025, providing insights into their backgrounds and potential future moves. Both Steve and Ethan share their backgrounds and experiences leading up to the launch, building excitement for the future of the New England Basketball Journal.

00:00 Introduction to Hoopwise Podcast

00:26 Excitement for New England Basketball Journal

01:27 Challenges of Covering Local Basketball

02:41 Spotlight on Top Prospects

05:01 Hosts' Backgrounds and Journey

07:05 Steve Hewitt's Journalism Journey

16:35 Ethan Fuller's Basketball Background

23:06 Excitement Over New Pod

23:16 Introducing Top Basketball Players in New England

24:22 Spotlight on AJ Dybantsa

25:22 AJ Dybantsa's High School Journey

26:32 AJ Dybantsa's College Decisions and Family Roots

31:23 Dwayne Aristode: A Rising Star

32:35 Oswin Erhunmwunse: The Defensive Powerhouse

35:45 Jaylen Harrell: Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year

37:41 South Kent's Promising Talents

40:56 New Hampton's Dynamic Duo

45:09 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

The HoopWise Podcast from New England Basketball Journal is here. Hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller explore the local amateur basketball scene — and the many talented prospects who are in the pipeline to play high-end college basketball. Steve and Ethan discuss the launch of New England Basketball Journal and their plans to bring you coverage in this podcast and out our site — BasketballJournal.com.