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Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast

Visit aussiehoopla.com for an in depth analysis of Aussie Basketball and its players both here in the NBL and overseas. Subscribe to our podcast for regular interviews with players, coaches and legends discussing everything on the Australian Basketball scene. NBA, NBL, SEABL, BIGV, ABA or Internationally (FIBA).
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Now displaying: Category: professional
Mark Dalton (NBL Legend) on the ultimate 'Hard Men' of the NBL 0
May 19, 2023

NBL legend Mark Dalton returns to the Aussie Hoopa podcast to share his list of true 'Hard Men' of the NBL's early days.

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

With a career spanning 1984 to 2000 'Tang' (as he is affectionately known) went head to head against some of the greats of NBL history, including Andrew Vlahov, Mark Davis, Scott Fisher, and many more, giving him the perfect vantage point, and experience, to know who was a true 'Hard Man' and who was just a thug.

He takes us through what he feels a true 'Hard Man' is and shares his top 10 'Hard Men' of NBL history, sharing stories of the times he faced them on the court.

Elbows, ejections and dirty plays are littered through this episode, as Dalton runs through his list with the host of Aussie Hoopla, Dan Boyce.

Topics include...

  • How Mark got the nickname “Tang” (2:00)
  • The criteria Mark used to determine his all-time “Hard Men” of the NBL (4:00) What venues were the hardest to play in during the 1980s and 1990s (7:00)
  • Mark shares his list of the top 10 NBL hard men during his 16-year NBL career (9:00)

Mark Dalton played seventeen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Canberra Cannons, Geelong Cats, Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Wollongong Hawks. He averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 421 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 39th in total games played.
– 32nd in total rebounds
– 24th in total steals
– 17th in total blocks

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Tyler Harvey, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Jack White, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Dwayne McClain, Darnell Mee, Shawn Redhage, Al Green, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Craig Moller on Covid preventing the Kings from winning the 2020 title and advice on choosing AFL vs NBL careers 0
May 2, 2023

Craig Moller grew up playing both basketball and football in Sydney, signing a scholarship with the Fremantle Dockers at 14 years of age. In December 2012, he was officially drafted by Fremantle in the 2013 rookie draft and spent two years in the AFL system before being delisted and returned to playing state league basketball, a pathway that led him to the NBL.

Moller entered the league with the Sydney Kings under coach Andrew Gaze before moving to Melbourne United where he won an NBL championship in 2018.

He returned to Sydney in 2020 and was a part of the Sydney Kings team that was forced to withdraw from the Grand Final series as a result of COVID-19, handing the title to the Perth Wildcats.

After spending a year playing in Germany, and rehabbing from a severe leg injury, he joins us to discuss a wide range of topics with the host of Aussie Hoopla, Dan Boyce.

Topics include...

  • Craig fills us in on his basketball journey since signing a deal to play in Germany in 2021 (2:00)
  • The different coaching styles of Andrew Gaze, Will Weaver and Dean Vickerman (4:00)
  • The ups and downs of euro basketball and his first season playing in Germany’s Bundesliga (6:30)
  • Dealing with injuries and his mental approach to adversity (12:00)
  • Currently a free agent, Craig takes us through how he's currently making a decision on where to play in Germany or Australia (14:00)
  • The differences in play between Germany and the NBL (16:30)
  • Playing for the Australian Boomers during the team’s FIBA qualifying games (24:00)
  • His desire to play 3x3 for Australia (26:00)
  • Looking back on how he made his decisions when decided to play AFL or NBL as a teenager (27:00)
  • What he likes about playing in regional towns like Hobart and Ballarat (34:00)
  • Being able to get back into basketball at a national level after his AFL career (38:00) 
  • Signing a developmental deal with the Sydney Kings (41:00)
  • The King's dominant 2019/20 season which was derailed by Covid and what really went down during the Kings meeting that saw them forfeit the Grand Final (48:00)
  • The biggest hurdles and highlights from his career (57:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Tyler Harvey, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Jack White, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Dwayne McClain, Darnell Mee, Shawn Redhage, Al Green, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Dwayne McClain (Sydney Kings Legend) on Villanova's Perfect Game, his time in the NBL and the NBA 0
Apr 19, 2023

Dwayne McClain played 105 career NBL games, averaged 25.4 points per game, finished third in MVP voting in 1993 and was a part of the All-NBL Teams in 1991-1993.

He was the first NBL player to be sponsored by an international brand (Coca-Cola) and, along with Andrew Gaze, was the first NBL player to have his own signature shoe (with Reebok).

The 'D-Train' joins host Dan Boyce on the show to discuss his time with the Sydney Kings, Gold Coast Rollers and Brisbane Bullets and his experiences playing in college and the NBA.

Although fondly remembered in Australia for being a part of the exciting Kings squads of the 1990s, he also won an NCAA championship with Villanova where he was the game-high scorer against a supremely talented Georgetown team that featured Patrick Ewing.

To win the championship McClain and Villanova University had to play 'The Perfect Game' and he takes through that period of his life and how it shaped the rest of his career.

Tune in to hear all of this and a lot more.

Topics include...

  • Dwayne McClain returns to Australia (2:00)

  • Winning the 1985 NCAA championship and being a part of ‘the perfect game’ (6:00)

  • A stint with the Indiana Pacers (12:30)

  • Playing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s All-Star team and discovering basketball in Australia (16:00)

  • His first season in Sydney (18:00)

  • His second season with the Kings and the 92 semi-final series against the Melbourne Tigers (19:30)

  • 1993, his third year with the Kings and what led to the disappointing season (22:30)

  • Trevor Ariza and his Sydney Kings connection (23:30)

  • How McClain and the Sydney Kings parted ways (24:00)

  • A short stint with the Gold Coast Rollers and then the Brisbane Bullets (26:00)

  • How D-Train ended his time in the NBL (30:00)

  • Basketball blood runs deep in the McClain family with NBA legend Chuck Person and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Katrina McClain being his cousins (31:00)

  • The nightlife in Sydney during the 1990s (34:00)

  • The biggest learning moments and the highlights from Dwayne’s basketball journey (35:30)Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Tyler Harvey, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Jack White, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Dwayne McClain, Darnell Mee, Shawn Redhage, Al Green, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Tyler Harvey (Illawarra Hawks) his approach to shooting, routine as a pro and his NBL career so far 0
Apr 6, 2023

Tyler Harvey entered the NBL by storm, taking the Illawarra Hawks to the semi-finals and finishing runner-up in MVP voting after a season where the team finished dead last.

Since that time, he's consistently been among the league's highest scorers, and he's, without a doubt, one of the greatest shooters the league's ever seen.

Tyler enters his fourth season with the Hawks and has averaged 18.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists since entering the league in 2021.

Harvey joins host Dan Boyce on the show to discuss his time and college and if he made the right decision entering the NBA draft as a junior, his experiences overseas and in Australia, how he approaches basketball and life when he's away from the court... most notably becoming a father only three weeks ago.

Tune in to hear all of this and a lot more.

Topics include...

  • How Tyler is spending his NBL off-season (2:00)
  • Why he loves playing in Australia (4:30)
  • His view on last season and how he is approaching the next season (7:00)
  • Whether he made the right decision entering the NBA draft as a junior (11:30)
  • Being drafted by the Orlando Magic and fighting for a spot in the NBA (16:00)
  • His relationship with Brian Goorjian and how he made his way to play in Australia (20:00)
  • Thoughts on players using the NBL as a springboard to the NBA instead of the G-League (24:00)
  • Tyler’s shooting routine (30:00)
  • What he loves about Wollongong (34:00)
  • How you can get shooting tips directly from Tyler (39:00)
  • The biggest hurdles and the highlights faced during his basketball journey (40:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Tyler Harvey, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Jack White, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Mark Dalton (421 NBL Games) on being 'blacklisted' from the Boomers, Basketball politics and his NBL career 0
Apr 2, 2023

Very few have accomplished more than NBL legend Mark Dalton by age 20. In that time, he had played for the Australian Boomers at the 1984 Olympics and averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a starter in the Canberra Cannon's second NBL championship.

Dalton played seventeen seasons across five NBL teams. This included the Canberra Cannons, Geelong Cats, Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Wollongong Hawks, and his all-time numbers sit amongst some of the best to have ever done it. Ranking in the top 40 for games played and rebounds as well as sitting in the top 25 for total steals and blocks.

Yet, he never played for the Boomers at the Olympics again. He says poor advice from AIS coaches stopped him from taking a scholarship from major US colleges, and his NBL journey saw him unceremoniously axed from multiple NBL teams.

Dalton joins host Dan Boyce on the show to discuss a myriad of topics, ranging from all of this plus NBL free agency, his son Callum, his NBL career and his recent fight against cancer.

Tune in to hear all of this and a lot more.

Topics include...

    • Thoughts on NBL Free Agency and what advice he has for his son Callum, who currently plays for Melbourne United (2:00)
    • The early years of the Australian Institute of Sport (9:00)
    • How he was talked out of playing college basketball by AIS coaches (15:00)
    • Being unfairly 'blacklisted' by the Australian Boomers and left of numerous teams he felt he deserved to play for (16:30)
    • A cancer scare that has him urging every man over 50 years of age to get checked (25:00)
    • The 1984 Canberra Cannons championship (35:00)
    • Moving to Geelong to play for the Cats (45:00)
    • Being a part of the Sydney Kings during their first 8 years in the league (49:00)
    • The biggest learning moments he gained from his NBL career (101:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Chris Harriman (California Golden Bears) advice on becoming a college coach or basketball player 0
Mar 13, 2023

Chris Harriman played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Kings and the Hunter Pirates (runner-up in the 2004 rookie of the year award) before taking up an opportunity to coach college basketball.

Since then, he's coached at some of the top college basketball programs, including Saint Louis, Nebraska, New Mexico and the University of Cal (Berkley), where he is an assistant coach to  Mark Fox.

While few may be aware of who Harriman is, many are familiar with his work. During his almost 20 years coaching in the US, he's helped develop some of the NBL's best talent, including Kevin Lisch, Keanu Pinder, Brian Conklin, Tim Coenraad, Rob Loe and Jack McVeigh, amongst many others.

Harriman joins host Dan Boyce on the show to discuss a myriad of topics, ranging from the current state of college basketball, thoughts on the Australian basketball system compared to the USA, how the NBL hurt young basketball talent with the points system during the 2000s and advice for anyone hoping to play or coach in the US college system.

Topics include...

  • The role of an assistant coach in the US college system and how it compares to being an assistant coach in the NBL (2:00)
  • His time with the Sydney Kings during the 98/99 season (5:30)
  • Remembering the talent of former Kings import Acie Earl (8:30)
  • Playing division II college basketball with Augusta State and its Aussie pipeline during the early 2000s (9:30)
  • His return to the NBL after college and a season with the Hunter Pirates (11:00)
  • How the NBL points system hurt the development of Australian talent, especially point guards (14:00)
  • Developing some of the NBL’s best talent, a list that includes Keanu Pinder, Kevin Lisch, Tim Coenraad, Brian Conklin, Jack McVeigh and many more (18:30)
  • How US colleges view Aussie players right now (20:00)
  • What Aussie players need to know if they want to play college basketball (22:00)
  • How college basketball has dramatically changed since Covid (25:00)
  • How things have changed now college players are ‘getting paid’, and top players are now generating ‘six figures’ (27:00)
  • Lessons learnt from Rick Majerus and other coaches (30:00)
  • What Aussie coaches need to know if they want to become a college basketball coach (34:00)
  • Thoughts on coaching in the NBL (35:00)
  • The biggest hurdles and the highlights faced during his basketball journey (40:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Tim Coenraad on the Illawarra Hawks highs and lows across his 14 year NBL career 0
Mar 1, 2023

This week saw Illawarra Hawks stalwart Tim Coenraad retire after 14 seasons in the NBL.

He steps away from the Hawks as the third-highest in games played capped Hawks player of all time has announced his retirement.

One of the finest three-point shooters in the league, particularly when playing at home in the WIN Entertainment Centre in front of a crowd invariably full of #22 Coenraad jerseys, he joins this episode of the podcast to talk about the different eras he went through as a player, experiencing different coaches (McLeod, Beveridge, Goorjian, etc.), across multiple seasons. The period of time where Illawarra seemed to be regularly fighting through voluntary administration and his experiences playing alongside some of the biggest names in Hawks history.

He also tells about the year spent playing alongside LaMelo Ball and the media circus which accompanied that.

Topics include...

  • What retirement looks like for Tim Coenraad (2:00)

  • What his role will be within the Hawks organisation moving forward (4:00)

  • Looking at how his career ended and the stories behind his multiple comebacks (8:00)

  • The things he will miss and the things he’s happy he'll never have to face again now his NBL career is finished (14:00)

  • What was the closest he ever came to playing for another NBL team (22:00)

  • Looking at different eras of the Hawks, starting with the Gordie McLeod era (27:00)

  • The imports he enjoyed playing with most during his time with the Hawks (30:00)

  • Why he enjoyed playing with LaMelo Ball (32:00)

  • The Rob Beveridge Era and the hatred he feels for the Perth Wildcats (35:00)

  • Knocking Adelaide out of the playoffs and reaching the NBL Grand Final in 2017 (39:00)

  • The Hawks v Kings rivalry and how Illawarra players are introduced to it (44:00)

  • His last season with the club and the difficulties faced by Jacob Jackomas in his first year of coaching (47:00)

  • The most challenging times he faced being a part of the Hawks organisation whilst it faced numerous years of financial difficulty (49:00)

  • The LaMelo Ball season and the circus that came with it in 2020 (53:00)

  • His relationship with coach Brian Goorjian and what he taught him as a player (55:00)

  • The biggest hurdles he faced as a player (59:00)

  • The highlights of his career (1:03:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Ron Dorsey on Cairns "almost" winning the title in 2011 and Melbourne's brutal 2012 season 0
Feb 2, 2023

Cairns Taipans forward Ron Dorsey nailed an incredible three-point fade away to send game two of the 2011 NBL Grand Final series into double overtime, the first time this had occurred in NBL history.

He joins this episode of the podcast to talk about his time in Cairns, how close the team came to winning it all, and, of course, gives us a play-by-play of the aforementioned shot.

He also tells up about playing alongside Patty Mills at the Melbourne Tigers in 2011/12, a season which ended up tumultuous, to say the very least.

Topics include...

  • Growing up in Detroit (2:00)
  • Following in Joe Dumars footsteps (6:00)
  • Beginning his pro career in Finland (9:00)
  • An NBA try-out with the San Antonio Spurs (12:00)
  • Signing with Cairns and their run to the NBL Grand Final (15:30)
  • Dorsey, Ayinde Ubaka and Daniel Dillon all leave Cairns for the Tigers (27:00)
  • Patty Mills joins the Tigers (29:00)
  • Winning a title in the New Zealand NBL (35:00)
  • Wrapping up his career and then retiring from pro basketball (36:30)
  • Life after basketball - The RD Hoops Academy (38:00)
  • The highlights and challenges from his hoops journey (41:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

FANS ONLY: Should the NBL have a Pride Round? 0
Jan 25, 2023

In this episode, host Dan Boyce asks the question, 'Should we have an NBL Pride Round' and, together with Sydney Kings superfan and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community Olivia Evans discuss the positives and negatives of the Pride Round, Cairns Decision not to participate in it and the reaction of fans on social media to devoting an entire round to the  LGBTQ+ community.

 
Topics covered include…
  • How the LGBTQ+ community has responded to the NBL announcing it's Pride Round (2:00)
  • Should there be an NBL Pride Round (7:00)
  • Multiple NBL players decide not to participate in Pride Round (11:00)
  • The positives and negatives of having a Pride Round (26:00)
  • Cairns Taipans' statement on why the entire team will not participate in Pride Round (34:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Cam Bairstow on retiring at 31, playing through injuries and NBA, NBL and Boomers memories 0
Jan 19, 2023

Five months ago, Cam Bairstow retired from basketball at the age of 31. Cam joins the podcast to talk with host Dan Boyce about fighting through the pain of those injuries during his time in the NBL and what he plans to do for a second career.

The talented forward played a total of 74 games for Brisbane, Illawarra and most recently, the Adelaide 36ers, but perhaps his greatest achievement though was his two seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, lining up on 36 occasions from 2014 to 2016.

Bairstow also represented Australia during both the 2014 FIBA Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics campaigns.

Topics include...

  • How he decided it was time to retire (2:00)
  • The luck and help from others that Cam experienced which helped him reach the NBA (9:00)
  • Was Cam Bairstow’s AIS class the most talented in AIS history? (10:00)
  • Memories of playing at the AIS (12:00)
  • Hurdles faced during his time at New Mexico University (14:00)
  • Playing for Steve Alford and how his ‘Bobby Knight’ style didn’t mesh with Cam (16:00)
  • The way Aussie players mentally play the game compared to others (18:00)
  • What led to his breakout season as a senior and his experience being drafted by the Chicago Bulls (20:00)
  • How strength training played a big role in his college success and being drafted (25:00)
  • Playing for the Australian Boomers and how it helped him prepare for the NBA (28:00)
  • How he experienced the Chicago Bulls and why he chose to sign with Brisbane instead of trying to sign a second contract in the NBA (34:00)
  • His experience as a part of the Boomers at the Rio Olympics and the shoulder injury that may have cost Australia a bronze medal (40:00)
  • His two seasons with the Brisbane Bullets and playing in Australia for the first time (43:00)
  • Playing in Lithuania as an import (46:00)
  • A season playing with the Illawarra Hawks and again fighting through injuries (54:00)
  • How he approached his last season in Adelaide (55:30)
  • The biggest hurdles and learning moments from his basketball journey (59:00)
  • Cam’s plans to move into a career as a player agent next season (1:00:00)
  • The highlights of his basketball journey (1:05:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball.

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Coach Al Westover on the highs and lows of the Melbourne Tigers championship years 0
Nov 26, 2022

The Melbourne Tigers left possibly the biggest imprint in Australian basketball history, winning four NBL championships in fifteen years (1993 to 2008) and being home to basketball royalty like Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Mark Bradtke and Chris Anstey.

Al Westover, who was born in California and originally left the states to join the Tigers as a player during the 1970s, re-joined the team as a coach in 1992 and was a part of all four of the club's championship runs.

Al, who left the Tigers after playing in one NBL season with the team, returned eight years later to assist head coach Lindsay Gaze, a partnership which lasted until 2005 when Lindsay retired, and Al was named head coach.

In his first year as coach, Al not only won the NBL Coach of the Year Award but won the NBL championship with a re-tooled roster featuring Chris Anstey on his return from stints in the NBA and Europe.

Two years later, Westover and Anstey won another NBL Championship, a feat that saw Westover become the first coach in NBL history to reach the Grand Final in each of his first four years as coach, resulting in two Championships and two Runners Up.

Four NBL Championships and four runners-up later, Al was unceremoniously fired from his coaching role with the Tigers and never coached again in the NBL.

Westover remains the second-winningest coach in NBL history (134-74 win-loss record).

Topics include...
  • Where Al Westover is coaching these days (2:00)
  • Arriving in Australia as a player and memories of the VBL of the ’70s and ’80s (4:00)
  • Why the Melbourne Tigers chose to play in the Victorian Basketball League instead of the NBL in the 1980s (7:00)
  • Playing in the NBL during the 1980s and memories of the competition (10:00)
  • Joining the Tigers as an assistant coach (11:00)
  • How the Melbourne Tigers linked China to the NBL (14:00)
  • The Tigers V Magic rivalry of the 1990s (17:00)
  • The Tigers' first championship in 1993 (19:00)
  • The second title in 1997 (21:00)
  • How Lindsey and Alan juggled the coaching responsibilities of the team between 1992 and 2005 (24:00)
  • Taking over as coach in 2005 and adding Chris Anstey to the roster (25:30)
  • Winning the 2006 championship as head coach of the Tigers (27:00)
  • Falling short to the Brisbane Bullets in 2007 (32:00)
  • Coaching Chris Anstey (36:00)
  • Coaching against his former Tigers teammate Brian Goorjian (40:00)
  • Facing the South Dragons in the Tigers' fourth Grand Final in four years (44:00)
  • Did the ‘Gaze Era’ Melbourne Tigers underachieve by only winning two titles (48:00)
  • The Tigers sack Al Westover despite delivering 4 Grand Final appearances in five seasons (49:30)
  • Coaching in Japan (57:00)
  • The highlights and learning moments of his basketball journey (59:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Chris Pongrass (Sydney Kings CEO) on the nuances of the NBL salary cap 0
Nov 9, 2022

With the release of the NBL salary cap figures and player salaries via a number of News Corp articles, it has become very clear that there are many nuances within the economics of the NBL, so our host Dan Boyce reached out to Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass to help explain how the cap works, soft cap vs hard cap numbers, the myriad of player exemptions and how NBL teams utilise them to benefit from NBL salary cap rules.

Topics include...

  • Thoughts on how the Kings roster has come together so far (1:30)

  • Jaylen Adams' chances of returning to the Sydney Kings (3:30)

  • The nuances of the NBL salary cap and how teams navigate it (7:00)

  • The inaccuracies of News Corp’s article on player salaries and how the salary cap works (10:00)

  • How do the Sydney Kings prioritise salary cap exemptions when signing players (14:00)

  • How the Marquee Player rule works (18:00)

  • What parts of a player's salary go towards the NBL cap (22:00)

  • How the Next Stars Program works within the cap and why building your team around them is a risky move (23:00)

  • Special Restricted Players and why Asian players are so valuable to NBL teams right now (27:00)

  • How the NBL is a better option for players than China’s CBA… in some scenarios (33:00)

  • The Reconciliation Action Plan exemption and how it works (37:00)

  • The NBL’s soft cap, how it works and how the ‘luxury tax’ is distributed amongst teams (40:00)

  • Thoughts on player salaries and team salaries being released to the public and the pros and cons of it (43:00)

  • What Chris learned from his six years with the Memphis Grizzlies and how he uses those learnings with the Kings today (47:00)

  • What the Kings 2022 championship meant to Chris and the Sydney Kings (58:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball

Head to Aussie Hoopla to check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chris Pongrass, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Jacob Wiley on returning to the NBL and his time with the Adelaide 36ers 0
Oct 20, 2022

Jacob Wiley joined the Adelaide 36ers as a replacement for Mitch Creek in 2018. 

His 'one and done' season saw him finish the year as one of the premier forwards in the league and fill the highlight reels with multiple posterizing dunks.

Wiley averaged 12.3 points and 5 rebounds playing for then coach Joey Wright, who he credits with helping to shape his basketball career.

After initially re-signing with Adelaide for another season, Wiley exercised his European out-clause in June 2019 to play with Spanish team Gran Canaria.

He now plays for the Shiga Lakes in Japan's B.League, a team that also competes in the newly launched EASL (an Asian champions league).

He joins Dan Boyce on the podcast to share with us his thoughts on playing in the NBL and how he is already talking to NBL teams about returning next season.

Topics include...
  • Playing in Japan and the newly formed EASL league (2:00)
    Why Japan is after the best frontcourt players in the world (3:30)
  • Why he wants to return to Australia and play in the NBL next season (5:00)
  • How imports in Asia view the NBL right now (6:30)
  • How Jacob ended up playing in Adelaide for the 2018 season (8:00)
  • His experiences being coached by Joey Wright (11:00)
  • The ups and downs of the Adelaide 36ers 2018-19 season (13:00)
  • Being aware of your 'stock' as an import and making the right contract decisions (23:00)
  • Playing in Europe (27:00)
  • An import's role in Europe and making the adjustment there (28:00)
  • Winning a championship in Puerto Rico (30:00)
  • The biggest learning moments and highlights from his career so far (34:00)
 
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Tim Soares (Sydney Kings) early thoughts on the NBL, how he ended up in Australia and NAIA vs NCAA schools 0
Oct 8, 2022

Tim Soares joins the Sydney Kings as one of their newest imports, and he's focused on being the best centre in the league and leading the team to back-to-back championships.

He's a player who has taken an unusual journey to reach the NBL. With his mother and father, both professional basketball players who met while in Brazil, he developed his early game in Brazil (he is only the second NBL player ever to grow up in Brazil) before moving to the USA to play college basketball.

With his family having a strong Christian faith, he chose to play at the little-known Master's University in California, an NAIA school, before nominating for the NBA Draft.

Due to COVID-19 he was unable to participate in any pre-draft workouts for teams and ultimately wasn't selected in the 2020 NBA Draft. Since then, he's played in Turkey and Israel prior to signing a deal to play in Australia, which he hopes to use as a springboard to the NBA like former Brazilian and Sydney Kings star Didi Louzada.

He joins Dan Boyce on the podcast to take us through all of this and much, much more.

Topics include...
  • Thoughts on the NBL after playing in his first NBLgame (2;00)
  • His NBA summer league experience with Milwaukee (6:00)
  • Thoughts on Australia and the NBL before arriving (7:00)
  • Thoughts on coach Chase Buford and which teammates have been getting him accustomed to the Australian lifestyle (8:30)
  • How is his resume not the same as your usual NBL import (11:00)
  • Attending an NAIA university instead of an NCAA university to become a pro (14:00)
  • Basketball genes run deep in the Soares family (18:00)
  • Graduating college and interest from NBA teams (19:00)
  • Playing in Europe for his first seasons as a pro (22:00)
  • Things he's planning to do while in Australia (24:00)
  • How he was offered the opportunity to play for the Sydney Kings (25:00)
  • Players and teams, he's keen to face during the NBL season (28:00)
  • Hurdles and highlights faced during his career so far (30:00)
 
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Danny Mills (Perth Wildcats GM) on plans to face euro teams, recruiting this season's roster and the end of the Wildcats consecutive playoff streak 0
Sep 30, 2022

General Manager of Basketball Operations for the Perth Wildcats Danny Mills joins the podcast to provide some insights into the hirings and firings made by the Perth Wildcats this season.

The team added Corey Webster and imports Brady Manek and TaShawn Thomas while saying goodbye to Vic Law and Michael Frazier. Danny provides clarity on what motivated the Wildcats to make each roster change and how he expects it to improve the team.

Topics include...
  • What's been happening behind the scenes at the Wildcats since the team's 35-year consecutive playoff streak was broken six months ago (2:00)
  • John Rillie's integration as head coach and his first few months with the team (4:00)
  • What role will the Cleveland Cavaliers play with Luke Travers during this NBL season (11:30)
  • What surprised Danny in NBL during his first year as Perth Wildcats GM (13:00)
  • What's different in the NBL season this season compared to last (17:00)
  • Why Perth decided against the NBLxNBA games and plans to face Euroleague teams in the future (19:00)
  • How do NBL players like Dusty Hannahs, Greg Whittington, BJ Johnson have moderate success in the NBL yet still get NBA deals (25:00)
  • NBA Exhibit 10 contracts (27:30)
  • How SEN's New Zealand team, the Otago Nuggets, is giving the Perth Wildcats an advantage in the NBL (29:00)
  • The biggest learnings from running the Wildcats program over the past 12 months (34:00)
  • What Perth Wildcats fans can expect from the team this season (36:00)
 
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Daniel Johnson (Adelaide 36ers) on the team's new roster and entering his fifteenth season 0
Sep 22, 2022

Off the back of winning a silver medal as part of Australia's 3x3 team at the Commonwealth Games Daniel Johnson joins the podcast to discuss the Adelaide 36ers re-look roster and what he's hoping to achieve in his fifteenth season in the NBL.

Johnson, who has scored more points in the NBL than any other player since 2008, is a seven-time All-NBL Team member, including three All-NBL First Team recognitions. Johnson is also a long-time Australian state league player and has had many stints overseas.

Topics include...
  • Winning the silver medal in 3x3 competition at Commonwealth Games (2:00)
  • Heading into season 15 and what he's been able to achieve during this career to date (4:00)
  • Thoughts on the 36ers new-look roster for 2022-23 (6:00)
  • Mental health, balancing basketball and life and the Kings forfeiting the championship in 2020 (12:00)
  • His pathway to the NBL (11:00)
  • His rookie season with the Melbourne Tigers (15:00)
  • Moving to Adelaide and his time with the 36ers so far (20:00)
  • His relationship with former coach Joey Wright and his most productive season in the NBL (23:00)
  • A missed opportunity for a championship in 2018 (28:00)
  • Finally making it onto a Boomers squad in 2019 and Daniel's thoughts on what kept him off the Australian team for the majority of his career (33:00)
  • The biggest highlights and learning moments of his career (36:00)
 
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Daniel Johnson, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Jordan Hunter (Sydney Kings) on learning from greats Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, injuries and their mental hurdles and passions on and off the court 0
Aug 25, 2022

Jordan Hunter exploded in his second year in the NBL, his production jumping from averaging 0.9 points and 1 rebounds in 63 total minutes to 9.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.

Then, prior to the 2021/22 season an unfortunate fracture to both his finger and his foot then saw him miss the entire 2021/22 season.

Hunter joins the podcast to take host Dan Boyce through his rehab, the mental hurdles players he faced and the importance of having passions both on and off the court.

He also dives deeper into the tutelage he has received from Aussie basketball greats like Luc Longley, Andrew Bogut, Daniel Kcikert and Aleks Maric and how they've helped shape his basketball IQ.

Topics include...
  • His season ending injuries and working himself back into shape via the NBL1 (2:00)
  • The soul searching that players face during injury and how he handled it missing an entire season (7:00)
  • Jordan's passions off the court and his goal to write a fantasy novel in the future (9:00)
  • Mental health, balancing basketball and life and the Kings forfeiting the championship in 2020 (12:00)
  • Making it to Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (20:00)
  • Playing college basketball at St Mary's University (25:00)
  • The big man 'brains trust' the Sydney Kings have with former Boomers Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley, Daniel Kickert and Aleks Maric being part of the team (33:00)
  • His breakout season in 2020/21 where he finished runner-up for the NBL Most Improved Player award (35:00)
  • Jordan's mental approach to the game of basketball and how he fell back in love with the game thanks to the Sydney Kings (40:00)
  • Expectations for the coming NBL season (42:30)
  • The biggest highlights and learning moments of his career (45:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

CJ Bruton (Adelaide 36ers coach) on building this years roster, Kai Sotto's NBA future and Next Stars Program 0
Jul 28, 2022

CJ Bruton is currently building his first NBL roster as an NBL head coach, and he joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to talk through his process and how he's managed to land some big names like Robert Franks and Antonious Cleveland.

 Bruton took over as the team's head coach just prior to last season's tip-off, with the roster having already been finalized by former 36ers GM Jeff Van Groningen and Coach Connor Henry.

Bruton, a six-time NBL championship winner as a player, joined Adelaide after a stint as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Bullets.

Prior to that, he played 17 seasons in the national league, winning 6 NBL championships as well as being a dual Olympian, playing for the Boomers 104 times.

He was part of Australia's gold-medal winning Commonwealth Games team at the 2006 Melbourne Games and was an assistant coach for the Boomers when they also won Commonwealth gold in 2018 on the Gold Coast.

Topics include...
  • The day-to-day grind of CJ's first time recruiting as an NBL head coach (2:00)
  • How the 36ers were able to sign both big-name free agent targets Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland (8:00)
  • Background on Kai Sotto's decision to enter the NBA draft early and his return to Adelaide for 2022-23 (11:00)
  • CJ Bruton's thoughts on the Next Stars program and whether Adelaide will sign a Next Stars player for this season (15:00)
  • CJ's attempt at bringing Scoot Henderson, the projected #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft (17:00)
  • How close are the 36ers to signing some of the big names linked to them right now ie. Scotty Hopson, Cam Bairstow, Travis Trice (19:00)
  • What went wrong during the 36ers' 2021-22 season (27:00)
  • The biggest learning moment from last season and what changes CJ has implemented as a result (38:00)
  •  
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Kai Sotto, Luke Travers

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Steve Woodberry, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner, Danny Mills

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Aaron Fearne (University of Charlotte) gives advice to players wanting to play college basketball and how to fast track a winning culture 0
Jul 9, 2022

Aaron Fearne was head coach of the Taipans for nine seasons and led the team to three postseason berths. Fearne was named the NBL Coach of the Year in 2015.

Prior to the 2018/19 season, the Taipans announced that Fearne would not return as head coach and shortly after he moved to the US to take up a role as an assistant coach at the University of Charlotte.

Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce spoke with 'Fearny' about the differences between college basketball and the NBL, his time with the Cairns Taipans, his year in the NBA with Nathan Jawai and his message for players or parents of players who want to make it onto an NCAA basketball team.

Topics include...
  • Aaron Fearne updates us on how his transition to coaching in the US college system after 9 seasons as head coach of the Cairns Taipans (2:00)
  • How the University of Charlotte is recruiting players in Australia and New Zealand (6:00)
  • How Covid is still impacting college recruiting, even in 2022 (7:30)
  • The major differences between coaching in the NBL and the NCAA (14:00)
  • Advice for players or parents of players who want to make it onto a Division I college basketball team (18:00)
  • Is there a way to know the best pathway to become a professional basketball player ie. college, AIS, NBL? (24:00)
  • The year Aaron spent in the NBA with Nathan Jawai as his development coach (28:00)
  • The key to creating a winning culture in a short period of time and how he was able to do that with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL (37:00)
  • Aaron Farne's coaching website and how you can purchase his online coaching course (44:00)
  • The biggest hurdles and rewarding moments having transitioned to college coaching (46:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Josh Powell (Sydney Kings) on back to back titles with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant memories and his time in the NBL 0
Jun 27, 2022

Josh Powell rose up from being a homeless teenager to reach the NBA, where he played seven seasons, before playing overseas which included a stop with the Sydney Kings during the 2016-17 season.

He now plays for the Killer 3's in the Big 3 competition under coach Charles Oakley and Powell joins Dan Boyce on the podcast the discuss overcoming the odds, his time playing for the University of North Carolina State, winning two NBA championships with the LA Lakers, his friendship with Kobe Bryant, highlights from his 17 years as a professional basketball player and what went wrong with the Sydney Kings in 2017.

Topics include...
  • Playing in the Big 3 with the Killer 3's under coach Charles Oakley (2:00)
  • Being homeless as a teenager and how he overcome a rough home life in order to reach the NBA (6:00)
  • Playing college basketball for North Carolina State (11:00)
  • Going through the NBA draft and not being selected and his first years as a pro playing in Europe (14:00)
  • Signing with the Dallas Mavericks and his experiences as a rookie in the NBA (17:00)
  • The 2006 NBA championship, falling short to the Miami Heat and why Josh thinks this is one of the most controversial Finals in NBA history (21:00)
  • Being traded to Indiana and then Golden State, how does being traded affect a players mindset (24:00)
  • His best season in the NBA comes with the LA Clippers (25:30)
  • Fighting to stay in the NBA and the mental toll it requires (27:00)
  • Being signed by the LA Lakers and how their locker room was different to other NBA teams (28:00)
  • His brotherhood with Kobe Bryant and stories from the times they spent together (30:00)
  • The Lakers vs Celtics rivalry (35:00)
  • Signing with the Atlanta Hawks and getting to play back home (38:30)
  • Signing with the Houston Rockets only to be made their player development coach (40:00)
  • Reaching Australia and his season with the Sydney Kings (42:30)
  • Playing under Andrew Gaze and where things went wrong at the Kings  (45:00)
  • Retiring from professional basketball, how Josh knew it was time (54:00)
  • The biggest mistakes and learning experiences Josh went through during his career (57:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Shawn Dennis (Nagoya Dolphins) on the growth of Japans B.League, what NBL players the league is trying to sign and plans for the East Asian Super League 0
Jun 13, 2022
Shawn Dennis spent 16 years in the NBL as a coach with the Newcastle Falcons, Perth Wildcats and Townsville Crocodiles, this included winning NBL coach of the year in 2016.

Since the demise of the Crocodiles Dennis has coached in Japan's rapidly growing B.League, the country's premier national league despite having only started in 2016 has become one of the highest paying leagues in the world.

This NBL off-season numerous players are engaged in talks with both Australian and B.League teams with Japan's national league likely to snatch up a number of NBL players for the coming season.

 
Topics include...
  • How basketball is improving in Japan and the rise of the B.League (2:00)
  • What players in the NBL are Japanese teams wanting to sign (7:00)
  • How former NBL players are faring in Japan ie. Nick Kay, Shawn Long, Angus Brandt (9:00)
  • B.League salaries compared to NBL salaries (10:30)
  • The East Asian Super League and how Australia could be involved in the future (15:00)
  • Shawn's scouting role with the Australian Boomers (18:00)
  • Japan's national league seems to be benefitting from Australia's players and coaches, how can Australia take advantage of the Japanese basketball resources (20:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Simon Mitchell (SE Melb. Phoenix) on plans for this years roster and reflections on last season 0
Jun 9, 2022
The South East Melbourne Phoenix went through an up and down season in 2021-22 where after sitting among the top team teams in the league for the first half of the season saw a late-season slump cause them to miss the playoffs.
 
Head coach Simon Mitchell joins Dan Boyce on the podcast the discuss where the team fell short, what needs to change and plans for the roster for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
 
Topics include...
  • Missing the playoffs last season and Simon's views on where the team fell down (2:00)
  • Finishing the season with a win against the Wildcats (6:00)
  • What is the process the Phoenix follow to recruit talent in the off-season (12:00)
  • Plans for the Phoenix backcourt and what they need in point guard (17:00)
  • Waiting on Zhou Qi and his decision on where he plays this season (18:00)
  • Simon and his relationship with Mitch Creek and how it's developed over his three seasons with South East Melbourne (20:00)
  • Ryan Broekhoff and his health (22:00)
  • Signing a one year deal and whether it makes puts more pressure on him as a coach to win (24:00)
  • Key learnings from the past season (26:00)
  • What does he feel was the team's highlight of the season (32:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.
Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

New Illawarra Hawks coach Jacob Jackomas on free agency plans and his journey to becoming an NBL coach 0
May 19, 2022
Last week Jacob Jackomas was announced as the new Illawarra Hawks new coach, replacing his mentor Brian Goorjian.
 
With Goorjian announcing he will be coaching the Bay Area Dragons based in the Philippines Jackomas will take full control with the Hawks and look to take them one step further after their semi-final loss to the Sydney Kings.
 
Jacob Jackomas previously acted as Goorjian's assistant coach for more than a decade, his extensive coaching resume includes stints in the NBL, China and the Australian Boomers program over the past 6 years. 
 

Jackomas has also had a little taste of being the Hawks head coach after he covered Brian Goorjian's absence earlier this year when he came down with the coronavirus.

In his one-off game as an NBL head coach Jacomas impressed fans by delivering a win against reigning champions Melbourne United.

With his new position only being announced a week ago he joins Dan Boyce on the podcast to discuss his unorthodox journey to becoming an NBL head coach, his relationships with the Hawks players, and thoughts on what the team need to improve on heading into NBL Free Agency.

He also shares his experiences as part of the Australian Boomers bronze medal-winning team last year and moments he'll never forget.

Topics include...

  • The way he found out he would be replacing Brian Goorjian as the Illawarra Hawk's new coach (2:00)
  • How he went from cleaning aeroplanes and pizza shops to working the NBL sidelines (4:00)
  • Meeting Brian Goorjian for the first time and funny 'Goorj' stories (6:00)
  • Experiences coaching in China alongside Goorj (7:30)
  • His response to those who think he doesn't have enough experience to coach in the NBL (19:00)
  • His relationship with the Hawks players (22:30)
  • What do the Illawarra Hawks need to change or keep within their roster for 2022/23 (26:00)
  • NBL Next Stars, the positives and negatives and how the Hawks will utilise the program for this season (33:00)
  • What he will do differently to Brian Goorjian as the Hawks head coach (40:00)
  • His hardest moment along his coaching journey (45:00)
  • His experiences being part of the coaching staff for the Bronze Medal winning Boomers squad in Japan (49:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

FANS ONLY: Play-In Tournament, Good or Bad? NBL Awards Mistakes and the seasons underachievers and overachievers 0
Apr 28, 2022
This week Aussie Hoopla host Dan Boyce put out an open invitation to NBL fans to join him on a 'fans only' podcast to discuss the biggest stories in Aussie Hoops and get a fan's perspective of what's topical in Aussie Hoops right now. Fans joining Dan on the show this week are; - Matt Corcoran - Bullet's Fan

- Ashley Proud - 90s NBL aficionado

Topics covered include…
  • Is the NBL Play In Tournament a good idea? (2:00)
  • NBL Awards, who should have won? (15:00)
  • Nathan Sobey re-signs with Brisbane and Bullets fans groan, are they ungrateful or warranted (23:00)
  • Underachievers and Overachievers this season (35:00)
  • NBL Playoff Predictions (43:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

Follow @AussieHoopla on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@aussiehoopla.com

Ben Knight on playing with the Sydney Kings, the 2002 Boomers squad that lost to New Zealand and more 0
Apr 23, 2022
Ben Knight has been announced as the 2022 winner of the Sydney Kings’ Ring of Honour award. 
 
The fan and member-voted award will be presented officially at Sunday’s massive clash at Qudos Bank Arena against the Illawarra Hawks.  The Ring of Honour recognises players not just for their talents on the court, but for other reasons worthy of recognition consisting of:    
  • The most entertaining;   
  • The most courageous;   
  • A great teammate; or   
  • Those who gave back to our community.  

Ben joined Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss his NBL career which included playing for nine teams (an NBL record) during his 16 seasons in the league.

He also shares insights into the merger of the South East Melbourne Magic and North Melbourne Giants, helping to create a culture in Cairns, narrowly missing out on a championship in Townsville before returning to his hometown Kings to help them win a championship in 2005.

He talks about his decision to help the Singapore Slingers become the first Asian based team in the NBL and the obstacles it faced and discusses being a part of the Australian Boomers team which failed to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championships, losing to New Zealand at home for the first time in history.

Topics include...

  • On being recognised for his role in Sydney Kings history and entering the Kings "Inner Circle" (2:00)
  • Coming up through the Sydney Kings development program the Sydney Sky and making his debut for the Kings in 1997 (4:00)
  • Playing for Brian Goorjian at the South East Melbourne Magic in 1998 (8:00)
  • Is there truth to the narrative that Goorjian pushed his players too hard during the 1990s and by the Grand Final were always too 'gassed' to win the title (14:00)
  • The Magic and the Giants merge to create the Victoria Titans and Ben gets squeezed out of the roster and signs with Brisbane (17:00)
  • His fourth team in four seasons, playing for the Townsville Crocodiles in 1999/00 (20:00)
  • A breakout season in Cairns opens up opportunities with the Australian Boomers (27:00)
  • Being a part of the 2002 Australian Boomers squad which lost to New Zealand and failed to qualify for the FIBA World Championships (32:00)
  • Financial instability in Cairns leads him to move to Wollongong to play with the Hawks (40:00)
  • A homecoming for Knight as he returns to play for the Sydney Kings and helped win the team's third championship (42:00)
  • Falling short in the Kings run for a fourth championship in a row before falling short to Chris Anstey and the Melbourne Tigers (49:00)
  • The Singapore Slingers and the difficulties it faced being Australia's first Asian based team (54:00)
  • A near career-ending injury during his year with the Melbourne Tigers (103:00)
  • A return to the Sydney in 2010 to help re-launch the Kings (105:00)
  • Reaching his 400th NBL game in 2016 (109:00)
  • Coaching and life after the NBL (1:13:00)
  • The highlights and the biggest lessons learnt during Ben's NBL career (1:15:00)
Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

Listen to our previous interviews with the biggest stars in Australian Basketball, head to Aussiehoopla.com. Check out previous podcasts featuring; Australian Basketball Legends - Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, Leroy Loggins, David Andersen, Andrew Vlahov, Phil Smyth, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Damian Martin, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert

Current NBL Stars - Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Vic Law, Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Brad Newley, Dusty Hannahs

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver, Bruce Palmer

NBA Stars Past & Present - Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Stephen Jackson, Randy Livingston, Torrey Craig, Acie Earl, Josh Childress, Reggie Smith, Todd Lichti, Ryan Broekhoff, Doug Overton, Donald Sloan

The NBL's Greatest Imports - Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Leon Trimmingham, Scott Fisher, Lanard Copeland, Mike Mitchell, Darnell Mee, Isaac Burton, Adonis Jordan, Shawn Redhage, Willie Farley, Al Green, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Gary Ervin, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, Mal Speed, Paul Maley, Vince Crivelli, Jeremy Loeliger, Chuck Harmison, Jeff Van Groningen, Bob Turner

All that and much more.

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