A Hoops Journey

Episode 170 - From Gatorade All-Ameican to topD1 recruit, finding the right program, coming back to play for Canada and thriving overseas, with Kyle Wiltjer

Episode 170 is live!
- 3 Oregon State Championships 
- 2011 McDonald’s All-American 
- University of Kentucky (2012 National Champion)
- Gonzaga University (A cool 20.6 and 6 RPG in his senior year) 
- Houston Rockets
- 10+ years as an overseas pro, and still rolling
The overall resume has to be one of the best we’ve seen on AHJ, but the dude we chop it up with is even better. Kyle Wiltjer grew up with a dad who put Canada first, and although Greg started hoops late at age 18, he ended up having a storied career as well, an example for Kyle to see and possibly follow!
As stated, that set the tone as Kyle grew up in Oregon, attending Jesuit high school and really flourishing as a player, BUT….he was a dual citizen and was available to play for Canada. Since then, the 6’10 shooter has played for the National Team many times; however Kyle has found himself back with the Senior squad after a short break, and as you will hear, it means a lot to him.
Between the Canada basketball experiences, Kyle attended two of the best NCAA programs in Kentucky and Gonzaga, and we discuss what it was like playing for both those coaching legends, and the style they brought! 
Wiltj comes across “cool as a fan”, but don’t get it twisted, this is one of Canada’s finest ever and an episode worth checking out. We chopped it up while on the road in Romania, so we really do appreciate Kyle’s time being with us! Tap in!
#ahoopsjourney
#podcast
#canadabasketball
#kylewiltjer
#gonzagabulldogs
#kentuckywildcats
Kyle Wiltjer - Guest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Wiltjer
https://www.instagram.com/kwiltj
https://x.com/kwiltj
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ 
 

Episode 169 - The steps to becoming a S&C coach. Team Canada and the G League with Garrett Blakey

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 and discuss the special personalities on that team, and what the Olympics meant to him.
Mitch and Garrett discuss the current climate of S and C, what athletes and families should be looking for and so much more. This is great one, and we are grateful to Garrett for his time! Tap in!
Garrett Blakey  - Guest
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-blakey-95bb2b128
https://www.instagram.com/garrettblakey
 
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 168 - Coaching an undefeated season, building a University program from humble beginnings with Carly Clarke

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 love for the game in her hometown of Halifax, playing the game and always finding a way to attend the Men’s CIAU Championships at the old Metro Center.
This episode has insight, reflection, leadership, x and o’s and an absolute ton more! Don’t skip, just do your job; like, subscribe and download! We thank Coach for being with us!
Carly Clarke - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/carlyclarke83
https://x.com/carly_clarke
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 167 - Kyle Julius

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, you really want to check it out. 
Mitch and KJ also discuss the disappointing end to the Bandits CEBL season and how the franchise plans to learn and grow from it. No matter where you are in your Hoops Journey, Episode 167 is a certified banger!!!!!
Kyle Julius  - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/kylejulius33
https://x.com/juliushoops
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Julius
 
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 166 - Manny Dosanjh

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 Oral Roberts University and after some shoulder injuries, he decided to walk away from the game as a player.
Things turned quickly as Manny was offered an opportunity to coach at storied Orangeville Prep, and he jumped at the chance right away. After two years at Orangeville, he became a grad assistant at Michigan State, which led to his job at Western Michigan.  The journey is a good one, for any young coaches out there, it’s a great story to hear about what it takes! 
Just another example of the great coaching out there in Canada!
Tap in!
Manny Dosanjh   - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/coachmannyd/
https://wmubroncos.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/manny-dosanjh/4913
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 165 - Grant Audu

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 changed his path.
Nonetheless, Grant was a solid University player who had the opportunity to represent a top program in the country. When he’s not travelling the world with the 3x3 GOAT and former guest Steve Sir, he’s making music and his next pro contract! Thanks to Grant for tapping in with us!!!
Grant Audu  - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/hoopphilosophy/?hl=en
https://www.thebandits.ca/usports-bio---grant-audu
https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/grant-audu
 
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 164 - Justin Lee

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 brothers putting stickers on backboards, to taking on major court renovation projects across Canada in the span of just a few years. Join Mitch and Justin Lee, as they talk about the why behind B and B, how it started and what needs to happen for it to continue. 
From Halifax, to Saskatchewan, to Montreal, the list of communities the B and B team has impacted runs deep. Basketball is a special game that brings special people together, and it was an honour to have Justin speak on behalf of his team to share their story and love for the game! Tap in!!
Justin Lee  - Guest
https://bucketsandborders.com/blogs/news/ctv-interview-with-justin-lee
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinlee88/?originalSubdomain=ca
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJpZgSpvUdB/
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ 

Episode 163 - Mason Bourcier

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 made Mason want to be the best, and he didn’t hide his thoughts. 
His Kelowna Owls teams, notably the 2016 BC champions are still one of the best all-time in high school history, and this is where he saw what a championship standard looked like.  However it wasn’t necessarily the other teams, it was the day to day grind with his teammates where Mason saw what true hard work was. 
After high school the former Owl decided to attend UBC, but it’s an open share that Mason tells us he was searching for more, and it might change people’s perspectives of him, if they had one from before. 
Mason is a young father now, life and priorities have changed but he finds himself still embracing and loving the grind that comes with being a pro player. This episode is raw and real, and it will give you some serious insight into what it takes to get there (young hoopers tap into the end of the episode). All the best to Mason, we are grateful for his time, and we know the first download will be his proud dad!!!
Mason Bourcier  - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/mason.bourcier
https://www.seabears.ca/bio-mason-bourcier
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ 

Episode 162 - Warrick Manners

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 tough years in high school record wise in a tough conference, Warrick decided he was going to play volleyball at Humber, with basketball on his mind. After on year he ended up trying out for the men’s basketball team and made it, so he decided to play BOTH sports, however, that didn’t last forever. After a month of trying to be Humber’s Bo Jackson, he stuck with basketball and never looked back. A tough loss in the CCAA final was avenged when Warrick and his squad defeated Langara in the 1995 National Final. 
After a great career Warrick began coaching, first at Seneca and now with Kia Nurse Elite, however most of his time is dedicated back to the Hawks program! 
Tap in!
Warrick Manners  - Guest
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrick-m-9146562a
https://humberhawks.ca/sports/mbkb/coaches/manners_warrick
 
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ 

Episode 161 - Emily Potter

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 out and made the U17 Manitoba Provincial Team, an experience that shaped her career forever. 
From dominant high school years, to being cut and then making the Canadian team, Emily decided to take the jump to big time Division 1 and attend the University of Utah. The decision was tiring and stressful but it became easier knowing how many former and current Canadians had played at Utah!
Emily now finds herself finishing her 7th overseas season, one in which her team went an astonishing 27-0, won the cup and she was named MVP! Emily is back home training and getting ready for Canada Basketball training camp, working hard in her somewhat veteran role and continuing to grown as much as she can! Thanks to Emily for being with us, tap in!
Emily Potter  - Guest
https://www.instagram.com/empotter10/?hl=en
https://www.basketball.ca/athlete/emily-potter
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/