3on3 Hoops Pod

What actually makes a basketball player improve?

Not just drills.
Not just talent.
And definitely not just playing more games.

In this episode, we were going back and forth trying to pick a topic…
so we ended up having a real conversation about all of it.

We break down:

Why some players get better every year… and others stay the same
The truth about pickup vs organized basketball
Players we love watching—and what young players actually miss
The advice we wish we had as players

This isn’t theory.

It’s based on real experience—coaching, playing, and being in the gym.

If you’re a coach, player, or parent trying to understand what actually leads to development…this is one of those episodes you’ll want to come back to.

Because at the end of the day…

👉 players don’t just need more coaching
👉 they need better reps, better habits, and better environments


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What does it actually take to compete in 3x3 basketball at the highest level? In this episode, we sit down with Caden Pierce — Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, USA Men's 3x3 National Team member, and MVP of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup — where he helped lead Team USA to gold.
Caden breaks down the steep learning curve of transitioning from high-level 5-on-5 into FIBA 3x3, what actually gets exposed on the 3x3 floor, and how the Princeton system prepared him better than he ever expected. We get into the physicality, the 12-second shot clock, why IQ matters more than skill, and what separates elite 3x3 players from everyone else.

We also talk about:

- Why 3x3 is NOT what Americans think it is
- The biggest mistakes players make on the 3x3 court
- His MVP performance at the Champions Cup and the moment things clicked
- The top teams in the world right now (Netherlands, Serbia, and beyond)
- Why the 2028 LA Olympics could be a turning point for 3x3 in the U.S.
- Whether Wembanyama would be a great 3x3 player 👀

Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is a masterclass on what real player development looks like through the lens of 3x3.

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This might be the future of basketball.

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Kyle Montgomery — aka "The Voice" of 3x3 basketball and Olympic commentator — to break down what 3x3 really is… and why it’s growing so fast around the world.

If you’ve seen clips but never fully understood it, this episode will change how you look at the game.

We cover:
• What people get wrong about 3x3 basketball
• Why it’s NOT just pickup basketball
• The biggest differences between 3x3 and 5v5
• What makes a great 3x3 player
• Why even NBA players struggle when they first play
• Where the game is heading globally

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After 50 episodes of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we took a step back to break down what actually matters in player development.

From overcoaching… to game reps… to the real difference between 3on3 and 5on5 — this episode is a reflection on everything we’ve learned from coaches, players, and real experience.

If you’re a coach, parent, or player trying to develop the right way… this is one you need.

In this episode, we cover:
 • The #1 mistake most coaches make (and don’t realize)
 • Why reps matter more than drills
 • 3on3 vs 5on5 (what each actually teaches)
 • What separates players who “get it”
 • How to build real basketball IQ
 • The future of basketball (and why it might concern you)


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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with USA Basketball 3x3 National Team player Mitchell Hahn to talk about what it’s really like playing 3x3 at the highest level.

From competing on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour to winning gold medals with Team USA, Mitchell shares what makes 3x3 basketball different — and why more players and coaches are starting to pay attention.

We cover:
• The biggest differences between 3x3 and 5-on-5
• Why 3x3 forces players to think faster
• The importance of team chemistry
• What separates elite 3x3 players
• How 3x3 is growing globally
• The future of 3x3 basketball in the U.S.

If you're a coach, parent, or player focused on development, this episode will change how you see the game.

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3x3 basketball is gaining serious momentum — and it’s not just us saying it anymore.

After two powerful interviews with Martin Dyan (Rise 3x3 UK) and Coach Ras Vanderloo (USA Basketball), we started noticing something: coaches around the world are all saying the same thing… 3x3 basketball is becoming a real movement.

In this episode, we break down the biggest takeaways from those conversations and talk about why more coaches are embracing 3x3 as a powerful tool for player development.

We discuss:
• Why 3x3 forces players to think and make decisions faster
• How the format builds basketball IQ, creativity, and problem solving
• The growing global popularity of 3x3 basketball
• Why USA Basketball’s new 3X initiative could be a turning point
• How coaches can start using 3x3 in their own practices and programs

From grassroots leagues to international tournaments, it’s becoming clear that 3x3 is more than just a practice format — it’s shaping the future of basketball.

If you’re a coach, parent, or player who cares about development, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Ras Vanderloo, longtime head coach at Sioux City East High School, USA Basketball coach, and one of the most respected voices in high school basketball.

Coach Vanderloo has:

- Over 300 wins as a head coach (as of February 2026)
- Multiple state tournament appearances
- Named the State of Iowa Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2023.
- USA Basketball: Since 2019, he has served as a coach for the USA Men's
Junior National Team minicamps and has been a featured speaker at various USA Basketball Coach Academies.
- Assistant coach for the Men’s 3x3 Nation’s League

But in this conversation, we focus on something that might surprise some traditional coaches…

Why 3x3 basketball is one of the most powerful development tools available today.

We talk about:

- How Coach Ras’ view of player development has evolved over time

- What he first noticed when he saw players compete in 3x3

- What 3x3 teaches that 5-on-5 often doesn’t (or doesn’t teach as quickly)

- How 3x3 forces decision-making and problem-solving

- Where middle school and JV coaches can implement 3x3 in practice

- Common misconceptions coaches have about 3x3

- Why adaptability and lifelong learning matter more than ever

If you’re a middle school, JV, or varsity coach looking to develop smarter, tougher, more adaptable players — this episode is for you.

We’re building a community of coaches who care about development, basketball IQ, and creating better learning environments through 3on3 Hoops Nation.

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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we take the conversation international.

We’re joined by Martin Dyan, founder and CEO of Rise 3x3 in the UK — a year-round 3x3 basketball organization dedicated to growing the game from grassroots to elite.

Martin shares:

- How 3x3 first captured him
- The emotional story behind his first tournament
- Why he believes 3x3 is more than just a format
- The challenges of building a movement from scratch
- How 3x3 can create opportunities for players, coaches, officials, and communities

This isn’t a USA vs UK conversation.

It’s about vision.
It’s about passion.
It’s about building something meaningful around the game we love.

If you care about the future of basketball — this one’s for you.

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Rise 3x3
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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Marcus Ludwig, head assistant coach for the boys varsity program at Baldwinsville High School in Syracuse, NY, for an honest, coach-to-coach conversation about growth, perspective, and player development.

This episode is for middle school, JV, and varsity coaches — especially those early in their coaching journey who are still figuring things out.

We talk about:

- What young coaches often misunderstand early on
- Why coaching is more than wins, losses, and the scoreboard
- The difference between being a head coach and an assistant coach
- How pressure, ego, and expectations change over time
- When to coach, when to stay quiet, and how players actually learn
- How small-sided play and 3on3 basketball can support long-term development

This isn’t about systems or schemes.
It’s about experience, growth, and learning how to coach the right way.

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Roberts and Coach J
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Homeschool 3x3 basketball, skills clinics, and a different approach to player development.

In this episode, Kevin and Coach J talk through what they’re building with each one of their 3on3 basketball programs and the 3on3 Hoops Nation — including homeschool 3x3 play labs, skills clinics, and why 3v3 continues to be one of the best teachers of the game.

This is a wide-open conversation about:
• Using 3v3 to develop confidence and decision-making
• Creating real opportunities for middle school players
• Why fundamentals and application matter more than flashy moves
• Building sustainable pathways through skills clinics and small-sided games
• What 3on3 Hoops Nation is becoming — and how coaches and parents can be part of it

This episode isn’t about one drill or one system.
It’s about building basketball the right way.

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Inside the community you’ll find practice ideas, resources, and ongoing conversations for coaches and parents who care about development over hype.

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast as we continue Season 3 with more conversations, breakdowns, and interviews.

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