Welcome to the 86th edition of the Coach’s Corner Round Table on the Hoop Heads Podcast. Each episode of the Coach’s Corner Round Table will feature our All-Star lineup of guests answering a single basketball question. A new Coach’s Corner Round Table will drop around the 15th of each month.

February’s Round Table question is: How do you make sure your culture shows up when you’re not in the gym?

Our Coaching Lineup this month:

1. Jerry Buckley – Bishop Kenny (FL) High School
2. Stephen Halstead – Grace College
3. Chris Hicks – Midwest Basketball Club & Bleacher Prospect
4. Bob Krizancic – Mentor (OH) High
5. Dave McGreal – Penn State Altoona
6. Michael Rejniak – We Are D3
7. Chris Richardson – Wheeling University
8. Don Showalter - USA Basketball

Please enjoy this Round Table episode of the Hoop Heads Podcast and once you’re finished listening please give the show a five star rating and review after you subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Be sure to follow us on twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

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Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on...

Jordan Stasyszyn and Alexa Barbush run Unleashed Potential, a skill development program based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Jordan is Carlisle High Schools fourth all-time leading scorer with over 1,600 points and a Big 15 Selection. He played Division 1 basketball at Fairleigh Dickinson before transferring to play at Shippensburg University, where he graduated from with a Bachelors in Communications and Public Relations. He furthered his education by completing his Masters from LaSalle University in Professional and Business Communication.

Alexa was an All-State and Big 15 Selection at Trinity High School. She played at Franklin & Marshall College where she compiled an impressive list of achievements. She was named a 2x D3 All-American, 2x Preseason All-American, Centennial Conference Player of the year, and scored 1,486 points. She graduated with a bachelors in Psychology. She also coached at Dickinson College for a year as an assistant coach.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

You’ll want to take some notes as you listen to this episode with Jordan Stasyszyn & Alexa Barbush from Unleashed Potential in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Website - https://www.unleashed717.com/

Email - stasyszynj14@gmail.com

Twitter/X - @unleashed717 @jstas717 @abarbush5

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Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education,...

On this episode, Mike and Jason discuss James Harden's first two games a Cleveland Cavalier which included wins over the Kings and Nuggets. Next, they dive into the Pistons-Hornets Brawl in Charlotte and wonder how long Beef Stew will be suspended. After that, Mike and Jason make predictions for All-Star Saturday night and share their thoughts on this year's All-Star Game format. Finally, they talk tank-a-thon and what the NBA might be able to do stop teams from losing on purpose.

Visit our Sponsors!

Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

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Chris Boucher is the author of the new book, “Harry “Bucky” Lew: A Biography of Basketball’s First Black Professional” The book tells the story of how Harry “Bucky” Lew leapt over pro basketball’s color wall in 1902 and continued to integrate every single role in the game over the next 25 years. He was the first Black player, coach, manager, referee, and franchise owner in otherwise white leagues. His accomplishments were well documented in the newspapers of his day, but he has largely been forgotten, despite his assist to the Dodgers in finding a home for their first Black players in the United States and the full integration of all major league sports that soon followed.

Chris is a lifelong basketball fan and resident of Lowell, Massachusetts and hadn’t heard of Bucky Lew until he started researching the history of basketball in Lowell. He was shocked to learn all that Lew had accomplished and now hopes to get him his proper due.

On this episode Mike & Chris discuss the remarkable life of Harry “Bucky” Lew, the first black professional basketball player. Lew's significant contributions to the sport include breaking color barriers as a player, coach, manager, referee, and franchise owner within predominantly white leagues from 1902 onward. The discussion highlights the historical context of Lew's achievements, emphasizing his role in advancing racial integration in professional basketball and his pivotal influence on subsequent generations of athletes. Boucher articulates the challenges Lew faced, including racial discrimination and physical confrontations during games, shedding light on a largely forgotten yet crucial chapter in basketball history. As we explore Lew's legacy, we aim to bring greater awareness to his story and the profound impact he had on the evolution of the sport.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Get educated as you listen to this episode with Chris Boucher, author of the new book, “Harry “Bucky” Lew: A Biography of Basketball’s First Black Professional”.

Website - https://chrisboucher.net/

Buy the Book - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/Harry-Bucky-Lew/

Email - chris@chrisboucher.net

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispboucher/

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A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

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Chris Hicks is the operations manager for Midwest Basketball Club in the state of Ohio. He also serves as the Event Director for Bleacher Prospects, which specializes in covering all levels of High School and AAU basketball while providing exposure for young athletes across the Midwest.

On this episode Mike & Chris discuss the vital role of advocacy in the development of young players and the need for dedicated support systems that empower youth players to navigate their athletic journeys effectively. Throughout the discussion, we delve into the intricacies of player evaluation, recruitment strategies, and the collaborative efforts required between coaches, parents, and players to foster an environment conducive to growth. Hicks emphasizes the importance of character and academic performance as paramount factors influencing recruitment opportunities. Ultimately, this episode serves as a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics within grassroots basketball, underscoring the transformative potential of effective mentorship and guidance in shaping the future of aspiring athletes.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

You’ll want to take a few notes as you listen to this episode with Chris Hicks, operations manager for Midwest Basketball Club and the Event Director for Bleacher Prospects.

Website - https://midwestbasketballclub.com/ https://bleacherprospect.com/

Email - chris.g.hicks.74@gmail.com

Twitter/X - @ChrisHicks513

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your...

On this episode, Mike and Jason discuss the James Harden for Darius Garland trade between the Clippers and Cavaliers. They try to wrap their heads around why the Cavs would trade for Harden, their ceiling with Harden on the team, and if the Cavs can somehow pull off another trade for Giannis.

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

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The 23rd edition of “The Triple Double” with Rob Brost, Bolingbrook (IL) High School Boys’ Basketball Head Coach. Rob, Mike, & Jason hit on three basketball topics in each episode of “The Triple Double”.

1. The best lesson Rob ever learned from a player
2. What's something Rob believed in strongly as a young coach that he's completely changed his mind on?
3. If Rob's team could only be elite at just one thing to win games, what would it be?

Website - https://il.8to18.com/bolingbrook/athletics/basketball/b/v

Email - raidershoops@comcast.net

Twitter - @BrookHoops

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit drdishbasketball.com today.

Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast.

Ethan Stewart-Smith is in his 11th season as the Men’s Basketball Head Coach at Washington & Jefferson College. Faced with the task of rebuilding the program from the ground up when he took over in 2015, the Presidents have enjoyed great success with five winning seasons in the past six. W&J has twice finished the regular season atop of the PAC. The Presidents captured the 2021-22 PAC Tournament title and reached the finals again in 2024-25.

Stewart-Smith joined W&J after a successful season as an assistant at Carnegie Mellon University in 2014-15. Prior to that, he spent five seasons as an assistant at Dickinson College.

Before heading to Dickinson, Stewart-Smith was an assistant coach for one season at his alma mater, Penn State Altoona, where he graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with concentrations in marketing and management. Ethan was a four-year starter at Altoona, where he was an all-conference selection as a junior and finished his playing career as the school's all-time leader in assists and steals. He still ranks in the top 10 in numerous statistical categories for the Lions.

On this episode Mike & Ethan discuss Ethan Stewart Smith the challenges inherent in the collegiate basketball landscape. Ethan hits on the often-overlooked learning curve that high school seniors and their families encounter when transitioning to a college program, particularly at the Division III level. Coach Smith emphasizes that many players, despite their prior successes, underestimate the rigorous demands and competitive nature of collegiate athletics. He also shares insights from his own coaching journey, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the cultivation of a strong team culture, particularly during the rebuilding phases of a program. Throughout this episode, we delve into the multifaceted aspects of player development, recruitment, and the profound impact of mentorship within the realm of college basketball.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Be sure to grab a notebook and pen before you listen to this episode with Ethan Stewart-Smith, Men’s Basketball Head Coach at Washington & Jefferson College.

Website - https://gopresidents.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email - estewartsmith@washjeff.edu

Twitter/X - @coachestew

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

A Perfect Gift To Your Team for the Holidays!

Score Big on Dr. Dish Basketball's End of Year Sale and give your team the gift of extra, more efficient reps this season! 🎁

👉 Learn More: Visit