Court-side moms

When our guest today’s son, Orlando Magic shooting guard Gary Harris, was 9 years old he had a sign in his bedroom that said “What did you do to make it to the NBA today?”. Former WNBA player Joy Harris joins our podcast and tells us how this inspiration led Gary on his journey to the NBA and we talk about her own basketball career and what it’s been like having her son follow in her footsteps.  

Athletics are in his genes and Gary excelled in both football and basketball. Joy shares with us how the decision was made to focus on basketball, his high school years, college recruitment, playing for Michigan State and Spartan Nation, being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and at 19-years-old, declaring after only two years in college.

Joy tells us about NBA draft night where Gary was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bulls and then traded to the Denver Nuggets, as well as the challenges he faced in his rookie season.  We talk about the difference between her career and her son’s and the lessons she’s learned and shared with Gary.

Today we are joined by Stephanie Dinwiddie, mom of Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets point guard.

At 18 months old, Spencer’s favorite toy was a Barney basketball net that chimed each time the ball went in. The chimes have never stopped ringing for Spencer and Stephanie shares stories of his journey.

After a great high school career at William Howard Taft High School, he chose to play college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes which Stephanie describes as one of the most joyful and fun times despite a career-threatening injury that cut his junior year short. His determination and work ethic were instrumental in his recovery and only a few months later he declared for the 2014 NBA Draft.

Chosen as a 2nd round pick by the Detroit Pistons, Stephanie tells us about draft night, the same night that host Wendy’s son Khem Birch went undrafted and the two moms talk about what a different experience it was for each of them and their sons. After being traded to the Bulls, Spencer experienced many ups and downs in his career and we talk about how he got through the tough times and came out the other end signing with the Nets in 2016, a career-changing move.

Off the court, he has a passion for interactions with his fans through social media, and when Nike didn’t want him to rep their sneakers he developed his own brand, K8IROS, learning every aspect of shoe design. In his mom’s words, he is a visionary, a leader, and an inspiration.

We the North! Raptor fans tap in with Kyle Lowry's mom, Marie Hollaway on Locker Room App!

Today we are excited to be joined by Marie Hollaway, mother of six-time NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold medalist, NBA champion, and Raptor star, Kyle Lowry. 

Small by basketball standards, Kyle always did what he had to do to succeed in the sport he loved. In a career filled with highs, Marie talks about the behind-the-scenes events that helped shape Kyle’s NBA journey from a young age, through to draft night where he was selected as a 1st round pick by the Memphis Grizzlies and his incredible time in the NBA thus far.

We talk about what it’s been like being the face of the Raptors, how he’s been instrumental in the club’s rise to stardom, the emotion of the 2019 Championship run happening as her mother was dying and how grateful she was that she lived long enough to see him bring home the NBA title, the victory parade, and being on the float with Drake. 

Marie tells us her hopes for Kyle’s future after basketball, how Kyle and his family have given back to the communities that have been huge in Kyle’s life - Philadelphia where he grew up and Toronto -  through the Lowry Love Foundation started by Kyle and his wife, touching the lives of the underprivileged and disadvantaged to help give them a better quality of life.  

An NBA superstar, Kyle’s story is an incredible and exciting one made even more special being told by his mom.

Fans tap in with Knicks star Julius Randle's mom, Carolyn Kyles on Locker Room App!

During a recent NBA game between the Knicks and the Golden State Warriors, our guest today sent her son, New York Knicks star Julius Randle, a surprise message on the screen at Madison Square Gardens congratulating him on being a first time NBA All Star. Carolyn Kyles is that kind of mom and we get to learn all about her on today’s podcast.

Julius always loved basketball and could often be found dribbling around the house and clinging to his ball. Carolyn recognized early on her son’s talent and started him on his journey in organized basketball from a young age.  

As a single mom, Carolyn tells us how she’s helped Julius stay grounded amidst the hype and noise of the world of elite athletes from his high school years where he fought back from an injury to play in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game and Jordan Brand Classic, through his college years where he broke records at Kentucky, declaring for the draft in 2014 and his 7 years in the NBA.

Carolyn talks about what it was like for Julius to play with his idol Kobe Bryant when he was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers and the impact Kobe had throughout Julius’ career, how he overcame the tragedy of breaking his leg 14 minutes into the first game of his NBA journey and came back better than ever becoming the youngest Laker since Magic Johnson with a triple double, and how he’s handled the press, social media and the fans now that he’s playing in the mecca of basketball.  

Fans tap in with Kyle Anderson's mom Suzanne Anderson on Locker Room App

Today we are joined by Suzanne Anderson, mom of Memphis Grizzlies NBA star Kyle Anderson. At 18 months old, Kyle was already shooting balls into his Little Tikes Basketball Net and his mom tells us how worried she was because he wasn’t interested in anything else.  Needless to say, Suzanne realized early on his fascination with the game would lead to an incredible journey beginning with his high school career where he received national recognition as a Parade All-American, McDonald’s All-American, playing in the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit.   

We talk about the college recruitment process, playing al UCLA  for the Bruins, the NCAA investigation and her experience of racial profiling.  Suzanne takes us through the thought process behind their decision to declare for the draft.  The 2014 draft was the day Kyle’s dream came true when he was chosen as a first round pick by the San Antonio Spurs where he played for four seasons alongside superstars Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard.

Suzanne also talks about her own journey on Ancestor.com which led to her discovery of who she is and a trip of a lifetime for her and Kyle and how this new understanding of his heritage has impacted the way he is raising his child and living his life. 

With the signing of her son Khem, to Toronto this past week, Wendy has now become a Raptors’ Mom. On this week’s episode Wendy is joined by fellow Raptor Mom, and friend, Sue Danforth, mother to Fred VanVleet.

 In a Q&A discussion conducted on Locker Room, Wendy and Sue discuss what this move to Toronto means for Khem, what Wendy can expect from “her” new team and what playing for his home country team means from Khem, a move that reunites him with his team Canada coach Nick Nurse. 

Tune in for a fun and exciting episode to our newest member of the #WeTheNorth team member.

Fans tap in with Sydney, Nia, & Amir Coffey's mom, Sheba Coffey on Locker Room App