Today’s episode is a banger for many reasons! We sit down with current Vancouver Bandits guard and former Division 1 star; Duane Notice.

Born from Jamaican roots and growing up in Toronto there was no option for Duane other than the game we all love. In his senior season of high school Duane made the decision to go to Prep school in Connecticut, opening up more opportunities and the chance to have Frank Martin visit his home. The Notice family loved what coach had to say and committed to the young South Carolina program hoping all would go well.

Needless to say, it did! Duane played many different roles at South Carolina with the pinnacle being a trip to the 2017 Final 4; the first and only time South Carolina has been.

The 2010 Jordan Brand Classic International MVP and 2016 SEC defensive player of the year also reflects on battling through injuries, the important role of Kyle Julius and others in his life, being on the West Coast and so much more! Duane is also a huge movie guy, hosting his own podcast @scenesdm, where him and his guy @mervm_22 discuss all things cinema!

You will love this episode and hear from a player who’s been in the trenches and still in it. We wish Duane the best going forward, that he recovers well and is prepared to help lead the Bandits next year! Tap in!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Duane Notice

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

This one! It could be the highlight dunks or the half-court shots, but either way, you know the name! A special episode as Mitch was a former teammate of Josh and they grew up playing Provincial team together and battling each other in high school.

Josh takes us back and shares a bunch about his young life that many might not know. Always a great athlete Josh talks about why hockey was his first love, how basketball became part of his life and how McNair High was the right school for him!

Josh has a great perspective on life and hoops, understanding the importance of a certain coach this podcast is familiar with, getting close to winning a national title (twice), hooping for the Harlem Crowns and all in between!

The dolphin park dunk champion now finds himself in Victoria, BC surrounded by a growing family and loved ones. We really appreciate Joshy coming on and sharing more of his story with us, a true BC legend you don’t want to miss this one!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Josh Masters

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

When do you get the chance to connect with someone who can call themselves a FIBA Basketball gold medal champion? Before this summer one of the best Canadian player/coach stories out there might have been unknown, however now all you need to do is a quick search and find out not only is Gordie an accomplished coach but a player as well.

Born and raised in Penticton, BC, we peel back the layers for coach and find out he’s a huge hockey fan! Unfortunately, Gordie grew a little too much and ended up at Idaho State Junior College with two goals in mind: playing Division 1 and playing for Team Canada. Gordie can check those both off as he transferred to Idaho for two years and suited up for Team Canada on multiple occasions, including the Olympics.

Mitch and Coach discuss the importance of mentorship, why he thinks Ken Shields is the greatest basketball mind Canada has ever seen, his thoughts on adversity and how it shapes us, plus the background of sports psychology and what it’s done for him and his teams over the years. We also get Gordie’s thoughts on the difference between European systems at the youth age Vs what happens here in Canada.

Of course, we had to break down a ton on what happened this summer, his relationship with Dennis Schroder, and why this past German team was so unified and together. This is a must-listen! Best of luck to Coach Herbert and Germany at the Olympics!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Gordie Herbert

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

You most likely know the name if you’ve been around the game, and if not then tune in and get to know more about the current Director of Basketball Operations for the @cebl; Mr. Joe Raso.

A true Canadian and gentleman who represents Hamilton to the fullest, we go back with coach and talk about his upbringing in an immigrant family and how the game we all love was drawn to him.

As stated, coach worked tirelessly in his backyard, Hamilton, growing as a coach becoming an assistant at McMaster early on and then going back to the high school game before becoming the head coach at Mac. Fast forward 18 years at Mac, multiple OUA titles, national championship appearances, All-Canadians coached and time with our national team, Joe finds himself in a unique role with the CEBL and is excited about this growing league's future!

Add in some personal reflection on his love for the high school game, why sometimes being the best player on your team is important, and having a son who’s still involved you have one heck of an episode. An opportunity to learn and hear from a great, tap into Ep 119!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Joe Raso

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Our guy Hammy! We get to sit down with the creative force behind Hopz Productions / Transition Game Inc. and Crunch Time Film Productions, Michael Hamilton. Michael is a guy from northern Alberta who made his way to the Lower Mainland and has had an impact on our local hoop scene for decades.

An accomplished filmmaker, Mitch and Michael go back in time to discuss his love for the game, competing in a small community plus the move to Edmonton for some College Hoops. Eventually, Michael found himself in the Vancouver area and has been thriving ever since!

Michael has joined an award-winning team to direct a highly anticipated film project on the iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. called I Am MLK Jr. Prior to that, he directed a doc series called Facing Schwarzenegger, about Arnold Schwarzenegger. In conjunction with Entertainment One Michael produced and directed the amazing story of Nash, a theatrical documentary, TV, and digital special on NBA All-Star Steve Nash.

Additionally, he has produced and directed branded content for Peter Guber’s Mandalay Sports Media, Vice, while developing projects for Lebron James distribution company Uninterrupted, and Steve Nash’s production company Meathawk.

Mitch and Hammy have a storied pass which provides lots of laughs and moments down memory lane! Truly thank him for being with us and know you will enjoy episode 118! Tap in!

#AHoopsJourney

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Michael Hamilton

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Episode 117 takes us all the way to New York with the 11th-ranked player in the United States, a Michigan basketball commit, and one of the best up-and-coming Canadian players we have in our country; Syla Swords!

Syla is getting ready for her senior season with @luhigirlsbasketball as her squad is the pre-season #1 team in the entire United States! Syla is beyond her years in maturity and understanding who she is, she has lofty goals, a desire to improve and a unique family dynamic to lean on in hard times.

Mitch and Syla discuss the tough decision to leave Ontario and move to the States, why Michigan was the place for her, her crazy double Bronze medal in July, and what her long-term goals are with Team Canada! We thank Syla for being with us and wish her all the best this season! Any young hooper out there needs to check this episode out, you will hear and learn what it takes to be a next-level player! Tap in!

#AHoopsJourney

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Syla Swords

Alex Adams

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Special Episode!

Rest in Peace to Greg Francis who passed away on April 2nd, 2023. Greg was an integral part of the 2000 team and a great person and teammate

From 2000 to now! Well, WE DID IT! @canadabasketball has qualified on the men’s side for the first time since the 2000 Olympics in Australia! As a show we thought it would be fun to revisit those memories with a few of the ones that did it- Jay Triano, Andrew Mavis, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch, Shawn Swords, Jonny Lee and Peter Guarasci!

The fellas go back in time and think about their own experience combined with the emotions they felt when realizing Canada had made the Olympics for 2024! Some great insight, thoughts and Canadian pride in this episode plus a guest appearance from a young up-and-coming journalist and hoop head Alex Adams! Alex was on the sidelines in Jakarta reporting on the FIBAWC games and bringing great insight through his podcasts with Raptors Republic.

It goes without saying that if you love basketball in our Country you need to check this one out! Congratulations to every single player, coach, manager, staff, media, parent, etc who had some part in this journey! 23 years gone in a flash and there’s only more to come! Episode 116 is live!!!!!

#AHoopsJourney

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Jay Triano, Andrew Mavis, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch, Shawn Swords, Jonny Lee and Peter Guarasci

Alex Adams

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Our latest episode was a unique one in terms of talking with a player from BC who hardly played in BC in his younger years. Across the span of this show, there are some original experiences and takeaways for our listeners as James reflects on an early leap to basketball in the United States. After returning from the AAU / Prep system James talks about his next moves as well as the why and how he ended up committing to Division 1 Lehigh University, then transferring to Boston College in the middle of Covid.

James has some great thoughts on the system here in BC, why kids need mentorship and guidance, and how he’s trying to do his best to impact the youth in BC and Canada. As he currently recovers from a knee injury he is anticipating getting back on the court and playing pro overseas to continue what is sure to be a successful career. Whether it’s pro ball or representing the Czech National team you can guarantee hard work and desire on the court, much like this episode! We wish James all the best and know you need to check this one out!

#AHoopsJourney

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Podcast Guest:

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Episode 114 has us sitting down with the Wesmen legend himself; Dave Crook. Coach Crook (And current Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg) has been around the game a long time and worked to develop many programs across Canada. Dave’s career starts early with a young Michael Grange (Episode 111), all the way to Lethbridge under unique circumstances.

Dave was not only a U Sport coach, he worked with Canada Basketball from 1996-2005 all while creating some great memories and stories that he shared with us. When Dave talks you can hear what those National team years meant to him, the photo in this profile is connected to a story he tells on the episode!

Between enjoy lake life in the summer and getting the Wesmen athletic programs ready, Dave reflects on his life and what’s left for him in his future. We really thank Dave for being with us, if you have come across this man you most likely left with a smile. Episode 114 is a great one, enjoy!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Podcast Guest:

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants

Episode 113!! We hope you are all soaking up the last days of summer!

This is one for the ages. Jamie is a young man who has worked hard and now finds himself as an assistant with TCU men's basketball. Jamie’s story goes back to growing up in Toronto and playing lots of hoops, however not realizing what it took to go play Division 1 made for an interesting path.

A wild story about Hurricane Katrina, playing for and working with Buzz Williams, mentoring Jimmy Butler and our former guest Junior Cadougan- this episode really has it all!!

This is one you might have to play twice, it was a pleasure to chat with Jamie and hear his story. As he says at the end of the episode we need to keep sharing and letting people know the path that was built so we thank him for being with us! Episode 113 is a must!

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Podcast Guest:

Aaron Mitchell - Host

Sponsors:

Parkside Brewery

ATO Basketball Merchants