Episode 188: Florida Prep to March Madness and the CEBL — Transfers, Breakthrough Seasons, and the Rise of Josh Omojafo 

Episode 188 brings you one of the more slept-on stories; a guy who has quietly gone about his business carving out a great career and has pretty much just getting started,  Josh Omojafo!

The Hamilton native found football and basketball to be his things, but eventually he made the choice to stick with hoops, and his journey is a good one. 

After leaving Hamilton to go play high school in Florida he came back for his senior year and signed with D2 Gannon University. After a solid year he then transferred to Robert Morris where his team earned a tournament spot and almost upset Alabama. In 2025-26 he transferred to USF for 2025-26, where he started 32 of 34 games, averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Now playing in the CEBL for Brampton this young man is on the rise! Tap in!

Josh Omojafo - Guest

https://www.instagram.com/josh.omoo/

https://www.cebl.ca/canadian-guard-omojafo-signs-with-brampton-honey-badgers

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

Happy Summer to all our listeners! We hope the next two months create memories and you get the chance to relax! We kick off July with Mitch’s former teammate and roommate on the road, Winnipeg Wesmen Head Coach and current Winnipeg Sea Bears Head Coach AND General Manager Mike Raimbault!!

Mike’s story is a unique one; a Brandon native who grew up watching the Bobcats from a young age, eventually trying to get in off-season runs with the actual team, and cracking a roster spot…..which happened!  A story of adversity and hard work through the game, grinding as a coach and carving out a solid career.

After hoops was done, Mike jumped right into coaching, first alongside Barnaby Craddock at BU, and then onto UNBC where he developed a national championship team and was CCAA Coach of the year. 

Mike was settled in at UNBC but it was a phone call and push from mentor Dave Crook that had him apply for the Wesmen job. Fast forward 17 years and Coach is still at it! What a fun episode to go back and catch up on! Tap in!

Mike Raimbault - Guest

https://wesmen.ca/staff-directory/mike-raimbault/8

https://www.seabears.ca/bio--mike-raimbault

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-raimbault-a186b3251/

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

This episode is all about a young up-and-coming hooper on the women’s side, but someone who has been with our National teams since she was 17, Merissah Russell!

What a fun episode, the energy Merissah brings to this one is so good, and you can see why she is a do-it-all type on the court! 

Once basketball became the focus (and not volleyball like her big sister), Merissah pursued the next level and traveled North America to see the best. In the end, she committed early to the Louisville Cardinals program, a storied program that made two Elite 8’s and one final four! That, plus national team experience with two World Cups (U17 and U19), is why it feels like Merissah has been around so long!

The Ottawa native found herself on a recent new adventure, hoopin' up in the 3x3 with our legendary Women’s team! This episode has it all, don’t forget to tap in!

Merissah Russell  - Guest

https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/merissah-russell

https://www.instagram.com/mruss15

https://www.linkedin.com/in/merissah-russell-9b52b2309

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

Today we go back with a guy who used to coach summer camp with Mitch, current pro player in Hong Kong coming off a championship run, one of Kits finest, Tommy Nixon! 

Mitch and Tommy have a bit of a story about how they met each other, and they enjoy reminiscing on those times. Tommy recently just completed a playoff run with is SCAA pro team, a club that has been around for over 100 years. After an outstanding high school career where lots of growth and development took place, under the guidance of people like Jeff Gourley, Randy Coutts and Mel Davis. 

Tommy was a self admitted slow starter, and shy, but once he got the love for the game he continued to expose himself to the best players and levels, training alongside the likes of Kelly Olynyk and more. A decision to attend UBC, a solid five year career and now being in HK for ten years are what make this story great! Best to Tommy and his family, as usual don't forget to tap in!

Tommy Nixon - Guest

https://www.instagram.com/tommynixon7

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-nixon-03a44bb5

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

From Burnaby to overseas, we chop it up with former Byrne Creek Bulldog, U Sport hooper at Laurier and now pro baller Majok Gum!

Majok has a great story, early on learning the game at the YMCA in Surrey and then moving to Burnaby and playing for the Bulldogs, his career took off. After 3 great high school years with back-to-back final 4s and one finals appearance, Majok decided to attend Laurier University. After a solid 5-year career, he has recently finished his second season overseas and is now with the Vancouver Bandits. 

The future is bright! Tap in

Majok Gum - Guest

https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/majok-gum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/majok-gum-b8b225174/

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

Episode 183! Today we are celebrating 6 YEARS of podcasting, thank you to each of our listeners, guests and subscribers! 

No better way to celebrate than having a young up and coming coach with an amazing playing resume, Tevonn Walker.  Tevonn comes out of Quebec and we all know the lineage and hoopers that have been developed out of that area. After a solid year at CCAA Vanier College, he made the decision to attend Valparaiso!

During his time there Tevonn won both offensive and defensive awards, he led his team in scoring and ended in the top 15 all-time at Valpo. From there a short stint overseas and in the CEBL were next, but Tevonn knew when it was time to walk away. 

The journey continues on a young coaching path and Tevonn gives great reflection on what he’s been through and how he’s still learning. After coaching AAU and Division 1 he is now with the Utah Jazz and growing each day. The future is bright for this young man and we are thrilled to be sharing his story today! 

Tap in!

Tevonn Walker - Guest

https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sea-bears-assistant-coach-tevonn-walker-departs-for-nba-opportunity-team-welcomes-jerry-williams-to-coaching-staff/n-6243723

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

From Courtenay to California, Langley and now Haida Gwaii! Today we have the story of a guy Mitch had the chance to coach on the BC U17 team… wayyy back, and now is a coaching colleague, Mr. Cal Westbrook.

Cal’s love for competition and the game was evident early, and a few coaching mentors in his area on Vancouver Island helped nurture his basketball career and ability to compete. Some early blooming, making the Provincial Team as an underager, and the ability to score the ball made for a great high school career! 

Once his time at GP Vanier Secondary came to an end, Cal started to explore some different options, deciding on heading to a D2 school in California, Cal State Stanislaus. After a frustrating Sophomore year, Cal felt like maybe it was time for some change, and he came back to play for the Trinity Western Spartans.  It wasn’t a difficult decision as Cal knew players like Tyrell Mara (Portland State) and Jacob Doerksen (UVic) were heading home. A great three-year run and a national title appearance were the topping of the cake for Cal.

In the end, Cal finished his degree and now finds himself coaching and in administration in Hadai Gwaii. This part of the story is special and truly where all the good stuff happens. We appreciate Cal taking the time to be with us, and know there will be all sorts of takeaways in this one!

Tap in!

Cal Westbrook - Guest

https://varsityletters.ca/calvin-westbrook-how-the-record-setting-g-p-vanier-twu-guard-found-his-coaching-paradise-amidst-the-remote-splendour-of-haida-gwaii/

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

If you know, you KNOW! Collin Charles is one of the most famous players to ever come out of the Toronto area, and for good reason! Collin and his high school teammate Jamaal Magloire broke down the doors in good fashion for Canadians, and carved out great paths for themselves

Growing up in the Regent Park area with his Grandma, Collin loved hockey as a young person but quickly realized the cost that came with the sport, and decided to make a shift. He started hooping and couldn’t wait to get to Eastern Commerce and put his talents on display. 

During those high school years it was a trip down to ABCD camp where it all changed for Collin. Even though he didn’t think he played well the interest started to come in and after some other trips in the states he gained the attention he so deserved! St. John’s was the choice and man did he get to play on some squads with some teammates. Felipe Lopez, Ron Artest, Zendon Hamilton, Erick Barkley and so many more. 

Collin is now an educator back in Toronto and involved in coaching with his Toronto Gauchos and Little Hoopers programs. A story that can’t be missed, make sure you tap in!

Collin Charles - Guest

https://tmubold.ca/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/collin-charles/13

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

What a story we have today, a young hooper beyond his years and growing everyday, Jacob  Holt. The Vancouver College grad is currently in Germany after a great season in the NBL with the Brisbane Bullets! 

After high school Jacob decided to attend Santa Clara and after two seasons there he transferred to Sacramento State where he averaged 17ppg and 6rpg in his senior year! Turning pro was the next step but Jacob had to have hip surgery, a nerve wracking experience but all went well and this young man finds himself trending in the right direction, especially after his recent call up to the Australian Senior National Team! Tap in!

Jacob Holt - Guest

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Holt_(basketball)

https://www.instagram.com/jacobbholt

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/

What a journey we have to share today! Nathan Johnson has been on the coaching grind for some time now, and is only really just getting started! 

After the former U Sport player walked away from playing, his first stop was an assistant coaching role at Lakehead with former guest Scott Morrison and from there it took off! 

Experiences in Asia, Montverde, Orangeville, a grad assistant role under legendary Penny Hardaway and now an assistant at Vermont! This episode has so much to it, be sure to tap in!

Nathan Johnson - Guest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-johnson-85623789

https://uvmathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/nathan-johnson/3085

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/