Basketball History 101

By Rick Loayza

I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history.

I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading... more

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FAQs about Basketball History 101:

How many episodes does Basketball History 101 have?

The podcast currently has 320 episodes available.

Basketball History 101 episodes:

February 17, 2026 Episode 286 - Mike D'Antoni's Italian Adventure
Mike D’Antoni grew up in West Virginia with a dream of someday playing in the NBA. He achieved his dream by playing with the Kings. But he was out of the NBA in only three years. Then he had a chance to play in Italy where he became a superstar for Olimpia Milano. This is the story of his Italian adventure.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"" by
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
16min
February 10, 2026 Episode 285 - Magic Johnson to the Kings
In 1978 Magic Johnson nearly left college early to go to the NBA. The Kansas City Kings were ready to take him with the 2nd pick in the draft. So what led to him waiting until 1979 before leaving for the NBA? That’s what today’s episode is all about.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
15min
February 03, 2026 Episode 284 - Max Zaslofsky
Max Zaslofsky led the NBA in scoring during the second season of the league in 1947-48. He put the Chicago Stags on the basketball map. Later he led the Knicks to three straight NBA Finals. He was one of the greatest players from the early years of the league.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
13min
January 27, 2026 Episode 283 - Thump & Bump
Thump & Bump was one of the most obscure duos of NBA basketball. It was a short lived era for the Philadelphia 76ers featuring Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn. They never came close to a title, but they were fun to watch.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
14min
January 20, 2026 Episode 282 - The Rebound
Prior to 1950 the NBA did not even keep records of rebounds. Why was it not considered worthy of tracking? Why was the rebound under appreciated? We try to answer that question in this episode.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher
MUSIC
"Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic
"Horizons" by Roa
SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/
FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
14min
January 06, 2026 Episode 281 - Learning the Skyhook
The Sky Hook is arguably the most famous shot in NBA history. But how did Kareem Abdul-Jabber learn it in the first place? That is our story for today.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by Mokka Music
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
11min
December 30, 2025 Episode 280 - The NBA Territorial Pick
From 1949 until 1965, the NBA employed the concept of the Territorial Draft Pick, which allowed team to automatically take a player that played their university basketball within 50 miles of the NBA team’s arena. It allowed college superstars to play locally where their fans could see them play in the NBA. It made sense at the time. Join us as we take a look back.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
16min
December 23, 2025 Episode 279 - The First Game REDUX || Ep. 177 Re-Air
For this Christmas week episode, we're re-airing Episode 177 from January 2, 2024. We had done a redux of our very first episode, telling the story of basketball's first game, and if you missed it then, this is our present to you now! From all of us here at BBH.101, we wish you a very merry Christmas!
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
19min
December 16, 2025 Episode 278 - The Very First Pro Game
Basketball’s first professional game was played in New Jersey in 1896, just five years after the game was invented. That is an incredibly short window. And the fouls were rough.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
13min
December 09, 2025 Episode 277 - Larry Bird vs. the Indiana Pacers
Larry Bird pulled out a performance for the ages in Game 5 of the first round of the 1991 NBA Playoffs. He suffered an injury to his face, but still found a way to perform.
CREDITS
Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice
Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC
"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers
"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK
sportshistorynetwork.com
sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK
m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT
[email protected]
...more
14min

FAQs about Basketball History 101:

How many episodes does Basketball History 101 have?

The podcast currently has 320 episodes available.

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