A Hoops Journey

Episode 83 - ”Pink Whistle Campaign” and talking Officials with Karn Dhillon

We have respected and longtime veteran referee Karn Dhillon joining us on the podcast for Episode 83 of A Hoops Journey. We release this episode a day before the Junior Boys Provincials to bring awareness to the Pink Whistle Campaign - started 13 years ago when Karn's sister Amanjit was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The grassroots program has since grown tremendously, with the officials in the provincial tournament wearing pink whistles. We end off the show with Karn and Aaron sharing stories, best games that Karn has officiated, hilarious stories featuring the Eberhardt's, Dolphin Park and much, much more!
 
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Amanjit Payer.
 
BCBOA BC Cancer Donation Link
Howard Tsumura on Varsity Letters writing about the Pink Whistle Campaign

Episode 82 - Dave DeAveiro

We have current Ryerson Rams Men's Basketball Head Coach David DeAveiro joining us for Episode 82! The Toronto native recaps a career from Humber College, to the McGill Redbirds and Ottawa Gee-Gees bench boss stints, the Canadian national team and so much more! He talks about the importance of a well-run program, his own personal journey growing as a coach, and other really great stories and experiences for aspiring coaches to listen to. Langara versus Humber, sequencing, sodium intakes, mustaches and Queen - another fantastic episode of A Hoops Journey!
 
Music & Sounds: Storyblocks
Produced by: Corbin Castres

Episode 81 - Tyler Kepkay

We have former Handsworth Royal and considered one of the best ballers to come out of British Columbia: Tyler Kepkay. The former Utah Utes' guard outlines a storied (and on-going) playing career starting on the North Shore of Vancouver. He chats about the old North Shore battles for a single Provincial berth, his recruiting process, and some advice for the younger hoopers listening. He is a veteran member of the Canadian National Basketball Team. He is also a representative for Adidas as one of Asia’s leading basketball figures. Tyler founded the IMPACT Basketball Academy in 2016, dedicating to nurturing students’ physical, social, and character development through basketball. Kobe stories, wild JUCO stories, how to train on your own - all this and more for Episode 81 of A Hoops Journey!

Episode 80 - Theresa Hanson

We have another Hanson on the podcast, and arguably the "best one" - the current Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation at Simon Fraser University, and former Athletic Director at UBC and Langara College: Theresa Hanson. The proud Trail native and former Lewis-Clark State Warrior recaps a long and successful playing and post-playing career and chats about the benefits of being in a small town, moving away from home for the first time, what it takes to be a powerful, confident woman in the sports world, and so much more. A little Mamma Mia and Grey's anatomy, fun Hanson household parties, a lack of 3 point line while getting buckets, reminiscing about the good ol' Langara days with Mitch, and more!

Episode 79 - John Mills

We have proud Vancouver Irish alumnus and former UBC Thunderbird John Mills. A long decorated basketball career both as a player and off the court as part of Canada Basketball and various boards in president, executive director and co-chair positions, we sit down with the former teacher to chat about his past. We chat all things Vancouver College, UBC, Canada Basketball and how to fix Canada Basketball as an institution. A fantastic episode featuring Hawkins' Cheezies, Gordon Thorogood, and so much more!
 
Article on Bill Russell by Howard Tsumura: "It’s no fable! In 1952, before his 11 NBA championship rings, a 17-year-old Bill Russell toured B.C. high schools and discovered his hoops identity!"

Episode 78 - Kyle Russell

We welcome you back from a brief break with some absolute heat: former Richmond Colt and 2003 Mike Moser Award Winner (Most Outstanding Player in the CIS) Kyle Russell. A small list of his accolades: Canada West Player of the Year, Canada West First-Team All-Star, First Team All-Canadian; an outstanding resumé. Talk about A Hoops Journey - we sit down with the former Thunderbird, Dino, Lumberjack, Snowbadger, Torero - you name it! A wild journey that has roots in the Lower Mainland with some familiar names such as Bill Disbrow and Jonny Lee, we chat with Kyle about his life, how he fell in love with the sport, and so much more! Plus, a tough first minute for accountants, Cory Russell, Frank Ocean and Whoppers!

Episode 77 - Brendan Graves

We have former Santa Clara Bronco and Junior/Senior National Team Player Brendan Graves joining us for Episode 77 of A Hoops Journey. He was a member of the 1994-95 and 1995-96 Santa Clara teams that made it to the NCAA Tournament first and second rounds, respectively. His team advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament with a 20-9 record in 1995-96. He graduated Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering and received the WCC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in 1996. 
The former Lambrick Park Lion and Vancouver Island Native recaps a storied high school, university, national team and professional career with insight on Vancouver Island basketball in the 80s and 90s, Ed Somers, the recruiting process in the 90s,  playing with two great point guards in Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, his time overseas and much more!

Episode 76 - Mike Katz

We have former Humber College and Toronto Blues Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike Katz joining us for Episode 76! Prior to joining the Varsity Blues, Katz led the Humber College men's basketball team for 19 seasons (503-175 overall record). During that time, he led the Hawks to the Final Four every year, winning seven provincial championships and five national titles while also producing seven All-Canadian players. Katz is also a four-time OCAA coach of the year and a three-time CCAA coach of the year award winner and was inducted into the Humber Varsity "Hall of Fame" in 2004. We talk about his journey into the game of basketball, how he got his start in coaching, and his time learning about the game. We also touch on his Olympic journey being an assistant alongside Ken Shields and Jerry Hemmings, and more!
 

Episode 75 - Sefu Bernard

Episode 75 of A Hoops Journey features current Washington Mystics Director of Player Development: Sefu Bernard. Another wild hoops journey, he sits down with us from the Caymans to talk about his story. The Toronto native talks about his upbringing as an inner city kid, his time playing as Windsor Lancer, his internship in Detroit and how a couple VHS tapes started his path to the WNBA. Prince, Bad Boys Pistons, the rise of Jama Mahlalela and much more on this amazing episode!

Episode 74 - Alex Devlin

We welcome another Canada Basketball legend - former Burnaby Central Wildcats player and SFU Men's Basketball great Alex Devlin joins us for Episode 74 of A Hoops Journey. The former All-American and NAIA all-star played for Team Canada for four years, helping Canada finish 4th in 1976, and later coached at SFU. We get into the legend of Billy Robinson, Bill Disbrow, shooting mechanics and a lot more stories from this BC and Canada Basketball Hall of Fame inductee!