Aussie Hoopla NBL & NBA Podcast

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)

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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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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]

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)

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 [email protected]

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).

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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 [email protected]

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.

• 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)

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.

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