A Hoops Journey – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Hoop heads get ready for an episode that can’t be missed! So fortunate to have a guest fresh off the Olympic experience! Although raw and some tough memories, James gives us some amazing insight and thoughts about Team Canada and the Paris Olympics!

James DePoe is a GTA and Humber Hawk through and through, plus our current Men’s Senior National Team Manager. The former baseball player and semi-hooper has fond memories of growing up in Toronto watching many famous players at the high school level during the prime time of hoops in the city.

After spending lots of time trying to figure out what he wanted to do after high school, James found himself in the radio program at Humber, from there a former teammate asked him to come be the manager of the Hawks Men’s basketball team and his life turned for a path he couldn’t have imagined!

Currently, James finds himself not only the full-time manager for the Senior Men’s team he also has an important role at Humber College, mentoring young up-and-coming managers all while running the college facilities as well. Recently he was nominated for being one of Humber’s top 50 most influential staff members, a great accomplishment to say the least!

The stories James brings are amazing; from all the warriors who have fought for Canada Basketball, to times on the road, amazing wins, and lots more. Tap into this one, James is a thoughtful and motivated person in his field all while impacting many along the way, we really appreciate him being with us!

James DePoe - Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-depoe-4a505660/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.depoe/

Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 141 with former UBC TBIRD shooting guard and current overseas pro, Jess Hanson. Mitch and Jess go way back, probably further than you can imagine! Since her early days Jess was surrounded by basketball, her dad a former collegiate star and current UBC Men’s head coach, plus her mom being an NAIA standout it’s no surprise basketball was the pick!

That said, other sports had a chance and Jess found track very intriguing, however, basketball was the choice and she never looked back. After some great high school seasons at Little Flower Academy including making the Provincial Final, Jess worked through the recruiting process and ended up choosing UBC. You might say to yourself “Duh” but there’s more to it, Jess wasn’t a guarantee to attend UBC and other schools were on her doorstep. In the end, Jess decided to stay home, becoming a Can-West all-star and much more!

We wish Jess the best as she gets ready to head over to Portugal for another season of professional hoops. This episode was so fun, with some insightful conversations and more! Tap in!

Jess Hanson - Guest https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessica-hanson/7557

Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 133 with 2024 Canada West All-Rookie, Adam Olsen. It was fun to sit down with the recently drafted Vancouver Bandit to talk further about his high school years and rookie season.

Born and raised in South Surrey and being the youngest of three Adam learned to be a competitor and loved the game at an early age. From there and with a big growth spurt the UBC Forward found a group of buddies for life all on the same block, which ended up becoming the Elgin Park High School team. Under the guidance of legends Kirk Homenick (CC: @hardbitechips) and Mike McDonnell, the Orcas made two straight trips to the BC’s with deep runs.

After a successful Grade 11 year, playing on Team B.C. and seeing the AAU scene, Adam took time going back and forth about where he wanted to go, in the end deciding early in his grade 12 year that the T-Birds were the right place for him. Last season was one of personal growth both physically and mentally with Adam finding himself playing key minutes for a majority of the season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. He reflects on what he has learned, the power of routines and gives really good advice to young players about what’s appropriate to send to a post-secondary coach and what’s not.

After his upcoming off-season with the Bandits under the guidance of Kyle Julius, Adam is excited to get back with UBC and see if they can make it to the Final 8 consistently once again! We know Adam is just getting started and we wish him all the best in his future, more to come!

Ep. 133 is live, tap in!

To see more of the work Josh has made you can find it on his website https://www.joshkahn.tv/.

We thank Josh for being with us!

Tap in!

Adam Olsen https://www.instagram.com/adam_0lsen https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/adam_olsen

Aaron Mitchell - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Jordie McTavish joins us for Episode 45 of A Hoops Journey. He may not say it, but we will: he is one of the best guards to not just come out of BC, but to come out of Canada period. What a story we have for you folks, as he recaps a short but great playing career, starting with humble beginnings in the small town of Salmon Arm, winning a provincial MVP, playing for the controversial Rick Majerus, his National team experience, and dealing with injuries that ultimately ended his career. Despite that, Jordie has such a great story - all those who do know this man could ball out - and we know you'll enjoy these two old friends chopping it up!

pisode 44 features current Langara College Men's Basketball Head Coach - Paul Eberhardt. A coaching career that has now spanned over 40 years at the high school, college and national team level, Paul Eberhardt has been a staple in BC Boys basketball, serving in various capacities, winning provincial titles at both the high school level and in the PACWEST. This episode could've gone on for 4 hours just about ketchup on hot dogs, the GOAT debate, and Ace of Base. Folks, if you love BC Hoops, this is the episode for you!

THE Canadian coaching legend Ken Shields joins us for Episode 43. Get out the pen and notebook folks, as this episode was an absolute masterclass in coaching and team building. The Beaver Lodge born and Prince Rupert raised coaching icon sits down with us to reflect on an absolute prodigious career - developing an a dynasty on Vancouver Island, Canada Olympic coaching, coaching all over the world in various capacities and a cup of coffee in the NBA. An Order of Canada recipient, UVIc Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Canada Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, a James Naismith Award winner, a multiple CIS/USPORT Coach of the Year winner - we think this list speaks for itself.

Jamaican born big man Michael Meeks joins us for Episode 42 of A Hoops Journey. The Ontario raised Olympian is another member of the iconic 2000 Canadian Men's basketball team, but his story is so much more than that; a prodigious pro career all over Europe and being a walking bucket at Division 1 and leading the Canisius College Golden Griffins to their only NCAA appearance. An ode to a Brazilian legend, crazy European stories, a technical mishap - the current Manager of Youth Player Development for Canada Basketball has a story you HAVE to listen to!

With Episode 41 we chat with the most accomplished guest we've had so far, hailing from Mission, Kim Smith Gaucher. The Heritage Park Highlander is a 3-time Provincial Champ, 2-time Provincial MVP, a 4-time MWC Conference Player of the year, Associated Press All-American, a 3-time Kodak All-America HM; all at the University of Utah. She is the first female to have her jersey retired by the Utes, and currently is a professional overseas in the France women's league with USO Mondeville. With multiple medals and national team appearances in both the Junior and Senior team capacity since 2006, the 13th overall pick 2006 WNBA Draft sits down with us to reflect on a storied career, from the Heritage Park dynasty of the 00's, the importance of playing against older and better players, to wearing the maple leaf and representing Canada, Kim has been a great example for not just young female hoopers, but to the entire Canadian hoops landscape. We are bring the HEAT with this episode!

Two Scott Morrison's are always better than one; as Scott Morrison, the former Argyle Piper and Portland State Viking joins us for Episode 40. The North Shore native reflects on the impact of coaches like Glen Chu, the culture building and player development done at Argyle in the early 2000's and Scott's transition into Division 1 basketball at Portland State. Plus, he outlines a long and prodigious professional career all over Europe - from Hungary, to Estonia, to Okinawa - we can definitely call his journey a hoops one. Episode 40, in the books, we know you'll love this episode!

We were in Nanaimo last week, so we hop in the car and drive down to Victoria to chat with former UVic Vike and national team player, Phil Ohl. The proud Vancouver Island native explicates a basketball career with humble beginnings, culminating in a national team and professional career overseas, and now using his experiences to foster leadership in small business leaders. A journey full of highs and lows, battling both personal and professional adversity; folks, we know you will enjoy this episode!