A Hoops Journey

A Hoops Journey

A podcast that explores the journey of people whose lives have been shaped by basketball. Hosted by Aaron Mitchell.

Episodes

October 10, 2025 76 mins

Taking things behind the scenes with the side of our game that cannot be overlooked: strength and conditioning. Episode 169 has us sit down with current Lake City Stars and Canada Basketball Strength Coach, Garrett Blakey.

Garrett’s story is great; he has had strokes of luck but within that a lot of hard work and determination has him where he currently is. Fresh off the 2024 Paris games we go back a bit a...

Mark as Played

If you are any sort of hoops junkie, then this is an episode for you! Carly Clarke has been a U Sport athlete, Coach of the year, National  Champion and led a team to an UNDEFEATED season. On top of that, Carly has been steadily involved with our Women’s National program, where she most recently has come off leading Canada to the U23 Global Jam Gold Medal!

A proud and true “East Coaster”, Carly developed a...

Mark as Played
September 12, 2025 87 mins

We go back and have a part two episode with a guest who last time was just coming off coaching the London Lightning and overseas in Asia, to now being the Head Coach (CEBL COY) and General Manager of the Vancouver Bandits, Kyle Julius. 

This episode has it all, we answer a bunch of questions from the listeners, from the state of hoops in BC, to club ball, to what it takes to play or coach at the next level...

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August 22, 2025 72 mins

Episode 166 takes us all the way to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Manny Dosanjh finds himself as an assistant coach with Western Michigan! 

Manny has a great journey, starting in Brampton, Ontario, with immigrant parents who allowed him to explore his interests in the game. Manny loved hooping and found himself to be talented, earning a scholarship to a small JUCO in Michigan.  After JC Manny walked on at Ora...

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August 8, 2025 56 mins

Finally, AHJ has the chance to connect with current @canadabasketball 3x3 player and overseas pro, Grant Audu. We were grateful to carve out some time with Grant as he was just back from a huge 3x3 circuit.

Grant has a great journey, from figuring out where to go for school in the States to coming home and playing ball at UBC, he’s proud of how far he has come and has some reflection that could have change...

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July 23, 2025 54 mins

BUCKETS AND BORDERS! A surprise mid-week episode as we have the opportunity to talk with Justin Lee, one of the many leaders behind B and B.

DISCLAIMER - Those in the local Vancouver community, get down to Brit Secondary, July 26th for the court reveal . The day starts at 11:00AM and we need the Hoop Heads out!

In a short amount of time, Buckets and Borders has gone from a pair of twin brother...

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July 11, 2025 75 mins

Episode 163 is here, and we have the chance to sit down with one of the best from BC, current @cebl and overseas pro Mr. Mason Bourcier! 

For those not aware, Mason comes from an (all things considered) small town, Kelowna, BC. Guys like Parker Simpson and girls like Taya Hanson were the ones Mason noticed early on and who he attached to. From there a deep, hard working mentality, almost obsessive is what ...

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June 27, 2025 65 mins

Warrick Manners! A Humber legend, and the ultimate “glue guy”, we go back with Warrick who is the current assistant coach at Humber where it all began for him.

Basketball started not being something Warrick was overly interested in, he enjoyed running around the streets, playing hockey and hanging with his friends, however once he started to play he couldn’t get enough. 

After a couple of toug...

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May 23, 2025 63 mins

Emily Potter is a proud Manitoban, a stud hooper and a long time member of Canada basketball! Her journey starts out at a young age being addicted to ringette, loving the game and what came with it but also realizing she was super competitive as well!

After a few long seasons of Ringette and being 5’11 in Grade 9, Emily figured she would give hoops a try and it was over from there. That summer she tried ou...

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May 9, 2025 51 mins

Right alongside our mental health episode with the @kevinlovefoundation this might be our most important one ever! Mitch has the opportunity to sit down with friend and guest Scott Morrison to discuss hoops and life! 

This episode is different though, after a brief catchup on a recent vacation, the Jazz, NBA playoffs and Canada basketball hire Gordie Herbert, we dive into an important topic and week coming...

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May 2, 2025 98 mins

TRIPLE OG time! Yes, you recognize this man from being a @cfl superstar on the field, grey cup champion, former Oregon Duck and current TSN @nfl and @cfl analyst! HOWEVER, what you might not know is Davis first love was and still is hoops!

Chez was a problem on the court in high school, guarding and attacking the rim, causing havoc all over the place and letting everyone know about it! After a great high school career Davis played ...

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April 17, 2025 67 mins

What timing and opportunity to sit down with recent USPORT DPOY, Final 8 MVP and National Champion Sam Maillet! The Acadian named Maillet gives Mitch a quick education on his name and family history, setting the table for a fantastic episode.

Growing up in Moncton, New Brunswick has lots of advantages and disadvantages, and Sam isn’t afraid to discuss. The personal pride and community feel were apparent to Sam, and once he started ...

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April 3, 2025 67 mins

Mr. Consistency! Once you tap into Episode 157 with Adam Paige, you realize you have a bright, hard-working and talented young man on your hands! From high school days dominating at Semiahmoo Secondary, to carrying his team all the way to the Provincial finals, to being named top defensive player of the tournament, to 5 years at storied University of Alberta (where he was a league all star multiple times, AND academic award winne...

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March 21, 2025 105 mins

Back-to-back episodes with people in the industry! You got it, today we chip it up with long-time hoop and sports head, Raptors analyst and super dope human, Eric Smith!

This is one of those episodes Mitch felt like he could just sit back and listen, stories for days, reflections on life and how you work your way through a tough industry, and many, many experiences within the game of hoops!

If you follow the NBA or the Raptors at a...

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March 7, 2025 70 mins

Out on the West Coast today it’s “Final 4 Friday” at the BC Boys Provincials, and this week we have a guest who played high school ball in the Lower Mainland, turning his love for sport into an entire career, Brad Fay!

You most likely know the name but not the story, as stated Brad comes from Vancouver and was a huge hockey fan and player in his super young years. As he got older basketball became a love for him as he tagged along ...

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February 21, 2025 76 mins

Sometimes it’s human nature to wake up and start our day with a negative mindset, and throughout that day we can sometimes feel sorry for ourselves or see the glass as half empty. I would push you to sit down and check out this episode with @kurjonkuch, and realize that life is really about perspective.

A Sudanese refugee, a family torn apart, to Kenya and back, which led to hard decisions made by his father, eventually landing in ...

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February 7, 2025 78 mins

Warren Ward. If you take one thing away from this powerful episode, it’s when you see the name don’t just think “hooper.” Think businessman, brother, son, friend and a growing human.

Episode 153 has us go back with one of the coldest U Sport hoopers we have seen, an absolute walking bucket (who could also guard, don’t get it twisted), and an all-time leading scorer at the University of Ottawa.

Having a late start to the game didn’t...

Mark as Played
January 24, 2025 64 mins

Disclaimer: Huge props to JCD who has recently signed his first ever pro contract with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL! Let’s get it!

This is a super unique story; one of hoop lineage from both mom and dad, of heartbreak and sadness at an early age, one of resilience, one of seeing the light and to keep on fighting.

Jack grew up in a fun and active house, sharing space with not only his immediate family but his cousins as well. At an ...

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January 10, 2025 74 mins

What’s the definition of work? Or never giving up? Or always believing? Look no further, episode 151 with a BC UNDERRATED (yes in capital letters) guard, Mr. Diego Kapelan.

Growing up in one of the most unique locations of Vancouver, combined with an immigrant family, it wasn’t always easy for Diego to figure out what he wanted. With that said once basketball was introduced to him it was over, his main stay and favorite sport it wa...

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December 27, 2024 93 mins

Wow! Tap in today! Mitch sits down with a young up-and-coming coach, former D2 hooper and huge Lil Wayne fan, Mike Provenzano!

Mike and his family have deep roots in the Ontario hoops scene and the sport has been in his blood for a long time. Growing up he would follow his dad to practices and games finding a love for the game that would never go away.

At a young age Mike started to realize he could be pretty good at hoops and bega...

Mark as Played

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