Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast

Whyalla born and bred Chris Blakemore began training with the Adelaide 36ers in 1990 before spending two seasons at the Australian Institute of Sport and signing a rookie contract with the team in 1993. He played three seasons with the 36ers (1993-1995), a period where the team saw a young core of Blakemore, Brett Maher, Scott Ninnis and Brett Wheeler develop into a playing group that ushered in a new era of success in Adelaide.

Blakemore would win Rookie of the Year in his first season and the league's Most Improved Player in his second season.

This early 1990s also saw highly regarded college coach Mike Dunlap hire to coach the team, an era renown for a lot of wins on the court and issues off the court.

Topics include...

• Early beginnings in Whyalla, SA (2:00)
• The college football scholarship that could have been (5:00)
• Choosing between the AIS, NBL and NCAA as a pathway to becoming a professional (7:00)
• His rookie of the year season in 1993 (11:00)
• Adelaide 36ers 1994 run to the NBL Grand Final (15:00)
• The Mike Dunlap era in Adelaide (17:00)
• A re-built 36ers squad for the 1995 season falls short (25:00)
• The elbow to Martin Cattalini left 15 stitches, got him suspended from the playoffs and saw the 36ers eliminated from the playoffs (30:00)
• Leaving Adelaide to play with the Cannons in 1996 (32:00)
• Blakemore's attempted comeback in 1998 with the Brisbane Bullets which ultimately didn't pan out (38:00)
• How he feels about his decision to retire looking back at it (40:30)
• The mental hurdles he faced and biggest challenges (42:00)
• Rob Rose and Mike Dunlap, why didn't these two see eye to eye? (51:00)
• The highlights of his career (53:00)

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 [email protected]

Perth young gun Luke Travers has gone from development player to solid contributor to potential NBA lottery pick in the past three years.

Stepping up his game, perimeter shooting and strength each season to now be a major part of the Wildcat's success, Luke joins Dan Boyce on the podcast to discuss his decision to play in the NBL over college, the people within the Perth Wildcats organisation helping him prepare for the NBA draft and lessons learnt along the way.

Topics include...

• Snapping the Wildcats three-game losing streak with a win over Tasmania (1:00)
• How the Perth Wildcats players view the JackJumpers roster who many fans refer to as Perth 2.0 (2:30)
• Growing up in Rockingham and watching the Wildcats as a junior (3:30)
• At what point as a junior did he feel he could play as a professional (6:00)
• What led to him deciding he would attempt to reach the NBA via the NBL instead of college (7:30)
• His first season with the Wildcats and takeaways from his "learning" year (8:30)
• Winning an NBL championship in 2020 under bizarre circumstances due to COVID (13:00)
• The differences playing for under Scott Morrison compared to Trevor Gleeson (16:00)
• Mock Drafts and draft rankings how much attention does he give those types of things? (19:30)
• Plans on improving his stock prior to the NBA draft (20:30)
• Which players does Luke get along with the most off the court (21:30)
• Players who have helped Luke with his development along the way (22:30)
• What's the go with the haircut? (24:30)
• His relationship with his Mum and Dad (26:00)

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 [email protected]

This episode host Dan Boyce put out an open invitation to NBL fans to join him on a 'fans only' episode of Aussie Hoopla to discuss the biggest stories in Aussie Hoops and provide a fan's perspective for fans to listen to.

Fans joining Dan on the show this week are;

- Matt Corcoran - Bullet's Fan

- Brendan Boyd (1/3 of the Basketball Blokes Podcast)

- Taylor Cowper - Wildcats Fan

Topics covered include…

• The NBA All-Star Weekend and its NBL flavour this year (2:00)
• NBL Next Stars is it sustainable? (16:00)
• Thoughts on the NBL's highest-selling jerseys (21:00)
• The exposure gained from Asian players Zhou Qi, Liu Chuanxing and Kai Sotto can the NBL maintain the interest and the Asian pipeline next season (28:00)
• NBL crowd numbers... the good and the bad (33:00)
• What we like and what we don't like about the Tasmania JackJumpers (40:00)
• Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns... which team is in the most trouble of missing the playoffs? (48:00)
• The passing of Jack Bendat and his legacy and impact on the NBL (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 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 [email protected]

Xavier Cooks is in his third season with the Sydney Kings but due to injuries has played only 26 games over his NBL career, averaging 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game since entering the league in 2019.

This season, with a full bill of health, Cooks is having a career-best season, averaging 13 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while leading Sydney to a top-five record thus far.

He joins Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce to talk about the teams big win over the Perth Wildcats this week, his decision to play college basketball and overseas by debuting in the NBL, his experiences with the Australian Boomers and plenty more.

He also takes us through the ups and downs he faced dealing with his injuries which kept him out of the Australian Boomers in 2019 and has impacted his ability to play at his best in the NBL.

Topics include...

• The Kings win over the Wildcats and the altercation between Matt Hodgson and Dejan Vasiljevic (2:00)
• How injuries have impacted his past seasons and how being fully healthy has led him to his best NBL season so far (4:00)
• Thoughts on being an under the radar talent until making the Australian Boomers squad in 2019 (5:30)
• His decision to play college basketball and why Winthorp University was the best choice for him (6:30)
• NBA opportunities with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns (9:00)
• Playing overseas in Germany and France instead of the NBL for his first professional season (10:30)
• Making the Australian Boomers World Cup squad in 2019 but missing out due to injury and how it impacted him (14:00)
• Learning from coaches Will Weaver, Adam Forde and Chase Buford (19:00)
• His views on the Kings decision to forfeit the remaining games of the 2020 NBL Finals due to COVID (20:00)
• Being a part of the Boomers squad who defeated the USA in the Olympic warm-up games (22:00)
• The highlights and hurdles from Xaviers career so far (24:00)

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 [email protected]

Mike Kelly is currently the associate coach of the Perth Wildcats and recently was named as part of the coaching staff for the Australian Boomers FIBA World Cup qualifying team.

He joins Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce to talk about how the Boomers are preparing for the first round of qualifying games and how the Perth Wildcats are faring during a season heavily impacted by COVID-19.

He also takes us through the ups and downs he faced as head coach of the Cairns Taipans from 2018-2021 and how it developed him as a coach.

Topics include...

• Thoughts on the Perth Wildcats loss to the Sydney Kings this weekend (2:00)
• How do the Perth Wildcats split responsibilities among the coaching staff (5:00)
• Being named as an assistant coach for the Australian Boomers (7:00)
• How the Boomers coaching staff have been recruiting players for the FIBA qualifiers in February with most NBL players unavailable (9:00)
• How COVID-19 is making it extremely difficult to count players (14:00)
• The ups and downs of Mike's three-year stint as head coach of the Cairns Taipans (17:00)
• The mental hurdles the Taipans faced in 2020-21 during the COVID impacted season (19:00)
• Did the NBL's move from three imports to two help or hinder the Taipans (21:00)
• The NBL Next Stars program, how does a coach juggle a team trying to make the playoffs with a young player trying to make the NBA (24:00)
• Finding out he wouldn't be returning to the Taipans mid-season and the mental toll it took on him (26:00)
• Taking the job as associate coach at the Perth Wildcats and how it came about (29:00)
• How does Perth as an organisation compare to Cairns and Melbourne (30:00)
• The player's Mike has enjoyed working with the most since arriving in Perth (33:00)
• The return of Majok Majok (35:00)
• The biggest learnings Mike took away from his time with the Taipans (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, 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 [email protected]

Jayson Wells played three seasons in the NBL (2001-2003) with the Canberra Cannons and Cairns Taipans before embarking on a professional basketball journey that saw him play internationally for 13 years. His playing career saw him spend time in Argentina, Dubai, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine.

Playing under Cal Bruton at Canberra he teamed with Tonny Jensen, David Patrick, David Simmons, Troy Pilon and although the team only won three games that season, he shares tales of the fun they had on and off the court.

Replacing import Matt Garrison he joined the Cairns Taipans for two seasons and helped them become must-see tickets in Queensland's upper north.

He joins Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce to talk about how his time in Australia shaped his career, how he transitioned into an author, coach and motivational speaker as well as working alongside NBA stars like Lebron James, Kevin Durrant and Chris Paul.

Topics include...

• Since retiring from basketball in 2011 Wells has worked as a motivational speaker and coach alongside NBA stars like Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and more (2:00)
• What is the Jayson Wells experience (6:30)
• Growing up in Cleveland Ohio and his decision to play at Indiana State University (13:00)
• The child inside all of us and how it influences who we are (15:00)
• Making the most of the opportunities presented in college and NBA interest after graduation (19:00)
• Being a witness to Ray Allen's shooting regime and how it taught Wells a valuable lesson (25:00)
• Playing as an import overseas (28:00)
• Arriving in Australia and playing for the Canberra Cannons (32:30)
• Playing with the Cairns Taipans (34:00)
• Reaching his peak as a pro basketball player (39:30)
• The biggest lessons learned during his 13-year pro career (41:30)
• The highlight of his time as a player (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 [email protected]

Young Filipino talent Kai Sotto has signed a multi-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers this season and after missing the teams first four games made his NBL debut against the Cairns Taipans this week.

The 18-year-old played 10 minutes and filled the box score, showing his versatility with 1 point, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.

Sotto is already an emerging figure within the Philippine national team program and an NBA draft prospect decision and he joined Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce to discuss getting back onto the court, his decision to develop his game in Australia and how he is settling with the 36ers.

Topics include...

• His self analysis on his first game in the NBL (2:00)
• Kai talks about his father Ervin sotto who was a Filipino basketball player and how he has helped guide his basketball journey so far (4:00)
• Growing up in Las Piñas, Manila the capital city of the Philippines (5:00)
• Thoughts on the Pinoy fans and their expectations (7:00)
• Why he decided not to go play college basketball (11:00)
• On playing for the Phillipino National team (13:30)
• The benefits of playing alongside Daniel Johnson, Cam Bairstow and Isaac Humphries (15:00)
• What areas of his game Kai thinks he needs to work on the most (16:00)
• What NBA and Philipino players Kai idolised growing up (18:00)
• Kai's role with the 36ers this season (21:00)
• The biggest hurdles Kai has faced in his career so far (27:00)

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 [email protected]

Guy Molloy has called it quits on coaching the Melbourne Boomers WNBL team after almost a decade with the club. Molloy will move to New Zealand to take on a dual role which includes coaching the New Zealand Tall Ferns (National Women's team) and coach the Wellington Saints in the NZNBL.

Molloy has spent 32 years coaching at a national level in Australia which included stints with The Australia Women's national team, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne in the WNBL and for the men spent time in the NBL coaching both the Cairns Taipans and South Dragons.

It's fair to say no other coach has the experience Molloy has at coaching both sexes at a national level and he joins the podcast to chat with Dan Boyce on the differences between coaching men and women and the lessons he's learnt from coaching in our national leagues.

Molloy also coached Ben Simmons and Dante Exum as head coach of the men's national under-17 side, the Emus.

Topics include...

• Guy on his decision to leave the Melbourne Boomers WNBL and coach in New Zealand (2:00)
• Thoughts on the growth and development of the WNBL over the last 9 years (6:00)
• How the Boomers players feel about Molloy leaving at the end of the year (7:30)
• Guy Molloy outlines his new role in New Zealand which includes coaching the Women's National Team and the Wellington Saints in the NZNBL (9:00)
• Guy takes us through his 32 year coaching journey that started with coaching the Canberra Capitals (WNBL), Canberra Cannons (NBL) and Canberra Gunners at only 23 years of age (13:30)
• Guy on his experiences coaching the Australian Opals in the early 90s and memories of Oz94 - FIBA Women's World Championships held in Australia (18:00)
• Coaching the Perth Breakers in the WNBL (24:00)
• Michelle Timms, the trailblazer, and what she did to put Australian Basketball on the map (26:00)
• Switching from the WNBL to the NBL to coach the Cairns Taipans in 2001 (31:00)
• Remembering the Cairns Taipans from the early 2000's (38:00)
• The hard work involved in building a winning culture with the Taipans program and making the playoffs for the first time in 2004 (41:00)
• Winning a championship as part of the South Dragons in 2009 (46:30)
• The demise of the South Dragons (50:00)
• Coaching Ben Simmons and Dante Exum on the Australian junior team (56:30)
• Returning to the WNBL and being a part of the Melbourne Boomers in 2013 (101:30)
• Recruiting or coaching what's more difficult? (105:00)
• The differences between coaching Men and Women (107:00)
• The toughest lessons Guy faced over his coaching journey so far (112:00)
• The highlight of his coaching career so far (1:14:00)

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 [email protected]

Adam Ballinger played twelve seasons in the NBL, spending time with the Victoria Giants, Wollongong Hawks, Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne Tigers. Over his career, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 340 NBL games.

Prior to the NBL he played college basketball with Michigan State where he won a national championship alongside NBA stars Jason Richardson, Mateen Cleaves and future NBL stars Mike Chappell and Dave Thomas.

Topics include...

• Ballinger on making a living post-basketball as an artist/cartoonist (2:00)
• Growing up in Indiana and gaining a scholarship to Michigan State University (7:00)
• Winning the 2000 NCAA National Championship alongside Mateen Cleaves, Jason Richardson and future NBL stars Mike Chappelle and Dave Thomas (11:00)
• The NBL connection that exists within that team (17:00)
• That game where Michigan State University faced the Canberra Cannons featuring Magic Johnson (19:00)
• Finding his way to Australia and his debut season with the Victoria Giants (21:00)
• Moving to the Wollongong Hawks for his second season in the NBL (25:00)
• Moving to Adelaide to play with the 36ers (27:00)
• Becoming an Australian citizen and a "local" player in 2009 (31:00)
• An ankle injury limits what Adam can deliver to NBL teams after 2011 (35:00)
• Returning to Melbourne to play with the Tigers (37:00)
• His difficult exit from the Tigers (38:00)
• Thoughts on the coaches he experienced during his career and what he took from them for his own coaching strategies (40:30)
• The rivalry between Adam Ballinger and Shawn Redhage (43:30)
• Players Adam loved to face off against the most (44:30)
• The biggest challenges Adam faced during his NBL career (46:30)
• The highlight from his 10 years in the NBL (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 [email protected]

Isaac Burton played 96 games in the NBL over four seasons with both the Sydney Kings and the Newcastle Falcons. A defensive ball hawk who excited the crowd with flashy dunks was a fan favourite in Sydney and the NBL during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Burton became embroiled in a point-shaving scandal during his time playing basketball (and baseball) at Arizona State University, a moment in history that has recently been made into a Netflix documentary called "Bad Sports".

The documentary focuses primarily on the players at the centre of the ASU scandal, namely Stevin "Hedake" Smith and Burton, but it also zooms out to lay bare the real villain in their story: the NCAA, which doled out stipends so insufficient that athletes came to see point-shaving as their only means of survival.

Burton re-joins Aussie Hoopla to go into further detail on the point-shaving incident, discuss his involvement in the crimes and interactions with the FBI and how it impacted him.

He also discusses his time playing basketball in Australia and Cyprus with Dan, remembering some of the highlights and lowlights from his career.

Topics include...

• The Netflix documentary "Bad Sports" and why Isaac decided to be a part of it (2:00)
• Burton's relationship today with Stevin "Hedake" Smith (5:30)
• Why Isaac chose to play basketball instead of baseball despite being drafted to the MLB three times (8:00)
• Growing up in Los Angeles in the 80s and 90s and the dangers he faced growing up (11:00)
• His college experience playing baseball and basketball at both East Los Angeles Community College and Arizona State (14:30)
• Arriving at Arizona State, meeting Stevin Smith and how they spent their time on campus (16:30)
• How the investigation began and his interactions with the FBI (19:00)
• Graduating college and signing with the Sydney Kings (23:00)
• The reasons Isaac loved living in Sydney (28:00)
• His first day at training with the Sydney Kings and who he spent time with on the team (30:00)
• Facing off against Andrew Gaze, Darryl McDonald, Ricky Grace and other NBL legends (35:00)
• Playing against Allen Iverson (39:00)
• Shane Heal heads to the NBA and his second season with the Kings (40:00)
• Matt Nielsen's emergence into an NBL star (46:00)
• An NBA try-out with the Phoenix Suns (47:00)
• His friendship with Latrell Sprewell and the tension present during his time with the Warriors that culminated with him choking coach PJ Carlesimo (52:00)
• His season with the Newcastle Falcons in 1998 (55:00)
• His revenge game against the Kings while with the Falcons (58:00)
• How Isaac spent 2000-2001 in prison but was allowed out to play basketball for the Las Vegas Silver Bandits IBL team (102:00)
• A return to Sydney in 2001 (1:07:00)
• Playing basketball in Cyprus (1:11:00 )
• Thoughts on college players being paid to play (1:13:00)
• What life lessons Isaac took away from the point-shaving experience (1:18:00)

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 [email protected]