The Player's Podcast

Coach Freeman joins me to answer some of your questions about the game. If you have questions that you want answered send one in at salemhoopsproject@gmail.com 00:48 How do you balance team expectations with personal goals during the season? 10:57 What’s something you wish you had learned earlier about taking care of your body, physically or mentally? 23:53 As a parent, how do you encourage your c...

Nelson Lomax played at Chemeketa CC and Willamette University in the early 90’s. Coming from New Orleans, LA, he made Salem his home and has become a fixture in the Salem basketball community. He shares stories and lessons from his lifetime as a player, coach and parent. 00:19 Growing up in New Orleans, LA and making his way to Salem 06:34 Getting into basketball as a child 07:38 Switching high sc...

“The Dobber“ talks through his career as a high school basketball coach at Sprague HS and, most recently, at Cascade HS. Now a father or athletes, he also shared some valuable insight on being a parent while also being a coach at heart. 00:54 Transitioning from coaching 6A basketball to 4A basketball 02:20 State tournament experience at a high school campus 07:12 Growing up in Lebanon, OR and comp...

Willie Freeman coached North Salem High School to two league titles. Through a huge life lesson, he had to find his next steps in his basketball journey. Listen in as Willie talks about his international playing career and all the way to coaching the NBA G league and drops some valuable advice to young players. 00:25 making his way from Atlanta to Salem 02:36 The life of a traveling international...

Skinny talks about growing up at The Hoop and putting in a lifetime of work to become the player he was. He holds many records at South Salem HS and went on to become the all-time assists leader at St. Martin's University. 00:20 His place in the list of Salem point guards 02:15 Being around the game at a young age 04:55 Learning from his dad 06:01 Players he came up with 07:53 Getting to South Sal...

Kip Ioane just finished his first season as the leader of the South Salem boy's basketball program. We talk through his time at Willamette University and how he is creating a new culture at South Salem. We also discuss our run together at Willamette Pro Hoop camp and learning from legendary coach Gordie James. 00:25 Making the transition from college to high school basketball 05:55 Exectations of...

Jorge Garibay graduated from McKay HS in 2014 and was part of group that competed for a league title while he was there. It took a lot of time in the gym to get there, and his leadership was a big reason for that. Jorge looks back at the process to getting there and what it meant for him to make McKay basketball competitive. 00:42 Developing his competitive drive 02:20 Learning to compete at the v...

Cruz Veliz just wrapped up his career at Woodburn High School with a 2nd team all state earning. We talk through his upbringing with 2 older brothers and learning how to compete. Big brother RJ joins us as well to provide some context to what's help Cruz succeed, and we also hear about their new venture V3 Athletics which is set to impact the Woodburn community in a big way. 01:04 Being ready for...

Former head coach of the Sprague Olympians reflects on his journey through basketball after finishing this season with the best team in the history of the school. 00:43 reflecting on the success from this years seniors at Sprague HS 1:44 State Tourney experience 5:08 Developing a love for the game as a kid 10:30 early lessons in high school practice 14:05 growing into a league title team his junio...

Enrique Sandoval has decades of experience in the game as a player and coach. Most recently, he led the Gervais girl’s program the the 2023 2A State Title. We discuss his upbringing and how it helped shaped him as a player and person. We also get into the impact of the Oregon Latino Basketball Tournament as well to why he did not recruit me when he was coaching at Chemeketa. 2:38 Developing his lo...

RJ Veliz talks about his career thus far, developing his love for the game with his family and leading the next generation in his community. After a successful prep career (19th most points in Oregon high school history), RJ has gone onto to play at Western Oregon University, Wheaton College, and will now finish his final year at Corban College here in Salem. 1:25 The Veliz family love for basketb...

Dean Sanderson is the new hire for the West Salem Titans. We discuss his coaching career, the learning that has taken place throughout, as well as his hopes for the future of West Salem basketball. 0:48. Coaching in his the community he lives in 3:05 Coaching his son at the high school level 6:10 Playing days in high school at Dallas, OR 12:18 The beginning of his coaching career 14:40 getting to...

Jason Unruh is a graduate of South Salem HS where he played for legendary coach Barry Adams. After spending a few years as an assistant, he went on to help found The Hoop as well as the Hoopla 3 on 3 basketball tournament. 0:55 Being able to turn ideas into tangible products 3:40 Future Stars Basketball Camp in the 90s 6:15 The change in youth basketball - - school based middle school hoops in the...

Alex Hartman had a successful college and overseas pro career as a basketball player and has used his experiences to springboard his next professional chapter. We discuss his journey as a player as well as the NIL scene for athletes. Be on the lookout for a second episode with Hartman in the future. Check out his work at heartlandcreative.net 1:36 Building skills and relationships at Shoot 360 9:1...

Greg Plater became a first-team all-state player at McKay HS while helping to take the program from the bottom of the league to state contenders. He credits his hours in the gym to building his game on the court, but also his confidence in himself to be great. 00:41 Developing a love for the game as a kid 2:30 How he watched the greats and applied to his game 6:30 The value of mid-range in the age...

Jack Martino has over 30 years of coaching experience. His experiences have enabled him to get the most out of his teams. In 3 years at McKay HS, he took them from last place in the Valley League into state contenders. 0:15. Future of the Warriors 2:20 HS basketball in the Bay Area 5:33. Starting his coaching career 7:00 Reflecting on teams with bad records after decades of experience 8:00 Coachin...

Mike McShane is a basketball legend in Salem. He is coming off a successful 2-year run as the head girl's basketball coach at McNary High School. He breaks down how he developed his team and what he has learned through his life in the game. 0:18 The Oly Cup and the future of Unified Sports 4:30 The need for access to sports for all 6:05 The head coaching experience 8:05 Evaluating your team to ide...

Joined today by my high school coach, Jim Litchfield. Coach Litch has decades of experience in the game of basketball and was a huge part of my development. We discuss his history as well as what he sees in today's game. 0:37. Coach Litchfield’s challenge to a sophomore me 4:25 The importance of being brutally honest with players 5:19 Gaining strength as a basketball player will take you to a high...

Coach Cho stops by to reflect on his time at Lake Oswego as well as offer some reflections on the state of youth basketball 1:37. Reflecting on Success at Lake Oswego 5:05. Pivotal moments for the development of a player 10:00. Mental challenges for youth 16:39. Dangers of workout culture 20:34. Surrounding yourself with the right people 27:20. Coach Cho’s top 5 opponents in his 8 years at Lake Os...

We are joined by Malik Leaks, a North Salem HS grad. We discuss what made him a great player and how is passing it on the youth he trains. 00:30 Earliest basketball memory 01:14. Developing a love for the game 01:50. The work Malik put in 03:00. Success at North Salem High School 03:55. Becoming the #1 option 06:08. North vs McKay - clutch moment 07:33. Developing basketball IQ 10:50. Transition t...

DJ Shaw from Portland Oregon joins us to discuss player development in the modern day. 00:30 Recapping the Coach Shaw Holiday Hoop Camp 03:33 Clarifying training expectations for parents 05:55 Reaching your next level as a player 08:58 Identifying the starting point for player development 13:00. Improving at what's necessary for the player vs what's desired by the player 16:48. Coach Shaw lists so...

While we all want to be the go to guy (or girl) on our team, most of us will not be Jordan in this story. When we watch the role players from the Chicago teams, we can see lessons about the importance of staying on the floor and helping our team succeed.

While he still had an outstanding individual resume in his career, Michael Jordan learned how to sacrifice individual desires for increased team success.

Cliff White discusses the habits that helped him have a successful and collegiate and pro career. Now as a parent, Cliff speaks on the similarities and differences between his journey and that of his kids.

Coach Memory identifies three pillars that led to the success of Jordan's teams.