A Hoops Journey

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/

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/

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/

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 with his big brother to games and practices. After a couple of good years at Sir Winston Churchill and a season at Cap U, Brad made the move to Mount Royal to play basketball and continue his education.
Upon returning home it was the connections with many of the local TV and Newspaper legends, plus an invite to their local run that got him “in the door” so to speak. Former guest John McKeachie became a big mentor to him, and John stuck his neck out for Brad multiple times as he expanded his career.
Brad now finds himself in a long term contract with Sportsnet, covering multiple sports from the Raptors, to golf, the olympics and much more. It was a pleasure to sit down with Brad, to learn more about his craft and to reflect back on fun times. Tap in!
Brad Fay - Guesthttps://x.com/snbradfayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Fay
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

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 London, Ontario of all places led to an amazing episode right off the jump. From there we discover how late Kur was to the game, but how much it meant to him. Under the guidance of former guest @mikeprovenzanos dad at London Basketball Academy, Kur created a foundation for himself through hard work and figuring out how to improve his game.
After his grade 12 season, Kur still didn’t really have any post-secondary options, so he created the mindset that U Sport and a good education would be what he needed……..somehow he ended up earning a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball at Northern Colorado! To this day, a moment he cannot wrap his head around.
From there, the CEBL, time with the NBL, finishing a master's, and now playing overseas, if this episode can’t change your perspective on life then we don’t know what will! Tap in!!!
Kur Jongkuch - Guesthttps://x.com/kjongkuchhttps://www.instagram.com/kurjongkuch/
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

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 hurt Warren or his growth, he developed a love and his skills quite rapidly, eventually getting recruited by a few schools in Canada and the states. It was a trip down to Indiana that took him down his University path, a small JUCO that didn’t have the right feel motivated him to return to Canada and see what his options were.
A phone call from a former guest on AHJ, Mr. Dave Deaveiro who was the head coach at Ottawa interested Warren, and after a visit to the campus he committed to the Gee-Gees. Trips to nationals, working on his craft with intention, an All-Canadian and a whole bunch of learning experiences had Warren ready to play the pro game.
His story gets wild from here, as he has a brief interest from the NBA (You need to hear the story), eventually finding himself signing his first contract in Germany. After a few seasons, Warren unfortunately had multiple injuries (2 ACL tears and an Achilles), and he knew it was time to move on from the game. The growth and reflection Warren has had since then have made him the man he is today; all the the things we started this writeup with and so much more. Warren also is in the podcast game, give his show @youonlydietwicepod a follow!
Such a dope episode, tap in!!!!!!!!!!
Warren Ward - Guesthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ward_(basketball)
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

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 early age the inside or outside of the Cruz - Dumont house would be littered with sports and a bunch of battles! As he grew older Jack developed a real love for the game of hoops and football, eventually finding himself and his brothers at storied Vancouver College (Thanks to his dedicated mom who went back to school to earn her degree!!). In Jacks grade ten year football was really his main thing, however the sickness of his dad John impacted his grade 10/11 year and he had challenges with focusing and being committed as any teenager would!
It was through this time watching his dad battle for his life that Jack found the inspiration and motivation to keep going, to fight and not give up. From there the switch happened and he lit the fire we see today. After a solid senior year at VC, he committed to UBC to play for the T-Birds. While there Jack was on pace to graduate early due to a covid year, and realized he could eventually turn himself into a pro. Wanting to get a feel for what that might look like, a trip out to the Philippines showed Jack something special and he decided to make the move, leaving UBC after 3 years of eligibility to play in the University league with the hope of signing a pro contract…..and here we are!
This young bull has lots of hoops left in him, it was a great time connecting and we are excited to see Jack’s future! Tap in!
Jack Cruz-Dumont - Guesthttps://www.instagram.com/jcruzdumonthttps://ca.linkedin.com/in/jack-cruz-dumonthttps://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/jack-cruz-dumont-plans-to-turn-pro-at-the-end-of-ue-career-a5172-20241127
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

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 was something he wanted to work at.
Years at King George with a great group led to lots of success, but it took some wild moments and stories for Diego to figure out how the next step would work for him. Eventually he ended up at McNeese State where his four year career had him average 12 pts a game, 15 in his senior year!!
As stated, Diego’s career is sort of slept on as he ended up playing overseas for over a decade of multiple leagues and locations, which included scoring titles and many finals appearances.
Between that and representing Bosnia and Canada, Diego knew the time was right to hang up the kicks after some success in the NBL, and now he finds himself giving back coaching the youth and helping the future! It’s where the heart lies for Diego, we know he will crush it! Tap in!
Diego Kapelan - Guesthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Kapelanhttps://www.instagram.com/diegoswish604
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

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 began to enjoy the daily grind of improving. Once he reached his high school years he decided to transfer to North Carolina and try ball south of the border. This experience let him compete against many future D1 and NBA players, finding himself stacking up against the competition.
As high school started to wind down the decision of where to go came up, and Mike had his heart set on being a D1 player, even to the point of dropping the game forever if he couldn’t get there!
In the end after a redshirt year at a D2 he made the choice to go back to a school that originally recruited him, SFU. Mike had a great career up on Burnaby Mountain which led to a couple years overseas. From there his coaching journey began, with a former AHJ guest taking a chance on hiring him to being a student assistant now at Michigan State the story is great! Lots more to come for Mike and his future, all the best as he continues to work!
Tap in!
Mike Provenzano - Guesthttps://www.lightningbasketball.ca/sports/mbkb/coaches/Michael_Provenzanohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-provenzano-05550a292
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/

Paris Olympian!!!!! The story of Sami is a great one, from being raised in Toronto to making the decision of re classifying in high school, quitting basketball for a year and moving to New Jersey for senior season it’s an action packed episode!!
Growing up in a competitive family it really didn’t matter what the sport was, Sami was all in and ready to try and win! Battles with siblings led to her developing a super competitive nature and that would help her later on in life for many reasons. A true understanding of roles, fierce determination, and a willingness to always try and get better had Sami being heavily recruited in her senior year.
In the end she decided on Virginia Tech University and the ACC. After three great seasons the coaching staff was gone and a new group came in which ended up being great for Sami as she averaged almost 11 points and 5 rebounds that year!
From there Sami dove into professional basketball and now is overseas in Spain. We couldn’t get away without discussing Sami’s time with Canada and the National team; starting out with the student and U18 teams to becoming an Olympian are all part of her journey! That said it wasn’t always easy, Sami got super close for the Tokyo Olympics but wasn’t chosen to go, it only made her more hungry to be with the team in Paris and she did it!
Tap into Episode 149 and hear the story of a great hooper who’s passionate about the game and its growth. We thank Sami for being with us and wish her nothing but the best going forward!
Sami Hill - Guesthttps://www.basketball.ca/athlete/sami-hillhttps://www.instagram.com/samihill04
Aaron Mitchell - HostInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/Website: https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/