A Hoops Journey

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 - Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney/ Web...

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 guidanc...

“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 Gra...

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 a...

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...

Episode 133 with 2024 Canada West All-Rookie, Adam Olsen. It was fun to sit down with the recently drafted Vancouver Bandit to talk further about his high school years and rookie season. Born and raised in South Surrey and being the youngest of three Adam learned to be a competitor and loved the game at an early age. From there and with a big growth spurt the UBC Forward found a group of buddies f...

Episode 132 is a banger as we dive into the life of a gentleman who has found himself behind the scenes in the professional sports world and NBA; Josh Kahn. A New York native Josh has an interesting story about how he has been able to carve out a life of directing and film/content producing. From starting at NYU film school, then interning at NBC Josh slowly built his resume right before the econo...

A local BC Legend joins us on A Hoops Journey today; Mr. Chris Porteous. Chris's basketball life is literally a “journey”, one that is full of ups, downs and so many in-betweens. The 2-time Provincial Champion and former MVP goes back to tell us about his early life, growing up in Whistler and then moving all the way to Montreal. From there Chris finds himself back in Vancouver at the age of 12 an...

Today we chop it up with a coach whose name has been mentioned many times on AHJ, Ro Russell. Coach Ro has an extensive resume with ties to many people in our game not only in Canada but in all of North America. At an early age, the Jamaican immigrant was taking notes from his entrepreneurial parents and started his vision at the ripe age of 18. Decades ago Coach Ro started taking club teams and p...

On Episode 129 of A Hoops Journey, we get a unique opportunity to sit down with the CEO of Canada Basketball Michael Bartlett. Growing up around sports and loving the intricacies that came with it, Michael had a passion for all but baseball is what stood out most! After being in a good job role with MLSE the job at Canada Basketball came open and Michael jumped at the opportunity, feeling like it...

With the madness of March just around the corner, it’s perfect timing to sit down with a long-time Division 1 basketball coach and 2002 Naismith Coach of the Year; Ben Howland. Born in Oregon but growing up in Santa Barbara, Coach Howland fell in love with the game like many of our former guests; he was invited to check out a neighbourhood youth league and it all went from there! Shout out to the...

Episode 127 is an opportunity to meet and know more about young gun, Villanova commit and National Team member; Jasmine Bascoe. Someone who shows maturity and game beyond her age, Mitch and Jasmine have a great conversation about life and hoops! Early in the episode, Mitch realizes that Jasmine is indeed the daughter of Shane, a former CCAA All-Canadian and Player of the Year! From there the conve...

Episode 126 has us chopping it up with long-time coach and specifically with our women’s national teams; Steve Baur. Steve truly has one of the most unique stories out there with his career starting in an unorthodox way. After spending time finishing his degree and coaching some community ball in his hometown, Steve then has a few opportunities that come across his table, luckily for him he decide...

Episode 125 might be one of the most unique stories you’ve heard to this day! Sean Anthony is a born and raised Vancouverite but his path turned into an interesting one. A young Sean was not exposed to the game early on, and it wasn’t until he made the move to St. George’s School that he was introduced to the game and why it was so great. From there Sean played Provincial team, and had successful...

From the heart of Edmonton and beyond we have the chance to chop it up with a hooper, an educator, a strong human, and someone who is motivated to make the world a better place; Andrew Parker. A Caribbean native and family man, Andrew immigrated to Canada in 1976 and his family made an impact on the local community. It didn’t take long for Andrew to realize he was athletic, however translating tha...

Are we really 123 episodes in? Damn right we are, and we don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon! We have an all-time episode for you today as we chop it up with Syracuse grad and multiple record holder, WNBA draft pick, current professional in Paris and long-time national team member Kayla Alexander! ATHLETE. ARTIST. ADVENTURER. AUTHOR. SPEAKER Considered to be a “vet” with @canadabasketball now,...

Today’s episode is a banger for many reasons! We sit down with current Vancouver Bandits guard and former Division 1 star; Duane Notice. Born from Jamaican roots and growing up in Toronto there was no option for Duane other than the game we all love. In his senior season of high school Duane made the decision to go to Prep school in Connecticut, opening up more opportunities and the chance to have...

This one! It could be the highlight dunks or the half-court shots, but either way, you know the name! A special episode as Mitch was a former teammate of Josh and they grew up playing Provincial team together and battling each other in high school. Josh takes us back and shares a bunch about his young life that many might not know. Always a great athlete Josh talks about why hockey was his first l...

When do you get the chance to connect with someone who can call themselves a FIBA Basketball gold medal champion? Before this summer one of the best Canadian player/coach stories out there might have been unknown, however now all you need to do is a quick search and find out not only is Gordie an accomplished coach but a player as well. Born and raised in Penticton, BC, we peel back the layers for...

You most likely know the name if you’ve been around the game, and if not then tune in and get to know more about the current Director of Basketball Operations for the @cebl; Mr. Joe Raso. A true Canadian and gentleman who represents Hamilton to the fullest, we go back with coach and talk about his upbringing in an immigrant family and how the game we all love was drawn to him. As stated, coach wor...

Our guy Hammy! We get to sit down with the creative force behind Hopz Productions / Transition Game Inc. and Crunch Time Film Productions, Michael Hamilton. Michael is a guy from northern Alberta who made his way to the Lower Mainland and has had an impact on our local hoop scene for decades. An accomplished filmmaker, Mitch and Michael go back in time to discuss his love for the game, competing i...

Episode 117 takes us all the way to New York with the 11th-ranked player in the United States, a Michigan basketball commit, and one of the best up-and-coming Canadian players we have in our country; Syla Swords! Syla is getting ready for her senior season with @luhigirlsbasketball as her squad is the pre-season #1 team in the entire United States! Syla is beyond her years in maturity and understa...

Special Episode! Rest in Peace to Greg Francis who passed away on April 2nd, 2023. Greg was an integral part of the 2000 team and a great person and teammate From 2000 to now! Well, WE DID IT! @canadabasketball has qualified on the men’s side for the first time since the 2000 Olympics in Australia! As a show we thought it would be fun to revisit those memories with a few of the ones that did it- J...

Our latest episode was a unique one in terms of talking with a player from BC who hardly played in BC in his younger years. Across the span of this show, there are some original experiences and takeaways for our listeners as James reflects on an early leap to basketball in the United States. After returning from the AAU / Prep system James talks about his next moves as well as the why and how he e...

Episode 114 has us sitting down with the Wesmen legend himself; Dave Crook. Coach Crook (And current Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg) has been around the game a long time and worked to develop many programs across Canada. Dave’s career starts early with a young Michael Grange (Episode 111), all the way to Lethbridge under unique circumstances. Dave was not only a U Sport coach, he...