A Hoops Journey

Episode 142 - James DePoe

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 - GuestLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-depoe-4a505660/?originalSubdomain=caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.depoe/
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 141 - Jess Hanson

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 - Guesthttps://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessica-hanson/7557
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 140 - Chris McLaughlin

We head back overseas for episode 140 with the big fella, Chris McLaughlin! The current overseas pro has been hooping in Hong Kong for some time now, has found himself some great experiences both on and off the court and continues to enjoy life and ball!
A true islander at heart, Chris grew up in Ontario but always had a soft spot for “the rock”. As Chris started to physically grow, basketball became a sport he was interested in learning more about and getting better at. High school led to sharpening his craft and enjoying what came with it. It ended up being a family trip out west that is a great story on how Chris chose his future post-secondary school, the University of Victoria!
After a tough rookie season, Chris starts to figure out the University game, leading his Vikes to multiple national appearances while collecting Canada West POY and All-Canadian awards along the way. In his senior year, the big man averaged 19.8 points and 10 rebounds a game, numbers don’t lie!
Chris is currently playing for Eastern in the Hong Kong league, and after having an MVP season he just had to run it back! This (possible) future teacher used to sub-teach at Mitch’s school, has lots of great stories and reflections plus a positive perspective on life! You know the drill, time to tap in! Much respect and thanks to Chris for being with us, all the best for the upcoming season!
Chris McLaughlin - Guesthttps://www.thebandits.ca/roster/chris-mclaughlin
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Canadian Olympic Basketball Preview

Damn! Let’s do this! It’s Paris 2024 and basketball starts today, so of course we had to bring you some content! The episode starts with friend of the show and our guy, Alex Adams who has grown in his reporting space and brings great insight on the women’s side of the tournament plus many adventurers. Mitch and Alex discuss the potential of the women, what it will take to move onto post pool play and lots more!!
After that we chop it up with former guests of the show Mr. David Larkins and Scott Morrison. The three fellas discuss all things Canada on the men’s side; their pool, growth of the program and some calls on how it might all pan out for the team!
If you happen to stay with the episode that long (which of course you will), we have a super fun draft based around the summer Olympics that we need you to chime in on!
Rock with us……..
and GO CANADA!!!!
GuestsAlex AdamsDavid LarkinsScott Morrison
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 139 - Glen Yang

This is a really cool episode, all be it number 139! We have the chance to chop it up with current @bandits guard and dynamic overseas pro, Glen Yang.Burnaby-born and semi Hong Kong / Calgary-raised Glen has a unique story worth checking out. Moving to a major international location like Hong Kong at a young age can have positives and negatives. The main positive is that Glen found his most important mentor there, a coach who had him drop the X-Box controller and really learn to love the game of hoops! In that time Glen traveled back and forth to his mom’s home city, Calgary. During the summers Glen would go to camps in the states but also spent a majority of his time hooping in the city, finding the parks and local runs and stacking himself up against bigger and older talent. Ironically Glen ends up signing with Mt. Royal, a place he never envisioned untilIt happened. Once pen went to paper he took major pride in trying to build a young U Sport program and help put them on the map. After five great years Glen ended up getting his first pro contract in Spain, and he learned alot, both for the good and bad. Combine covid, the Phillapeans, Hong Kong and so much more his journey is real! Currently Glen is focused on finishing the best he can on a talented Bandits squad which will then lead him to his next spot to hoop. We wish him all the best, and trust us, stick around to hear his all-time teammates to run with, there are some legendary names in it! Respect to the young killer, tap in as usual!!Glen Yang - Guesthttps://www.thebandits.ca/roster/glen-yanghttps://www.instagram.com/g_yang13Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 138 - Aaron Mitchell Q&A

A hoops journey finds itself in Vegas this week so it’s a brief Q&A with Mitch and Mitch only! We cover the game between the US and Canada on Wednesday, some thoughts on local hoops, how to improve within the club AND high school system and more! A fun episode tap in!!!
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 137 - John Dykstra

Another triple OG joins us on AHJ! We know this is a guest the people have wanted for a long time! Stop for a second……there are serious layers to this episode. Many in the BC hoops community would know John as the outgoing and fun personality he is, however, his story has lots of details you might not know.Growing up in Chilliwack, BC, John fell in love with hoops after the mentorship and guidance of his Grade 5 teacher who made him believe in himself. From there John spent most summers heading to camps in the United States, staying with family and stacking up against American talent!!After two dominant years in high school, the Provincial (Yup, jumped over 3 people!!) slam dunk champion got what he finally wanted; a Division 1 scholarship offer. The offer was from a small school deep in the United States, Tennessee Tech University. Once John steps on campus is where his journey really starts to take twists and turns, and where we will stop typing and you should start listening. Ironically this episode drops over Canada Day weekend, a time that changed John’s life forever. After diving into shallow water John had a moment where he thought his life was over, breaking his neck and unable to move in the water he had the literal “flash before my eyes” moment, but it wasn’t meant to be for him. He went on to have a risky surgery that worked, rehabbed his way back to health and finished his eligibility at UBC!! Tap in!Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 136 - Blake Murphy

“Why Not?”
For those who don’t know Blake Murphy’s story, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. The Cambridge, Ontario native was born and raised a hockey kid, spending time at the rink only until a change in scenery for him and a new friend group exposed him to the game of basketball.
During high school, Blake and his crew found a love for the game and enjoyed hooping together. After his Grade 12 year, like many teenagers Blake, had no idea where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do. After spending time in University he decided to head west and do his Masters in Journalism at UBC. With that move a big opportunity to work with the university's athletic teams in many different facets came about, from sports writing, to play-by-play and all in between. This is a sports junkie's dream and Blake dove in head first, covering numerous teams and gaining as much experience as he possibly could.
During his program at UBC Blake landed a job at The Score network, an offer he couldn’t refuse so he packed up and moved back to the Toronto area. At The Score Blake did a lot of reporting and writing, trying to build his craft. Because of this, his stories and reports start to gain eyes, with the likes of The Athletic and others who come knocking for his work.
Blake is now on Sportsnet covering the Blue Jays full-time but still has a huge passion for the game of hoops (Shoutout Raptors Republic). Mitch and Blake talk the future of the Raptors, Canada Basketball, and how he thinks the Olympics will shape out! This a unique episode with a hard-working and classy guy, our listeners will definitely enjoy this one, nothing but the best for Blake and his future endeavours! tap in!
Blake Murphyhttps://blakemurphy.comhttps://www.instagram.com/eblakemurphy
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 135 - Marcus Carr

If you follow hoops, especially NCAA then you know the name! Episode 135 was fantastic as Mitch chops it up with former Texas Longhorn and Montverde basketball player, Marcus Carr.
A Toronto native Marcus found himself following around his big bro @duanenotice at a super early age. Marcus often notes in this episode the importance of having Duane as an example to him. (Sidenote, Mitch slipped up and forgot to ask who Marcus most important people are, however we know Duane would be one for sure!)
As a young, talented baller Marcus felt the right move for him was to transfer to Montverde in Florida so he could pursue a D1 path, but also to compete against the best night in and night out. Playing on a top ranked team with multiple future NBA players was an experience Marcus will never forget, in the end leading him to choose PITT for his freshman year.
After a rocky season for the PITT athletic department Marcus felt he needed a change and decided to transfer to Minnesota under the guidance of Richard Pitino where he averaged 19ppg. The NCAA deemed Marcus ineligible due to transfer rules (Which are much different now), so he had to red shirt his first year before playing.
It doesn’t end there as Marcus decided one more time to transfer and head to the prestigious University of Texas to play of the Longhorns. Marcus ended up being a 5th year senior and had two great seasons at Texas, leading them to the NCAA tournament and averaging 16ppg in his senior year.
The former Big 12 and Big 10 All-Team player is now in between pro contracts and looking to continue his career overseas. We loved this episode for a variety of reasons and you will too, make sure you tap in and Thank you Marcus for being with us!
Marcus Carrhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Carrhttps://www.basketball.ca/athlete/marcus-carr
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Episode 134 - Miranda Ayim

Today’s episode is with one of the most decorated Canadian hoopers ever, Ms. Miranda Ayim! The three-time Olympian, Japan Team Canada flag bearer and overseas pro has such a great conversation with Mitch!
We go back and talk about Miranda as a young person, what it’s like going through a growth spurt at a young age, especially as a female, and lots more. After high school, Miranda went all the way west to Pepperdine University to not only hoop (One of the all-time great women's basketball players in Pepperdine program history, Ayim was a three-time All-WCC first-team selection during her four-year career. Ayim is Pepperdine's eighth-leading scorer with 1,377 points, ranks ninth with 735 career rebounds and is the program leader with 182 career blocks) but for school as well. At Pepperdine, Miranda was even the Division I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete of the Year!!
Later in the episode, we take a trip down memory lane discussing Team Canada, the Olympics, playing overseas, the WNBA, NIL and so much more. Miranda has a great energy and spirit about her, she continues to lead and guide many in her profession and will do so for years to come. It was an honour and privilege to chat with Miranda, hear more of her story and have some fun connecting. This episode you won’t want to miss, Tap in!
Miranda Ayimhttps://mirandaayim.com/https://www.instagram.com/mjayimhttps://olympic.ca/team-canada/miranda-ayim
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/