In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller welcome Michael Crotty, director and head coach of the Middlesex Magic 17U team. Crotty discusses the history and impact of the Middlesex Magic program, established by his father in 1993. They delve into his summer experiences, commitment season, and the developmental journey of standout players like Alex Wilkins and Ryder Frost. Additionally, Crotty shares stories involving NBA players Pat Connaughton, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Kolek, who are Magic alumni. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of grassroots basketball, the importance of mental toughness and role definition, and future goals for the program.

Topics

00:28 Special Guest: Michael Crotty of Middlesex Magic

00:40 Middlesex Magic's Impact and Achievements

00:56 Mike Crotty's Journey and Career

01:44 Summer Activities and Current Season

02:08 Commitments and College Recruitment

04:44 Challenges and Gratification in Coaching

08:34 Managing Multiple Players and Expectations

12:11 Alex Wilkins' Journey to Division I

15:20 Ryder Frost's Development and Success

19:18 The Importance of Physical Development

21:47 Joining the Under Armour Circuit

27:12 Defying Stereotypes in Grassroots Basketball

30:49 Building a Team Culture

32:26 Legacy and Values

33:21 NBA Success Stories

34:22 Lessons from Pat and Duncan

38:52 Memorable Moments

44:47 Future of the Program

47:42 Full Court Press: Panel Discussion

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt dive deep into the basketball scene in New England with special guest Vinh Bui. They explore Vin's significant impact on the Boston City basketball community, his experiences with Shooting Touch, and his coaching journey at Nobles and other institutions. The conversation takes a personal turn as Vin shares insights about his niece, Christina Pham, and the relationships and challenges that shape inner-city Boston basketball culture. They also discuss the impact of three-point shooting and analytics on modern basketball, highlighting both positive changes and potential drawbacks. The episode wraps up with a fun segment, 'Full Court Press,' where the hosts and Vin share their thoughts on favorite non-star players.

Topics

00:24 Guest Introduction: Vin Bui's Impact on Boston Basketball

01:01 Vinh Bui's Hong Kong Experience

03:16 Nobles Basketball Success and Challenges

07:12 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

15:09 Building an Independent Program: Shooting Touch

22:56 Game Planning and Toughest Opponents

26:31 Looking Ahead: Future Prospects and Personal Reflections

33:09 Reflecting on Parental Influence in Sports

33:44 Balancing Support and Criticism

34:43 Coaching Philosophy and Responsibilities

37:18 Challenges of Growing Up in Boston

41:13 Community and Basketball in Boston

44:26 Christina's Basketball Journey and Aspirations

49:13 The Impact of the Three-Point Revolution

53:45 Analytics in Basketball: Boon or Bane?

57:27 Favorite Non-Star Players

01:02:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast from New England Basketball Journal, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive deep into the New England basketball scene. They are joined by their first guest, Leo Papile, the founder of the Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC), established in 1977. Leo shares insights from his storied career, including his time working with the Celtics and Clippers, and his role in US men's national development team. The conversation covers the BABC's recent season, standout players and future prospects. The podcast also touches on the broader basketball landscape, AAU misconceptions, NIL impacts, and the evolution of recruiting. A light-hearted ‘Full Court Press’ segment wraps up the episode with rapid-fire questions about rules and memorable moments in basketball.

Topics

00:26 Introducing the First Guests: Leo Papile and Cotton

01:13 Leo Papile on Basketball Downtime and Olympic Insights

05:21 Discussing BABC's Season and Performance

09:06 Highlighting Top Players and Their Prospects

17:42 Recruitment and Academic Challenges

24:53 The Philosophy of Team and Individual Success

31:01 The Misnomer of AAU Basketball

32:27 Evolution of Grassroots Basketball Leagues

35:31 NIL Deals in Amateur Basketball

39:23 Coaching Philosophy and Longevity

43:44 Full Court Press: Rapid Fire Questions

54:45 Closing Thoughts and Reflections