From basketball royalty to the world of teen adventure fiction, Brett Maher joins Bazz and Phil for a wide-ranging chat that goes well beyond the court. He shares the story behind his brand new book The Adventures of Jack Gibson, an Indiana Jones meets Stargate-style adventure for young readers, and how the idea came to life during COVID. Brett opens up about the creative process, the Golden Wizard Book Prize, and plans for a four-part series.

We also hear about the early days of his career, including a devastating ACL injury at 16, a near miss with a US college scholarship, and the mental toll that came with rebuilding himself as a player. The conversation shifts to Brett’s loyalty to the Adelaide 36ers, where he played 18 seasons and captained three championships. He reflects on turning down major offers from overseas, the moment his name was put on the Brett Maher Court, and the difficult decision to step away from the club during a turbulent period. Brett also shares his views on the current 36ers roster, what’s changed in today’s game, and the key role his family played in every major career decision.

To round things out, we dive into his time with the Boomers, his most admired teammates, and what it meant to finally see Australia break through for an Olympic medal. Brett finishes with some brilliant advice for young athletes on how to train with intent, push out of their comfort zone, and hold themselves to elite standards. It is the same mindset that took him from the backyard to the world stage.

📚 The Adventures of Jack Gibson is out early December. Available on Amazon and all good bookstores.

🎥 This episode was proudly recorded at Garton Plastics. Huge thanks to Gary Thompson and the team for their support.

🙏 Big thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia, the best air conditioning company in the country.

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