Player Edition:

On episode 23, I had a chance to catch up to two San Antonio legends!!! Both Chris Ross and Ben Uzoh played their high school ball in San Antonio. Chris Ross played his high school ball at John Jay and won a state championship off of a half court buzzer beater that was nominated and almost won an ESPY. He was a Division 1 level quarterback, but went and played Division 1 basketball at Marshall instead. He is having an amazing championship career in the Philippines.

Ben Uzoh played his high school ball at Warren High School and played his college ball at Tulsa. He spent his first two years as a pro in the NBA with the Nets and the Raptors, then 2 more years in the G-League. He has played over seas, but his most memorable experience is representing the Nigerian National Team at the 2016 Olympics. Not only is Ben an Olympian, his team qualified again for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which would make him a two-time Olympian, but the pandemic has put a pause on those games.

Both of these point guards are considering the idea that one they they could possibly get into coaching after their playing days are over. Chris Ross has options after he retires to possibly coach in the Philippines and Ben Uzoh has already had a stint with the Chicago Bulls G-League affiliate as an assistant coach on the team.

We had a great conversation talking their childhood, when they fell in love with the game, influences in their lives, giving back to the younger generations, utilizing their platforms to speak on the injustices we are witnessing here in the states, top 5 NBA players of all time, favorite shoe line (Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, or Penny), and much much more!!!

I had a blast and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!!!

On episode 22 I had to honor to speak with a couple of coaches who have never met each other but share the same passion for the kids they coach and for the game of basketball. Trovocie just completed his second year as the head coach of Centennial HS in Burleson, Texas. Herb Jackson recently announced his retirement after a 36 year career, 31 of which have been at Burbank HS in San Antonio, Texas. There is a ton of insight from the perspectives of a young head coach and a veteran head coach. We spoke about their childhood, their coaching journeys, impactful moments in their careers, All-Time NBA starting 5, how to maintain their fitness throughout the day to day grind of the coach’s life, and much more.

Coach Jackson leaves an amazing legacy behind in the Burbank and San Antonio basketball communities and I am honored to have him join us on the show today!

Original Air Date: June 28, 2020 via YouTube

On episode 22 I had to honor to speak with a couple of coaches who have never met each other but share the same passion for the kids they coach and for the game of basketball. Trovocie just completed his second year as the head coach of Centennial HS in Burleson, Texas. Herb Jackson recently announced his retirement after a 36 year career, 31 of which have been at Burbank HS in San Antonio, Texas. There is a ton of insight from the perspectives of a young head coach and a veteran head coach. We spoke about their childhood, their coaching journeys, impactful moments in their careers, All-Time NBA starting 5, how to maintain their fitness throughout the day to day grind of the coach’s life, and much more.

Coach Jackson leaves an amazing legacy behind in the Burbank and San Antonio basketball communities and I am honored to have him join us on the show today!

Original Air Date: June 28, 2020 via YouTube

What a fun episode!!!

Coach Taplin and Coach Nowlin both received news they got their very first HEAD COACHING JOB about a week prior to recording this episode!!! I am extremely happy for them!

Coach Taplin is now the head boys basketball coach at Lee HS in San Antonio and Coach Nowlin is now the head boys coach at Seguin HS in Seguin, TX.

They shared stories about their long journeys as assistant coaches, pushing through some adversity throughout their careers, and showing extreme gratitude for their opportunity to run their own programs. We also discussed their time working together at Olive Garden as teenagers, the return of the NBA, best point guards in NBA history, and best shooter of all-time.

This is a great episode you do not want to miss, especially for young assistant coaches looking for their opportunity!!!

Original Air Date: June 12, 2020

On this episode I had a chance to speak with two coaches from the Hill Country in the great stat of Texas.

Stan Leech was a long time coach in Boerne ISD, and is now the current Athletic Director for the district. Coach Leech has over 800 wins under his belt as a head coach!!!

Brian young has been coaching over 30 years and spent 24 of those years at Kerrville Tivy as their head coach. He literally retired a week prior the recording of this episode.

Coach Leech and Coach Young have coached head to head 49 times!!! They are extreme competitors and developed an amazing rivalry between Boerne and Kerville. Through this rivalry they developed a phenomenal bond and are currently the best of friends. They share so many stories about their rivalry and their careers in this episode.

Enjoy!!!

Original Air Date: June 11, 2020

On this episode I got a chance to have a great conversation with Ian Mahinmi of the Washington Wizards. Ian is absolutely one of the best people you will ever come across on this planet. He is a very humble, genuine, and caring person. We had a chance to sit and talk about his childhood, how his parents served as amazing inspirations, his passion for giving back, coaches along his journey that have made profound impacts in his life, and so much more. I had an absolute blast talking to Ian and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!!!

Original Air Date: May 31, 2020 via YouTube

Coach Lou Torres is now retired, but spent several years serving the basketball community in the San Antonio area and had an amazing career. Coach John Valenzuela is having a great career of his own and has been in the profession well over 20 years. He is currently at San Antonio Christian.

These two powerful leaders give great insight into their childhood, careers, inspirations, and tell so many great basketball stories. Coach Torres and Coach Valenzuela speak on when Torres lead a San Antonio team to a national championship that featured Shaquille O'Neal and Bo Outlaw. Coach Val talks about his experience being an assistant coach with the college Team USA and coaching them in China. With these stories and so many more great stories, this is definitely an episode you can not miss.

Original Air Date: May 30, 2020 via YouTube

Coach Cuevas and Coach Zaragoza both live on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California. Coach Cuevas has been coaching for 30 years, and is currently the head boys coach at Charter Oak. Coach "Zee" has served as Coach Cuevas' assistant as well as spending some time in the professional leagues in Mexico as an assistant coach.

We had a great time talking about life and hoops. It does not matter if you are from Texas, or California, or anywhere else in the world, basketball is basketball and the game brings people together. I hope you enjoy this episode!!!

Also, check out Robert Zaragoza's Shoot the Rock podcast on all podcast platforms. He does a great job promoting latino hoops. Much love Coach Z!!!

Original Air Date: May 27, 2020

Coach Chatman is the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Steele High School and Coach Hastings is the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Wagner High School in San Antonio, Texas. Both coaches have had a tremendous amount of success in their careers and do an amazing job running their programs.

On this episode we talked about adjusting to COVID, childhood, influences in their lives, The Last Dance, the greatest shooter of all time, and much much more!!!

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!!!

Original Air Date: May 23, 2020 via YouTube

Coach Art Gonzales is an amazing person and had an outstanding career as a coach and assistant Athletic Director in San Antonio. His is now retired and heading the San Antonio Area Association of Basketball Coaches and is doing a great job of growing the profession. His son, Mike Gonzales, is currently an assistant coach at San Antonio Veterans Memorial, but spent some time as a head coach in Laredo, Texas prior to moving back home.

We had an amazing time talking about life, coaching, and hoops. Coach Art Gonzales had a chance to coach Mike in high school, and Mike talks about being able to lean on his father throughout his career and how fortunate he is to have that relationship with his father. It was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy!!!

Original Air Date: May 23, 2020 via YouTube