3on3 Hoops Pod

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with USA Basketball 3x3 National Team player Mitchell Hahn to talk about what it’s really like playing 3x3 at the highest level.

From competing on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour to winning gold medals with Team USA, Mitchell shares what makes 3x3 basketball different — and why more players and coaches are starting to pay attention.

We cover:
• The biggest differences...

3x3 basketball is gaining serious momentum — and it’s not just us saying it anymore.

After two powerful interviews with Martin Dyan (Rise 3x3 UK) and Coach Ras Vanderloo (USA Basketball), we started noticing something: coaches around the world are all saying the same thing… 3x3 basketball is becoming a real movement.

In this episode, we break down the biggest takeaways from those conversations and talk about why m...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Ras Vanderloo, longtime head coach at Sioux City East High School, USA Basketball coach, and one of the most respected voices in high school basketball.

Coach Vanderloo has:

- Over 300 wins as a head coach (as of February 2026)
- Multiple state tournament appearances
- Named the State of Iowa Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2023.
- USA Ba...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we take the conversation international.

We’re joined by Martin Dyan, founder and CEO of Rise 3x3 in the UK — a year-round 3x3 basketball organization dedicated to growing the game from grassroots to elite.

Martin shares:

- How 3x3 first captured him
- The emotional story behind his first tournament
- Why he believes 3x3 is more than just a format
- The ch...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Marcus Ludwig, head assistant coach for the boys varsity program at Baldwinsville High School in Syracuse, NY, for an honest, coach-to-coach conversation about growth, perspective, and player development.

This episode is for middle school, JV, and varsity coaches — especially those early in their coaching journey who are still figuring things out.

We ta...

Homeschool 3x3 basketball, skills clinics, and a different approach to player development.

In this episode, Kevin and Coach J talk through what they’re building with each one of their 3on3 basketball programs and the 3on3 Hoops Nation — including homeschool 3x3 play labs, skills clinics, and why 3v3 continues to be one of the best teachers of the game.

This is a wide-open conversation about:
• Using 3v3 to dev...

In this continuation of our Coaches Q&A series, Kevin Roberts and Coach J dig into the questions every coach eventually faces but rarely talks about openly:

- How do I keep growing without a mentor?

- How do I get my players to play more aggressively?

- How do I balance development and winning?

- How do I keep players motivated when minutes aren’t equal?

- And how do I deal with pare...

In Part 1 of our Coaches Q&A series, Coach Kev and Coach J get real about the questions every youth coach faces but rarely admits:

- How do I know when I’m coaching too much?

- How do I get players to think for themselves without losing structure?

- What’s the right balance between teaching and letting them play?

- Why communication (not drills) can make or break a team culture.

If y...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, Coach Kevin and Coach J unpack one of the biggest coaching traps in youth basketball: overcoaching.

They share real stories from their own sidelines about how constant talking and correcting can actually slow down player growth, and why the best coaches often say less and observe more.

You’ll hear how silence, patience, and trust can unlock confidence and leadership in players, and how 3on3 bask...

In Part 2 of our interview with Olympic coach and mental toughness expert Shawnee Harle, we dive deeper into the psychology of sports:

- Why confidence is overrated and the real difference between confidence and self-esteem

- How athletes can replace the “voice of fear” with their “voice of courage”

- What bench players should really be learning when they’re not on the court

- Why coaches must fa...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Shawnee Harle, one of the most respected mental toughness coaches in basketball. 

With over 30 years of elite coaching experience, including two Olympics with Team Canada, Shawnee shares her powerful insights on:

- Why athletes lose confidence under pressure

- The truth about the “emotional storm” players face in big moments

- Why “Fake it till ...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we mix things up and cover a little bit of everything happening in the world of basketball and coaching:

Big3 Champions & Takeaways — Our thoughts on the championship game, storylines from this season, and get into a little 1v1 basketball discussion.
Youth Basketball Growth — Coach J shares big news about his new league partnership and how it’s creating more opportunities for ...

Confidence can make or break a young player’s development, on and off the court. 

In this episode, Kevin and Coach J dive deep into why kids lose confidence in basketball, the subtle signs coaches and parents should watch for, and practical ways to help players rebuild their belief in themselves. From personal stories to real coaching strategies, we cover everything from body language and missed shots to off-the-court pressures like...

In this episode, we step inside the Basketball Film Room to break down real game footage and reveal why so many 5-on-5 mistakes happen and how 3-on-3 habits naturally fix them. Coach Kevin and Coach J walk through specific plays while focusing on spacing, decision-making, communication, and reading the defense.

Whether you are a coach, parent, or player, you will walk away with practical takeaways you can apply right away and see wh...

In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite conversations with legendary USA Basketball coach Don Showalter. A 10-time gold medal winner and one of the most respected leaders in youth development, Coach Showalter has coached countless NBA stars before they became household names.

We talk about:

- Why 3on3 is such a powerful teaching tool for basketball

- How it accelerates player development at every ...

In this solo episode, Coach Kevin opens up about his personal journey from falling in love with basketball as a kid, to rediscovering his purpose through coaching, to launching a 3on3 league that’s giving overlooked players new hope.

If you're a coach, parent, or player who's ever questioned the youth basketball system or wondered if there’s a better way...this one’s for you.

Download our free 3on3 drill...

Episode 33 of the 3on3 Hoops Pod is here, and we couldn’t let “33” go by without making it something special.

This episode is your 3on3 Starter Kit -how to begin using 3on3 in your practices, in your driveway, or at the park with your kids.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why 3on3 accelerates player development
• The best formats and rules to start with
• How coaches can blend 3on3 into practice
• What mindset makes 3on3 most effective

👉 Get...

What do college coaches really look for in high school players... and how can 3on3 basketball help prepare them?

In this episode, we’re joined by Coach Kendrick Wilson - former college coach, player, and now a consultant for high school and college programs. Coach Wilson breaks down how the game is evolving, what it really means to be a “smart player,” and why 3on3 basketball is such a powerful teaching tool.

We t...

What exactly is basketball IQ...and how do you teach it?

In this episode, Kevin and Coach J break down what makes a player “smart” on the court, and why 3on3 basketball is the fastest way to develop high-IQ players. From spacing and anticipation to decision-making and communication, we cover the traits that separate good players from great ones....and give coaches and parents real ways to develop those skills.

Plus:

• Signs of low a...