Doc Adkins is largely unknown to most current NBL fans but is truly an unsung hero of the league and responsible for much of the NBL's success since it was started in 1979.

He helped recruit players such as Cal Bruton, Leroy Loggins, James Crawford, Steve Carfino, Ricky Grace, Derek Rucker, Chuck Harmison and many other NBL Hall Of Famers who would go on to develop the league to the standard it is today.

He is a true pioneer of Australian basketball and worthy of being included in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.

On this podcast, he joins Dan Boyce to talk about his involvement in the early years of the NBL.

Topics include;

• How Dr Dave Adkins became involved in Australian Basketball (2:00)
• Bringing Cal Bruton to Australia (13:00)
• How did Dave "sell" the NBL to import players in the 70s and 80s (16:00)
• How was recruiting import players different in the 70s and 80s compared to the 90s when basketball was exploding in Australia (30:00)
• Dave's relationship with Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse (38:00)
• The methods he followed when identifying a quality import for Australian teams (45:00)
• Coaching the Hobart Devils from 1986-1989 (54:00)
• Why Dr Dave Adkins needs to be included in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (102:00)
• How the NBL was viewed across Australia when it launched in 1979 (1:07:00)
• What players he sent to Australia surprised him the most with their NBL careers (1:10:00)
• The biggest learnings Dave has taken away from his time in basketball (1:19:00)

Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms.

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, CJ Bruton, Chris Anstey, Brett Maher, John Rillie, Tony Ronaldson, Brad Newley

Current NBL Stars -Donald Sloan, AJ Ogilvy, Damian Martin, Daniel Kickert, Thomas Abercrombie, Jason Cadee, Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Cam Gliddon, Anthony Drmic

Our Finest Coaching Minds - Brian Goorjian, Barry Barnes, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Aaron Fearne, Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Ian Stacker, Shawn Dennis, Dean Vickerman, Trevor Gleeson, Lindsey Gaze, Ken Cole, Will Weaver

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, Andre Moore, Steve Woodberry, Mike Mitchell, Dusty Rychart, Ebi Ere, Doug Overton, Kevin Lisch

And the men who run things - Larry Kestelman, 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]