
Hoop Threads
By Aaron Proia
Interviewing successful figures in the basketball space in the DMV and around the country: media members, trainers, coaches, scouts, and entrepreneurs.
You see where they're at now, tap in to learn about their journey to the top.
You see where they're at now, tap in to learn about their journey to the top.

Episode 10: Coleman Ayers of By Any Means
Hoop Threads • By Aaron Proia • Jul 15, 2020
Loading…
00:00
43:42
1x

Episode 66: Nike Peach Jam (Aneesh Namburi+PD Web)
1:00 Our dudes
6:15 Names that popped
10:00 U15 Standouts
15:30 U16s Standouts
27:00 Cross-brands matchup
30:00 Best narrative
41:27
July 29, 2022

Episode 65: Chad Graham of Cerebrosports
1:00 Introduction to the scene
5:30 New kids that popped
9:30 Stock boosters
18:30 Impressive HS cultures
22:30 Underrated D1 names
31:30 Names to keep an eye on
40:30 Boosting the recruitment of 2023s
43:15 Message to prospects
51:48
July 01, 2022

Episode 64: Nike EYBL Recap with PD Web, Alex Brown, Aneesh Namburi
Had three national scouts on the podcast to recap standouts, fun matchups, and names to monitor at Nike EYBL
1:00 New names that popped
5:30 DMV prospects
10:45 22’s
12:30 ’23s
25:30 ’24s
42:00 ’25s
55:00 Peterson/Flagg/Boozer
1:13:00 Names to track
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
Host: @pr0ia
Guests: @abovethebreak3 @ahbanalytics @AneeshNamburi
01:21:01
April 26, 2022

Episode 63: Lamar Butler of Paul VI HS
We spoke with Lamar about his prep experience, playing on the 06 Final Four team at George Mason, coaching HS/AAU, and so much more
0:30 Growing up in a great culture at Oxon Hill
3:00 Recruitment process
6:00 Arriving at George Mason
8:00 Rehab process
9:30 Mentality entering tournament
14:30 Facing Florida
16:30 Continuing relationships with George Mason
17:45 Overseas story
19:30 Introduction to coaching
25:30 Distributing mins
27:30 Preparation
29:00 Getting players out of slumps
30:30 Buy-in
31:30 TTO
33:00 Coach English at Mason
36:30 Quick hitters Host: @pr0ia Guest: @Butler2two Podcast: @HoopThreadsPod
42:13
March 18, 2022

Episode 62: Speakeasy for Sports Founder, Sam
We spoke with Sam about his journey from HS basketball to the NBA to college, working in player development and as a video coordinator, networking in the basketball space, and Speakeasy for Sports.
1:00 Journey
15:00 SpeakEasy for Sports
22:00 Learning from Dave Adkins
25:00 Video projects for NBA FO/coaches
30:00 NBA playbooks
33:00 DeMatha takeaways
37:00 Learning from Coach Musselman
47:00 Networking without a playing career
49:30 Quick hitters
1:04:00 Legacy
Host: @pr0ia
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
Guest: @Speakeasyfor , @SamKrosnick
01:08:03
March 16, 2022

Episode 61: Tyler McKittrick of Point Guard Eyes
We spoke with Tyler about his playing career and transition into evaluating high school prospects. We also spoke about DMV HS tournament results, discussed prospects in all 4 HS classes, spoke about culture, and so much more
1:00 Playing journey
7:00 Transition to Point Guard Eyes
11:00 Evaluations
14:00 WCAC parity
18:00 Players to watch
24:30 Top storylines in the WCAC next season
29:00 MIAA/IAC
32:00 MAC
34:00 BCLs
43:30 Feel
44:30 Betting on certain coaches/cultures
45:30 What makes the DMV special
46:30 Quick hitters
Podcast: @HoopThreadsPod
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @pointguardeyes
57:08
March 04, 2022

Episode 60: Ryan Girardot of Cerebro Sports
We spoke with Ryan about his basketball journey, thoughts on advanced analytics, vision for Cerebro sports, and so much more
:30 Journey
2:00 Mavs ball boy
4:00 Beginning of Cerebrosports
6:00 Background of his team
9:00 Cerebro Advanced Metrics
13:00 Value for every audience
16:00 Applications for the athlete
19:30 C-Ram and Recruiting
22:00 Building out vs building slowly
24:30 Breaking through noise in stats
28:30 Top row series
31:00 HS Czar
35:00 NBA Czar
39:00 Basketball hotbeds
45:00 Quick hitters
56:00 What’s coming next? Podcast: @hoopthreadspod Host: @pr0ia Guest:@rmgbuilds
01:04:07
February 19, 2022

Episode 59: Marcus Helton of DMVElite
We spoke with Marcus about his journey as a writer and scout, the evolution of DMVElite, creating opportunities for HS prospects, and much more
:30 beginning
2:00 Building region-wide coverage
3:00 Being an OG
4:15 Transitioning from video to writing
5:00 Scout vs writer
6:30 Navigating the politics
8:00 Events during covid
10:00 DMVElite80
12:00 New events
14:30 DMV Basketball Czar
18:30 Advice to players/parents
21:00 Misconceptions about the transfer portal
24:30 Teaming up vs establishing a foundation
26:00 Underrated names in the DMV Class
29:00 Fit vs level
32:00 What makes DMV basketball great/unique?
37:30 Advice to young journalists
39:00 Legacy
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @marcushelton
42:43
February 05, 2022

Episode 58: Don Showalter of Team USA JNT
We spoke with Coach Show about his high school coaching experience, advice to young coaches, USA JNT, leadership skills, building great practices, his favorite Team USA players, best steak spots in the country, and so much more!
:30 Journey
5:00 Advice to young coaches
7:00 Wooden mentorship
10:00 Implementing what you've learned
14:00 Snow Valley
19:30 Practice
25:00 Building a competitive practice
28:00 Building leadership skills
31:00 Communicating with players
34:30 Team USA
40:00 Culture
43:30 You never know who's in the gym
45:00 Learning from Coach K and Pop
48:00 Separators at every level
49:00 Mentoring Coach Jones
52:30 Favorite Team USA players
53:45 What do you hope your players have taken away from you?
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @dshow23
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
57:25
January 21, 2022

Episode 57: Derek Murray of Babcock Hoops/Basketball News
Spoke with Derek about his journey as a scout, basketball philosophy, prospects, and so much more!
0:30 Basketball journey
6:30 Believing in certain coaches or cultures?
8:30 Box score stats
9:30 PD “Feel is teachable”
11:00 Evaluating mental makeup
14:00 Factoring age and situation into evaluating intangibles
17:00 A hit or miss that made you re-evaluate your process
21:00 Studying misses to evaluate shooting
21:30 Landry Shamet story
24:30 Workout warrior lessons
26:30 Consistency vs isolated performances
29:30 Background info scouts ask for
32:00 Longitudinal scouting
34:00 Learning the intricacies of the game from Matt Babcock
36:45 Fundamentals needed to start Day 1 in the NBA
38:30 The trait that is easiest to correct or improve in the league?
39:15 NBA teams manipulating narratives
40:30 Add or subtract 3 inches to an NBA prospects’ height that would most dramatically change their stock
41:00 Thoughts on regional HS hotbeds
43:00 Local OK names
45:00 Quick hitters
Host: @pr0ia Guest: @DMurrayHoops Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
55:21
January 14, 2022

Episode 56: Miles Masercola of Hoop State Network
We spoke with Miles about the Hoop State Network, his journey, building relationships, standouts from the John Wall Invitational, and so much more!
:30 Beginnings
3:00 Big break
5:00 Biggest playcall
6:00 NC Rivalries
8:00 NC Public School Hoops
10:00 What sets the Hoop State apart?
13:00 Developing scouting philosophy
16:00 Attitude notes
20:00 Building relationships
23:00 Hoop State Brand
29:00 John Wall Invitational big name standouts
32:00 John Wall Invitational young standouts
35:00 John Wall Invitational Small college standouts
37:00 John Wall Invitational new names that popped
39:00 John Wall Invitational programs that boosted their stock
41:00 John Wall Invitational standout team cultures
44:00 Important relationships with players
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @masercolamiles
51:07
January 07, 2022

Episode 55: Josh Pratt of Archbishop Spalding BB
Spoke with Coach Pratt about his playing career, his history of rebuilding programs, coaching at a public/private HS, basketball philosophy, and so much more
5:42 College career
9:37 Getting into coaching
13:25 Building under Glick at Palotti
20:00 Palotti peak
22:20 Being an assistant coach
25:45 Balancing respect and being a player’s coach
33:00 Building programs
38:00 JV head coaching experience leading to success
41:20 Taking over at Towson Catholic
43:30 Coaching high major recruits
48:00 Coaching public school basketball
59:50 Returning to Spalding as the head coach
1:01:30 Hiring assistants and retaining incumbent players
1:09:30 Quick hitters
HT Pod: @hoopthreadspod on Twitter and Instagram
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @ashscoach on Twitter, @coachprattspalding (personal) @ashshoops (team)
01:20:45
December 11, 2021

Episode 54: Mark Schindler
We spoke with Mark about some of his favorite all-time players, his writing and scouting processes, big boards, big 3s, and so much more. Podcast Twitter: @hoopthreadspod Host: @pr0ia Guest: @mschindlerNBA
01:21:12
November 12, 2021

Episode 53: CBB Fantasy Draft with Sean Paul, Tristan Freeman, PD Web, and Terrence Oglesby
Idea stolen from the Goodman and Hummel Podcast, 12-player fantasy draft of college basketball players to preview the upcoming College Hoops season. Drafting as a college basketball coach looking to win a championship this year, while still having talent left over to build in the future
Need 1: Mid-major Player Raw toolsy player Deep cut NBA Prospect Max 2 players from: Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Gonzaga, Nova
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
Host: @pr0ia
Guests: Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB), Tristan Freeman (@hoopsnut351), PD Web (@abovethebreak3), and Terrence Oglesby (@CoachTO22)
53:33
November 05, 2021

Episode 52: Recruiting Roundtable: Stan Jones (FSU), Leonard Fairley (NSU), and Maurice Kearney (SUNY Cortland)
We spoke with a great roundtable of college basketball coaches on recruiting, visits, offers, best stories, and so much more!
0:56 College Choice
3:00 Identifying decision maker in recruiting
10:30 NIL
15:00 Visits
19:00 More emphasis needs to be placed on
33:00 Balancing transfers/freshmen with returning team
44:30 Day to day interactions with recruits
50:00 Deciding between prospects at same position
56:00 Timing of offers
1:03:30 Recruiting misses
1:09:30 Best recruiting story
Podcast: @HoopThreadsPod
Host: @pr0ia
Guests: @CoachStanJones @CoachLenNSU @Mkearney92
01:20:60
October 28, 2021

Episode 51: NBA Roundtable 2021 Over/Under Podcast
Tyler Sollenne (@tsollenne) and Jordan Lyndaker (bilo_lc) joined the pod to discuss the over/under's and share our individual picks for the upcoming NBA season
Host: @pr0ia
Podcast: @hoopthreadspod
01:30:55
October 20, 2021

Episode 50: Adam Spinella of Boys Latin
Spoke with Adam about his collegiate coaching career, video work, coaching philosophy, draft thoughts, and so much more.
01:24:25
August 13, 2021

Episode 49: HS Parent Panel
Our panel discussed how parents should approach their child's selection and recruitment process, the importance of fit over name recognition, the effects that a parent can have on their child's recruitment, things that can get their child crossed off or put on a list, educational requirements, what they should ask on college visits, and so much more.
Panelists: Doug Martin(@DougE14), Duane Simpkins(@CoachDSimpkins), Pat O'Connor (@oconnor_pat), Lawrence Brown (@Balloutsports01), and Van Johnson (@johnsonvj05)
01:34:35
August 06, 2021

Episode 48: Joe Esquivel-Murphy of Prep Hoops NJ
We spoke with Joe about his playing career, his transition to scouting, and some of the players that stood out at Jersey Shore Jam Fest
01:00:24
August 02, 2021

Episode 47: NBA Roundtable Draft Preview
Brought 2/3 of the roundtable on to discuss our 5 "guys" from this year's class, guys that we would be nervous drafting, a guy who will succeed wherever he goes, a guy whose fit will be crucial to his career arc, our hottest draft take, and our draft sleepers.
Host: @pr0ia. Guests: @tsollenne, @bilo_lc
50:17
July 28, 2021

Episode 46: Duane Simpkins
We spoke with Coach Simpkins about his playing career, his coaching journey, recruiting, NLI, and so much more
59:30
July 16, 2021

Episode 45: Butch West
We spoke with Butch about his playing career, coaching journey, working at the juco level, NBA basketball, and much more
57:26
July 02, 2021

Episode 44: Etan Thomas
We spoke with Etan about his playing career, athlete empowerment, his book, civil rights, athletes working in media, and so much more.
Host: @pr0ia
Guest: @EtanThomas36
01:17:44
June 18, 2021

Episode 43: Steve Turner of Gonzaga College High School
1:00 beginnings
12:00 trial and error
16:30 Gonzaga program staples
23:00 changes to hs calendar
30:00 Coaching his son and two-sport athletes
33:30 substance over sexy
35:30 Preparing For the next level versus winning games
42:10 Social media + today’s athlete
46:00 Undersized players
50:30 Nonconference scheduling
53:30 Vying with MJ to die with the most timeouts
57:00 Competing with Coach Jones
1:01:00 DeMatha vs Gonzaga memories
01:02:45 Britt vs Jenkins
1:05:00 Advocating for his players
1:09:00 High school—> college moves
1:13:00 Team USA
1:17:30 Players that made him lose the most sleep
1:21:30 Positive feedback from college coaches
1:24:30 Quick hitters
01:58:39
June 11, 2021

Episode 42: Cardell Dudley Jr of Finest Magazine
Cardell shares his basketball journey, transition to media, covering professional basketball, his magazine, and so much more.
0:40 Basketball beginnings
6:17 Media journey
13:30 Scouting
19:00 NBA Media Credential
22:30 Meeting Obama
27:30 HBCU basketball
32:30 Advice for young players
39:30 NBA Fans
43:00 HS coaches moving up
45:00 Quick hitters
Host: @pr0ia, Guest: @finestmagazine
01:08:45
June 04, 2021

Episode 41: NBA Roundtable Playoff Preview
We put together our round-by-round predictions, talked about intriguing matchups, X factors, potential breakout players, and much more.
Host: @pr0ia, Guests: @tsollenne, @Bilo_LC
01:04:23
May 24, 2021

Episode 40: Pat Stasiak of Colgate MBB
We spoke with Pat about his experience at SUNY Cortland, his transition to Colgate, recruiting at a high academic, and even get his best Tom Spanbauer impression.
01:22:35
May 23, 2021

Episode 39: Roundtable NBA Season Wrap-up
We checked in on the NBA regular season awards, title contenders, prospects, and a play-in team that could raise some hell come playoff time. Host: @pr0ia. Guests: @tylersollenne, @bilo_lc
01:13:28
May 08, 2021

Episode 38: Sean Paul and Jordan Lyndaker
First we talk about Sean, his journey, his writing/evaluation process, and what went into his Oral Roberts prediction. Then we bring Jordan on to discuss our favorite teams, matchups, and things to watch in the remaining rounds of the NCAA tournament.
01:11:25
March 27, 2021

Episode 37: Mychal Hunter of ACC BR Part 2 MARCH MADNESS
In this episode we give some of our March Madness predictions: everything from our coach on the hot seat, biggest seeding issue, Cinderella teams, Final Four picks, upsets, and so much more.
Host: @pr0ia, Guest: @accbr1
45:27
March 18, 2021

Episode 37: Mychal Hunter of ACC BR Part 1
Mychal discusses his journey, how the podcast came to fruition, some of his favorite ACC memories, ACC What-if's, preseason takes, NBA prospects, and he even picks his college basketball drinking team.
5:00 Most rewatchable ACC game
8:00 Best tournament game
10:00 Coach on the hot seat that looks the most ridiculous in retrospect
14:00 UNC upperclassmen struggles
20:00 Biggest ACC What-if
27:00 Preseason takes
NBA Prospects
42:00 Disappointing/surprising teams
54:00 NCAAB drinking team
Host: @pr0ia, Guest: @accbr1
56:33
March 18, 2021

Episode 36: Marc Stern, Marcus Helton, and Anthony Haynie
Spoke to our DMV roundtable about their journeys, high school basketball during covid, G League 2021 recommendations, the Fab 5, and much more.
1:30 Talk about your journey
8:00 Talk about the experience of sports during CoVid
17:30 The transfer portal
20:00 How would the Fab 5 experience have been if it happened today?
25:45 The next G League Ignite team
31:30 Overtime League
36:30 Next wave of DMV talent
Host: @pr0ia, @anthonyhaynie3, @marcushelton, @capitolhoops
47:16
March 10, 2021

Episode 35: Jim Eichenhofer of the New Orleans Pelicans
We spoke to Jim about his journalism background, covering the Pelicans, and shared some insight on working within the NBA.
0:30 Career background
3:30 Sources say
7:00 Narrative
12:15 Media's expectations for players
20:30 Objectivity
23:00 relationship with the front office and team
26:00 Josh Hart
28:45 Comparing #1 pick buzz
31:00 Boogie Cousins
32:45 Trade block
40:00 Vetoed trades
49:00 Rebuilding
50:00 TV games
53:00 The Draymond factor
56:00 OG hate
1:02:00 JJ Redick
Host: @pr0ia, @tsollenne. Guest: @Jim_Eichenhofer
01:28:16
March 03, 2021

Episode 33: Daryl Greene of Greenelight Shooting/DeMatha/Team Takeover
We spoke with DG about his DeMatha career, Niagara, playing overseas, working for an NBA franchise, training, coaching youth sports, and his thoughts on DeMatha culture.
:30 beginnings
4:00 Playing with Joe forte and Keith bogans
5:00 Championship his senior year 34-1
7:00 Toughness questions
8:00 Playing for Morgan Wootten
10:00 What is this era missing most
15:00 Niagara
17:00 Dominant sophomore campaign
22:00 Overseas story
24:00 Scouting job with Hawks
29:15 Hardest aspect of shooting to unlearn
30:30 Mental toughness
37:00 Coaching at DeMatha and for TTO
43:00 Confidence
44:45 Little things that kill rotation minutes
47:30 Motivating players
53:30 DeMatha culture
56:00 Shooters
57:00 HOF conversation
Host: @pr0ia, guest @dgfranchise2000 on IG @dgreene11
01:08:50
February 17, 2021

Episode 32: Austin Freeman and Chris Wright of the Dawg Talk Podcast
We spoke with Free and Chris about their high school careers, their time together at Georgetown, Coach Thompson, playing in the G league and overseas, and much more.
1:00 Basketball beginnings and journey
5:30 WCAC Comp
11:30 Georgetown
19:00 Big John stories
26:30 Translation of their games in modern day hoops
28:00 Favorite matchup
31:30 Current Hoya program
38:00 What if- DMV players
43:00 G League experiences
49:00 Overseas stories
56:00 PG details
59:40 Reaction to Shaq-Donovan Mitchell
1:06:00 Dawg Talk Podcast
Host: @pr0ia. Guests: @_sugarfree5, @mrwrightsr.
Podcast: @DawgTalk101
01:13:54
January 27, 2021

Episode 31: Mark Edwards Part II
In part 2 of our conversation with Mark Edwards we discuss skill development, training methods, social justice, and the next wave of athletes
:10 Mount Rushmore of skill development guys
5:00 Vertical training
10:45 Motivating athletes and training mindsets
18:00 College student athletes taking advantage of access
27:00 Social conscience, maturity of next wave of athletes
46:00 Relationships
53:30 Georgia basketball
Host: @pr0ia, guest: @medwardsbball
01:03:18
January 14, 2021

Episode 31: Mark Edwards Part I
In part 1 we speak with Mark about his playing career, NYC basketball, Run n Shoot, and player development insights.
0:50 Playing career and NYC Basketball culture
9:40 Training start
14:00 And1
29:15 Run n Shoot's impact on Atlanta basketball
31:15 #1 Skill that needs to be taught at a higher level
40:00 Shooting slump help
49:15 Skill development state of the union
57:35 Gilbert Arenas quote
01:04:06
January 14, 2021

Episode 30: Jay Bilas of ESPN
We spoke with Jay about his playing and coaching careers, Coach K, his camp, NCAA decision-making, and his work with ESPN.
1:30 Young Jeezy
3:00 Lessons from his father
4:30 College recruiting process
6:30 “Is your brother home?”? Johnny Dawkins story
9:00 Coach K: then and now
11:30 Hurley/Laettner/Coach K practice environments
13:30 Team USA Experience with Coach K
16:00 Duke basketball staples
17:35 Critiques
21:15 Jay Bilas Camp Culture
26:40 What problems are you trying to address at camp?
30:30 Pete Belle’s and Tom Izzo’s
34:15 NCAA Decision input
37:20 Czar of basketball for a day
40:30 NCAA concessions for HS players
45:15 I may not actually hate that Duke player
48:40 Analyst game preparation
52:15 NBA Draft process
55:30 Overseas basketball story
Host: @pr0ia, Guest: @JayBilas
57:58
December 30, 2020

Episode 29: NBA Roundtable Awards Predictions and Over-Unders
The RoundTable got together to talk awards predictions, over-unders, preseason reactions, and added in some hot takes
1:00 MVP
1:44 MIP
5:31 6MOY
12:32 ROY
17:00 COY
20:25 EOY (Executive)
26:16 DPOY
29:53 Preseason reaction/mulligan on one of your takes on the last pod
37:00 Favorite over-unders
Host: @pr0ia. Roundtable: @tsollenne, @bilo_lc, @thelegitceo
55:11
December 22, 2020

Episode 28: Jeremy Pope of Compass Prep
We spoke with Coach Pope about growing up in Compton, his playing career, being a GA at UW, Orangeville Prep, Compass Prep, his faith, and coaching philosophy.
0:50 Beginnings
2:00 LA Basketball culture
5:30 Competiting at different levels of college basketball
9:20 Working under Coach Hop
14:00 Being a graduate assistant
20:30 Keys to establishing programs
23:45 Big program wins
29:00 Orangeville Prep
36:45 AZ Compass Prep
39:40 Culture and cohesion
44:00 Career planning
45:50 Mentors
48:30 Serving as a role model
51:30 Offseason studying
53:15 Must-read books for coaches
55:15 Underrated Twitter follows
57:30 Faith
Host: @pr0ia, Guest: @CoachJPope
01:02:02
December 16, 2020

Episode 27: NBA Roundtable Part 2: Western Conference Preview
0:40 Championship contender tiers
7:33 GM’s that had best offseason
18:00 Playoff teams
23:45 Destined for the lottery
30:00 Headscratcher offseason
Host: @pr0ia
Guests: @LegitCEO, @Bilo_LC, @TylerSollenne
39:02
December 09, 2020

Episode 27: NBA Roundtable Part 1: Eastern Conference
0:40 Championship contender tiers
4:00 Playoff teams
7:33 GM’s that had best offseason
14:00 Lottery bound
19:40 Headscratcher offseason
Host: @pr0ia, @LegitCEO, @bilo_lc, @tylersollenne
29:22
December 09, 2020

Episode 26: PD Web
We spoke with PD about his Player Development Web, basketball philosophies, scouting methodologies and techniques, writing style, some underrated names, and even had him play mock GM.
0:30 Basketball roots
1:20 Audience
2:40 Writing style
4:30 Favorite basketball minds
5:40 Box score stats pros and cons
12:35 The Player Development Web
14:45 Instagram handle vs effective handle
18:45 Feel is teachable
21:45 Larry Bird front office theory
23:35-24:53 Empirical evidence vs eye test
28:15 The 3rd Dunk Rule
30:10 Evaluating shooting misses
32:40 Shot doctor chatter
39:10 Recruiting home can be a bad thing
41:15 Levels to this 44:40 Thoughts on UNC Offense
48:35 Favorite college+player fit
51:30 The minutiae of shooting
55:00 The minutiae of defending
57:30 The minutiae of PnR
1:01:50 NBA GMs picking scared
1:06:50 Favorite 2020 Draft fit
1:08:00 2020 Draft Day Slide Retribution Tour Candidate
1:09:50 The jury is still out on ________
1:11:15 Running the Motor City
1:21:30 Rockets talk
1:23:20 NBA basketball trends
1:26:10 Underrated high school names: Aaron
1:29:00 Underrated high school names: PD
Host: @pr0ia. Guest @abovethebreak3
01:37:43
December 02, 2020

Episode 25: Stan Jones of Florida State Men's Basketball
0:55 Basketball Journey
13:02 Competing in the Big East, SEC, and ACC
14:02 Steps to building a program
19:45 "Recruit attitude, develop skill"
29:15 Guiding student-athletes through distractions
34:00 Communicating with players and their families
39:00 Program-building through practice
42:20 Load management and injury prevention
47:10 Defensive principles
49:35 Keys to relationship-building
54:20 Learning from Coach Hamilton
58:50 Do what you do best, and do what you do the most
1:04:50 Projecting 2020-2021 team
1:10:20 2020 Draft Process
1:12:15 Vassell's fit in SA, Trent in Utah
1:17:20 Closed mouths don't get fed
1:24:30 Future stars in the coaching profession
1:26:10 Advice for young coaches and legacy
01:30:21
November 27, 2020

Episode 24: NBA Draft Reaction
Roundtable reacts to the NBA Draft
0:55 NBA Draft winners
5:20 Draft losers
10:05 GM that played it too conservatively
15:05 Surprising storylines
21:05 Favorite player+team fits
26:25 Favorite UDFA fits
30:35 Best value picks
35:05 Near misses
39:25 Undervalued moves
46:45 FA quick reactions
Host: @pr0ia, @tsollenne, @bilo_LC
50:19
November 20, 2020

Episode 23: NBA Roundtable discusses the NBA Draft
0:50 Ripple effects from CP3 trade on the draft
2:30 Hottest draft takes
10:20 Sleeper Picks: 2nd rd/ UDFA that you believe in
17:15 Draft day sliders or riders
21:30 Draft or pass: Lamelo/jahmius/wiseman/pokushevski
36:30 Who are your guys?
48:50 Thoughts on the Duke trio of Stanley/Carey/Jones
Rate, review, and share your feedback!
Twitter: @HoopThreadsPod|@pr0ia|@tsollenne| @bilo_lc|@thelegitCEO
57:41
November 17, 2020

Episode 22: Coach Mike Jones of DeMatha Catholic Basketball
We spoke with Coach Jones about his journey as a player to now the coach at DeMatha, leadership principles, USAB Youth development, relationship-building, and much more.
0:40 Chicken sandwich review
2:00 Basketball Journey
7:00 Importance of having DM Alumni on staff
7:55 Potential
9:10 Expectations for first-year Stags
11:25 Leadership roles
13:10 Channeling competitive energy as a leader
15:15 Relationship-building within the community
17:20 Protecting family time
19:00 Events at DeMatha
21:25 Team-building and coaching the Capital Classic
23:20 What makes the DMV different
25:15 In the Water Documentary
29:25 Gameplan adjustments off opponent scouting
32:10 Who are the critics that matter?
36:10 Outlook for the 2020-2021 season
You can find Coach Jones on Twitter @DeMathaHoops and on Instagram @DeMathaBasketball
38:10
November 11, 2020

Episode 21: Colby Giacubeno and Houston Wilson of Prep Hoops
We spoke with two scouts about their journey, the offer process, recruiting, rankings, events, and asked them to give us some of the most underrated players in the DMV.
0:25 Basketball journey
7:06 What is one thing you’ve learned about in scouting that you wish you knew at the beginning?
10:45 Advice you often give to HS players?
13:00 Offers and the politics within
19:00 Czar of high school hoops
21:00 Rankings
26:00 Adjustments to rankings
29:09 Fit at the college level
32:30 Biggest rankings hits
33:30 What sets the DMV apart?
36:20 Important ingredients for a successful basketball event
38:30 Commonwealth Basketball Grass Routes Fall Series
40:15 Top 3 kids that don't hold an offer in the DMV
43:10 Young players with HM potential
46:00 Top 3 talent evaluators
49:00 DMV Underrated Dream Team
Rate/review/follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google,Twitter, Instagram, and more @HoopThreadsPod
Follow Houston @houston_wilson1 and Colby @ColbyGHoops on Twitter
53:46
November 04, 2020

Episode 20: NBA Roundtable Playoff Recap
We brought on the boys to discuss the playoffs, offseason storylines, and trade ideas.
Jordan Lyndaker: @bilo_LC
Tyler Sollenne: @tsollenne
Marcellus Bowie: @thelegitCEO
0:30 Postseason hits and misses
10:30 Trade ideas for discontent players
14:30 Clippers’ issues
18:20 Comparing LAC to ’11 Miami
24:10 Offseason Storylines
25:30 Jordan small market teams
32:00 Middle to Portland trade idea
38:40 Players looking to make a big jump
46:45 Tsolls made it through 45 mins without mentioning Luka
47:00 NBA commentator/talking head replacements
53:25
October 21, 2020

Episode 19: Kyle Williams of A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth
Kyle joined us to talk about his basketball roots, going from AAU dad to grassroots coordinator, details how A Long Talk got started, and talks candidly about what we can do on macro and micro levels to address the racial injustices happening every day.
Please take the time to connect @ALongTalk2020 Facebook/Twitter/Instagram, as well as Kyle's personal page @kylewilliamsD2i
1:20 Basketball roots
4:15 Growing up on the sidelines
9:45 AAU dad to grassroots coordinator
13:00 Sidwell Basketball
15:30 DC Protest leading to A Long Talk
18:45 Components of ALT
21:50 Misinformation
25:00 Disengaging for unproductive conversations
26:25 Ideologies broken down in ALT
28:42 Takeaway I want them to be on the right side of history clip
30:30 College campus outreach
36:30 Call to action for "allies"
39:20 Upcoming calls and Social Media (@ALongTalk2020 Facebook/Twitter/Instagram)
40:27
September 30, 2020

Episode 18: Osman Bangura of Team Durant
We spoke with Osman about his basketball playing journey, getting into the coaching profession, mentoring players, running events, PG county legends, and working for/coaching EYBL Team Durant.
1:47 2019 Made Hoops+ Durant content creators Jordan+Mac
3:02 Coaching/leadership style
5:07 Basketball Journey
9:07 Cleaning the bus
11:37 Injury adversity/end of playing career
18:27 Libyan National Team
20:27 Early coaching advice from John Lucas
21:47 Move as One: Beginnings of Team Durant
25:57 Not a checkbook, highlight KD’s involvement
30:02 Partnership with St James
32:07 St James Facilities/programs
33:52 MLK Tournament
38:02 I95 Coalition
41:37 AAU misnomers and relationships with area coaches
43:43 PG County legends
46:47 Legacy
49:07 Underrated Durant coach
49:47 Underrated Durant player
50:47 Sideline demeanor
51:27 Fall League
52:40
September 09, 2020

Episode 17: Maurice Kearney of SUNY Cortland MBB: Part 2
In Part 2 we discussed his early coaching years, working for the university's admissions department, recruiting insights, and creating lasting relationships as a Red Dragon.
1:05 What are you looking for in a Red Dragon?
3:20 SUNY Cortland
7:40 Red Dragon Athletics
13:00 Fieldhouse battles
16:40 Keeping it in the family
20:30 Wearing many hats as a DIII Coach
23:10 Area in coaching that has improved the most
26:45 Creating connections as an assistant
30:00 Honesty in recruiting
31:30 Advice
32:30 Big Haiti's growth
36:00 Blue Mountain and CMB trips
38:40 Current team
41:00 Learning the Cortland offensive+defensive principles
45:50 Cortland's Love and Basketball story
51:30 EDL and lasting relationships
55:25
September 02, 2020

Episode 17: Maurice Kearney of SUNY Cortland MBB: Part 1
In Part 1 of our conversation with Coach Mo we discussed his path to becoming a student-athlete at Cortland, his playing career, knowing and filling a role, playing and coaching under Cortland legend Tom Spanbauer, and deciding to turn down an out of state job upon graduation to finish up a degree and begin a career at SUNY Cortland.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1:09 2014 NBA Draft non-entry
1:34 Mo's love for the game
30:30 Choosing SUNY Cortland
11:38 His "Welcome to Cortland" moment
15:18 His game as a college student-athlete
18:58 Red Dragon family
22:09 Knowing and playing your role
24:35 2013 SUNYAC Championship team
30:49 Playing for Coach Spanbauer
35:00 Decision to stay at Cortland
39:13
September 02, 2020

Episode 16: Katie Kolinski of Lafayette WBB
We spoke with Katie about her basketball playing career, her time with Syracuse Men's Basketball, the impact Kobe Bryant made on her life, coaching full time through a pregnancy, player advocacy, and more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
00:58 Basketball beginnings
04:27 Takeaways from SU MBB coaching staff
6:24 Roles as a manager and GA
9:48 Different types of gym rats
12:44 What makes the Cuse zone different
14:14 Julie and the Boeheim family
16:32 What is Coach Boeheim like
19:03 Coaching players that don’t play like you
24:50 UB Director of Ops
26:30 Assistant Coach at Lafayette
28:17 Covid cancelling the season
30:00 Recruiting
33:21 Learning about the history of the program
34:33 Being pregnant during the pandemic
37:16 Speaking out on social justice
39:15 WNBA players sitting out season for change
41:38 Mentoring while being mentored
43:12 Support of Cuse nation
44:27 Do you feel like you have made it
46:48
August 19, 2020

Episode 15: NBA Playoff Preview Roundtable with Jordan Lyndaker, Tyler Sollenne, and Marcellus Bowie
We brought on the boys to discuss their team's chances in the playoffs, sleeper picks, Finals predictions
Jordan Lyndaker: @bilo_LC
Tyler Sollenne: @tsollenne
Marcellus Bowie: @thelegitCEO
00:47 Opening arguments for their team to win a championship
4:22 Underrated x-factor on one of the top 3 teams in either conference
7:56 Playoff hot take or prediction
19:45 Finals predictions
29:01 Celtics talk
33:01 Marcellus talks Blazers individual matchups
34:41 Jordan’s Finals picks
47:05
August 15, 2020

Episode 14: James Williams of Between the Lines Sports Part II
In Part two of our conversation with James Williams of Between the Lines Sports, we learned more on his early days in scouting, grassroots basketball, and the future of BTL Sports
1:00:52
0:10 G League work influencing grassroots scouting
2:38 Early scouting days
10:28 Open-minded scouting
22:31 Mindset of today’s elite athletes being different
26:05 Underrated figure in the grassroots basketball space
27:13 If I owned an NBA franchise
29:57 TJ Warren+ Phoenix Suns love
30:54 Future of BTL
34:37 Georgia talent
37:05 Nothing like mama’s cooking
Follow James at @BTLHoops on Twitter and Instagram, btlscouting.org
38:17
August 12, 2020

Episode 14: James Williams of Between the Lines Sports Part I
In Part One we speak with James about his experiences with the Canton Charge (G-League) and Atlanta Krunk (ABA). He also shares his experiences to lend insight to aspiring basketball minds looking to break through in the industry.
6:02 Atlanta Krunk
13:00 Athletes in Action- China
16:12 Pursuing a career in basketball
25:50 Working for the Canton Charge
45:04 Players being prepared for opportunity
47:35 Importance of resiliency
Follow James at @BTLHoops on Twitter and Instagram, btlscouting.org
01:00:56
August 12, 2020

Episode 13: Graham Bousley of George Washington University
We spoke with Graham about his high school playing days at Campbell Hall High school with the Holidays brothers, working under Bo Ryan at Wisconsin, stops at VCU and Rice before landing full-time assistant jobs working for Jamion Christian at Mount St. Mary's, Siena, and now George Washington. We also got his thoughts on mentorship, accountability, recruiting, and much more.
0:39 Campbell Hall
3:21 The Holiday's: upbringing, competitiveness, breaking backboards
8:43 Picking Wisconsin
12:03 Learning from Coach Ryan
13:53 Wisconsin to VCU
16:00 Working on a star-studded VCU staff
18:02 Recruiting, evaluating, being mentored
20:55 DOBO at Rice
24:00 Scheduling
25:11 Building success at Mount St. Mary's and Siena
28:00 Transitioning to GW, coaching staff roles
30:29 Leadership Program at GW
32:01 Love is accountability, accountability is love
35:15 Grading possessions
37:02 Recruiting and current roster
41:34 Embracing competition in a team setting
43:12 Standards vs goals
44:37 GW 360
46:22 Importance of mentorship in your career path
48:07 There is no template for evaluation
50:30 Indigo love
51:16 GW elevator pitch
52:57
August 05, 2020

Episode 12: Joseph Gill of Mercenary Analytics Part I
Joe discusses his basketball career, early interest in statistics, his process, and intrinsic values
00:53 Basketball
3:27 High school matchups
5:09 Scouting leading to working in analytics
10:17 Protecting your intellectual property
11:53 Optimizing his process
16:57 Process of working with clients and creating individualized plans
22:10 Gap between analytics community and basketball purists
31:04 Working with someone who likes the game of basketball but plays for money vs player who loves the game of basketball, and plays for the love of the game
41:40 What makes Steph Curry successful
50:08 Most efficient offensive team in history
53:24
July 29, 2020

Episode 12: Joseph Gill of Mercenary Analytics Part II
00:05 Basketball is a game of markets
11:35 "What killed him was the laughter" efficiency story
22:40 Player who is called overpaid that isn't
27:15 The NBA Twitter community
28:52 Owning cold takes, followed by blasphemous Luka take
31:40 Jon Tauer: background, success, program staples
40:10 George Floyd and civil unrest in Joseph's hometown of Minneapolis
47:50 Toeing the line between blunt honesty on Twitter and sabotaging potential client relationships
53:15 Future of Merc Analytic
57:40 Turnaround for reports
01:00:38
July 29, 2020

Episode 11: Johnnie Izquierdo
We spoke with Johnnie about his beginnings in photography, mental health, collective vs individual work, and some of his favorite work
00:00:47 Beginnings in photography
00:10:28 Mental health
00:12:57 Support and inspiration
00:11:53 Mindset
00:15:48 Navigating the business
00:17:44 Relationships with photography subjects
00:20:36 Favorite moments
00:23:31 NYC Covid Video
00:28:01 The Unreleased Collection
00:30:34 Lessons learned from athletes
00:33:56 Collective vs Individual work
00:35:13 Peach Jam atmosphere
00:36:44 Shooting in different areas of the country
00:38:25 The moment he felt like he made it
00:41:22 Parting shots
43:01
July 22, 2020

Episode 10: Coleman Ayers of By Any Means
We spoke with Coleman about his time at St. John's, visual recaps, his documentary, training, running a business, and more
00:00:26 Basketball beginnings, early days of BAM
00:05:44 Visual recaps, By Any Means media
00:09:58 Running the City Documentary
00:15:20 Breakdown Video concepts
00:17:01 Coleman's favorite IG follows
00:18:45 Calculated Chaos
00:20:51 The comeback of basketball-specific athletes
00:23:50 Relationship with trainees
00:26:14 Discussing injustice with athletes
00:29:40 The business side of BAM
00:33:04 BAM gym
00:35:25 Time Management
00:37:34 SJC dream team
00:38:28 Avoiding the evaluation side of the basketball business
00:39:43 What makes the DMV different
00:42:24 BAM accounts
00:43:17 Underrated food spot
43:43
July 15, 2020

Episode 9: Mark Bialkoski of Maryland Men's Basketball
00:00:38 Basketball beginnings
00:03:59 Setting up the military appreciation game at Charlotte
00:05:36 Fatherhood and its impact on coaching
00:07:34 Transition from Charlotte to UMD
00:09:35 Adding value as a video coordinator
00:12:37 The many hats of a college DOBO
00:14:15 Quote about comm with players clip
00:15:37 Figuring out HC needs with a limited prior relationship
00:17:40 Effects of Covid-19 on college basketball
00:24:38 Final 5s
00:27:52 Criticism on Maryland's recruitment of DMV players
00:31:28 The importance of regional connections for assistant coaches
00:34:17 Following a legend
00:36:41 Developmental history of Terps under Coach Turgeon
00:40:37 NBA Draft prep
00:44:36 Anthony Cowan
00:46:32 Quarantine hobbies
00:48:10 What makes the DMV different
49:59
July 02, 2020

Episode 8: Johnny Carpenter of Virginia Men's Basketball
We spoke with Johnny about growing up in the DMV, his basketball philosophy, working for an NBA team, and learning under one of the brightest minds in basketball.
00:01:04 Professional beginnings
00:07:36 Coach Bennett's communication with players
00:09:24 Learning from Rick Carlisle
00:12:26 Approaches to help players that struggle with remembering plays
00:16:35 The 5 Pillars of UVA MBB
00:19:54 UVA's recruiting style
00:25:49 The offer process
00:30:50 Development keys
00:32:38 Money John Wooden quote
00:34:18 Practice time allotment
00:37:04 Casey Morsell projection
00:38:25 Kyle Guy's mental health triumph
00:39:37 Redemption from UMBC loss
00:43:33 2014-2015 Hoos running out of luck
00:48:24 Playing styles that give the pack line trouble
00:50:46 Fighting the "UVA is boring" narrative
00:53:56 Response to Charlottesville unrest and the current climate
00:56:40 Staples of the future Coach Carpenter program
00:58:59 What sets Coach Bennett apart
01:01:05 Book recommendations
01:03:31 What sets the DMV apart
01:04:39 Advice to listeners
01:06:41
June 27, 2020

Episode 7: Kyle Jakobe of Sweat Performance/Poly/East Coast Bump
We spoke with Kyle about his basketball career, training high school to professional athletes, working for Poly Hoops, and organizing East Coast Bump
00:00:46 Basketball beginnings
00:10:32 College career
00:15:03 Genesis of training career
00:18:48 Developing relationships/trust with athletes
00:21:44 Indicators for successful athletes
00:30:16 Fundamental Drill-stealing
00:33:20 Criticism he's grown from
00:36:02 Motivating athletes
00:40:05 Importance of supporting your athletes: Ray Rice
00:45:09 East Coast Bump
00:49:19 Baltimore+ the DMV
00:53:04 The importance of competition and learning from failure
00:58:13 Discipline
01:01:17 Poly
01:04:33 Avoiding claiming ownership of athletes' success
01:06:40 KJ Evans
01:09:57 Underrated players in the Baltimore area
01:13:30 Advice to parents and kids
01:14:37 The importance of examining your circle
01:15:12
June 23, 2020

Episode 6: Alec Kinsky of The Season Ticket
Alec came on to discuss his beginnings in the industry, roles with TSP/SportsEngine, the creation of The Season Ticket, Grassroots basketball, and more.
00:00:27 Beginnings
02:07 TSP/SportsEngine
06:22 Player's Health
11:17 Marketing
14:46 Relationships with coaches/players/audience
18:37 Developing staff
21:44 Initial difficulties
00:26:30 Interviews- Hoop Diamonds
29:10 Rankings
31:25 Closers
33:04 The Season Ticket
34:30 Misconsceptions
37:27 Grassroots basketball changes
38:23 Athletes and their platform
40:03 Following legends
42:02 AAU and HS coaches
45:20 Best grassroots team that didn't win a title
46:30 Alonzo Trier Island
47:18 What makes the DMV different
48:21 Biggest AAU What-If
49:24 Underrated players
52:12 Underrated coaches
53:42 Favorite moments
55:20 Peach Jam reflections
56:11
June 10, 2020

Episode 5: Ray Brewer and Ibn Muhammad
Ray and Ibn came on to discuss their basketball journeys, the early days of SDC training, their involvement with Team Takeover, and issues that grassroots/high school basketball face. Technical difficulties towards the end, but they gave some phenomenal answers all the way through to the end.
0:30 Ray and Ty Lawson
2:40 Ibn on his high school hoops
3:25 Ray's high school and prep career
6:50 Beginnings of Stay the Course Training
15:30 The mentorship of trainees, starting with Ibn in juco
18:45 Player experiences informing coaching
21:18 What makes the DMV different
30:01 TTO: It's just different
36:01 Scrimmages
39:00 TTO Alumni reinvesting in youth
41:50 Roster selection/recruiting
43:46 The importance of great role players
49:10 Misconceptions about AAU guys
54:03 HS basketball fixes
57:41 AAU's benefits for showcasing talent for college coaches
59:20 AAU bump
1:02:30 Hype music
01:04:00 Not-quick quick hitters
01:13:20 In the Water thoughts
01:15:41
May 29, 2020

Episode 4: Adam Ayalew of Prep Hoops
Adam speaks on high school hoops, scouting, recruiting, AAU, his career with Prep Hoops, future ambitions, and even some local eats!
:40 Coming up at Lake Braddock, Roanoke College, with Prep Hoops
2:40 Best advice he's gotten
5:00 Advice to high school players
6:14 Scouting, writing, photography, video
8:24 Ethics in the scoop business
9:30 Local media members
11:27 Unique approach to covering events
12:06 Talking about Prep Hoops Local Rankings
13:30 Czar of HS hoops
15:35 Transfer culture at HS and college level
17:00 HS live period impact, pros and cons
19:00 The timing of college scholarship offers
21:25 Importance of presentability
22:55 Talent scout role models and observations
24:05 What goes into covering a game
25:20 Favorite events
27:10 What sets the DMV apart
28:00 First hidden gem he saw in the DMV
29:27 Most fun player to cover
30:43 Underrated local college assistant
31:38 Top 3 Twitter follows
34:00 10 Underrated players in the area
37:41 DMV eats
39:05 Long-term goals and ambitions
40:00 Legacy and impact, Adam's "why"
41:18
May 28, 2020

Episode 3: Jake in the Paint
We spoke with Jake about being born in NYC, coming up in the DMV, covering all star games and high school basketball, and the NBA Draft.Guest appearance from both of his parents to discuss his growth as a media member and draft guy
00:00:40 Growing up in NYC
00:03:29 Covering the McDonald's All American Game
00:08:00 Balancing his classwork and hoops
00:09:00 AAU and youth basketball memories
00:14:10 What makes the DMV different
00:17:21 Commitment announcements
00:19:41 Switching from high school hoops to draft coverage
00:23:30 Staying out of the scoop business
00:26:27 Papa Rosen roasts the Bills and Jake's bracket predictions
00:32:00 Janine Rosen speaks on MCDAAG and his development as a media member
00:38:23 Jake wants all the smoke with NBADraft.net
00:39:36 Jake's Kira Lewis moment, we knew it was coming
00:41:40 Jake responds to some of my favorite NBA prospects
00:44:06 Jake sells Deni Avdija and Aleksej Pokusevski
00:49:50 Prospect hits and misses
00:53:15 Jake on nonphysical traits that make players successful
00:55:17 Jake on the importance of not comparing
00:58:35 Predicting new trends in the NBA
00:59:30 Drafting a 10-man roster with players drafted outside of the top 15 in the past 3 drafts
01:02:00 Landing spots for Mac McClung
01:03:30 Jahmius Ramsey takes
01:08:00 Jake's most underrated player in the DMV
01:10:49
May 20, 2020

Episode 2: Marcellus Bowie of Legit Stats
Interview #2 was with the CEO of the area's largest statistics company, Legit Stat's Marcellus Bowie. We spoke about DMV Hoops, his own basketball career, his business' journey, and the issues that the high school landscape faces
50:39
May 20, 2020

Episode 1: Marc Stern of Capitol Hoops
Marc speaks on Capitol Hoops' roots in the basketball community, some of the favorite players that he's covered, the process of covering a game and cutting up footage to create a highlight, running Summer League, and his new line of Capitol Hoops face masks
7:50 The Capitol Hoops process: event coverage and media production
17:30 Running the Summer League at DeMatha
25:30 An underrated coach in the area
27:33 What sets the DMV apart
29:40 A player whose legacy isn't well-recognized
33:00 Memorable Highlight Plays
36:28 Highlight factories' impact on the game
38:20 Image and Likeness
41:20 High school hoops scene
45:07 The development of the Capitol Hoops team
48:30 Speaking on docuseries and documentaries
52:29
May 19, 2020