A Hoops Journey

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/

Episode 160 - Scott Morrison

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 up for Scott and his family! 
Through their foundation, Scott and his wife Susanne will be auctioning off a bunch of game-worn shoes from NBA media and coaches that were designed by the talented @jsm_801_customs, plus a ton of autographed items from players all to improve our knowledge and understanding of Autism. @tothemaxfoundation is working hard to raise money in the local community to help families who can’t get the resources necessary to support their autistic children. 
In this episode Scott gives the story of their son, Max, making the choice to leave a contract in Australia to better Max life, how being open to sharing your story and advocacy are vital, plus so much more! 
The auction will be LIVE on, Tuesday, May 13th at @sothebys, all info will be shared on our platforms and at To the Max. A lack of acceptance and inclusion are something no human should ever have to face, please take time to educate yourself and if you have the means make a donation or bid on an item. All the best to the Morrison family!!! 
#Ahoopsjourney
#CanadaBasketball
#Autismacceptance
#tothemaxfoundation
 
Scott Morrison  - Guest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Morrison_(basketball_coach)
Aaron Mitchell - Host
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/
Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 159 - Davis Sanchez

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 his first year at Capilano U, Mitch and Davis have some great laughs and memories about these times.
The wildest part of Davis story is after playing ONE YEAR of organized football in grade ten, he decided to play community after Cap because a friend brought him out. From there Davis leaves for Butte College in California, becomes an All-American and a future Hall of Famer!
It’s then onto Division 1, CFL, NFL and so much more! We’ll stop here and let you tap in, we appreciate the time and know you will love this one!!!!
Davis Sanchez - Guesthttps://x.com/DavisSanchezhttps://www.instagram.com/davissancheztsn
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 158 - Sam Maillet

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 falling in Iove with basketball, it was clear he would stay east, choosing Dalhousie as his post-secondary option. After four great seasons at Dal, including second place at the Final 8, Sam made the tough decision to move out west and attend UVic in his final year! Sam tells the whole back story and reasoning behind this decision; there’s more to it than one might think!
After a great summer with the Vancouver Bandits, Sam was ready to play for the Uvic Vikes, and what a season it was! A top 3 team all year, losing their top scorer, a rookie coach, that all somehow ended in the things we dream of as hoopers! We thank Sam so much for being with us, he also took the time to answer our listeners' questions - the hair responses will throw you for a loop!
Best to Sam as he enters year 2 for the Bandits, and will continue to pursue basketball overseas! This episode has it all, tap in!
Sam Maillet - Guesthttps://govikesgo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-maillet/6804https://www.thebandits.ca/roster/sam-maillet
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 157 - Adam Paige

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 winner), trips to nationals with consistent numbers the entire way, Adam is a solidified star.With great reflection on where his career has taken him, Adam is wrapping up his pro season in Germany and has learned lots along the way. Once he returns home and this episode is out, he SHOULD have signed with a CEBL team for the summer. This is only the beginning for the young fella, we know Adam will succeed in whatever he does and wherever he goes, fantastic episode!!! Tap in!Adam Paige - Guesthttps://www.instagram.com/adampaigehttps://en.usports.ca/sports/mbkb/2021-22p/players/adampaigef3jnhttps://www.basketball.ca/athlete/adam-paigeAaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 156 - Eric Smith

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 all then you have for sure seen or heard Eric on the air, his desire and love for the game started when he got the job following men’s basketball at Humber College! Like many other eps, a few connections and some luck got him cracked into the business and the rest was history.
We are thankful Eric took the time to chop it up with us, you can find him on many different platforms, and stay tuned as he has a book release coming in November!!!!!
Tap in!
Eric Smith - Guesthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Smith_(sportscaster)https://www.instagram.com/eric__smith
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/