Kadre Gray, Laurentian Legend and Canada Basketball SMNT Veteran, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Kadre sit down with us to share his basketball story thus far. Kadre tells us about his season this year in Romania and how he and his team are optimistic for the playoff run. Kadre talks about growing up in Toronto and loving basketball from an early age. KG shares how he played multiple sports and who he looked up to in basketball. Kadre shares how he made his way to Laurentian University where he would cement himself as an all time great in USports basketball; playing under Head Coach Shawn Swords. Kadre touches on the impact Shawn and the Swords family had on him both on and off the floor. KG tells us about the start to his pro career, favourite stops on the journey and why the CEBL is important to basketball in Canada.

And you know we get into the Canada Basketball stories with Kadre. KG shares why he loves to play for Canada, his friendships with his teammates, playing for Nathaniel Mitchell and more. Plus, Kadre gives us his great Top 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Kadre shared a lot of wisdom and reflection with us and we are grateful he could join us. Much love to Kadre Gray for joining us on Canada Hoops!

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James DePoe, SMNT Team Manager for Canada Basketball, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! If you know Canada Basketball you have surely heard the name James DePoe. James sits down with us to share his basketball story and takes us deep into Canada Basketball. James tells us about balancing his roles at both Humber College and Canada Basketball and how he is excited to get back with the SMNT for the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifier next month. James tells us about his sports background and how he eventually got started with Canada Basketball. The Canada Basketball career of James DePoe is INCREDIBLE and James shares all kind of memories and stories of his time with the Program thus far. From the age group teams, the 2017 U19 FIBA World Cup Championships , the SMNT at the 2023 FIBA WORLD CUP and the 2024 Paris Olympics the nuggets don't stop with James. James speaks on the leadership and work ethic of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks being the ultimate teammate and why Lu Dort is an underrated player for Canada Basketball. And you know James DePoe gives us an incredible Top/Favourite 5 for Canada Basketball. If you love Canada Basketball this episode with James DePoe is a MUST. Much love to SMNT Team Manager James DePoe for joining us on Canada Hoops Podcast !

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Josh Lewenberg, the Raptors Reporter for TSN, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Josh sits down with us to talk the Toronto Raptors, his career in broadcasting and journalism, early memories watching the Raptors at the SkyDome and Canada Basketball. Josh talks the SMNT for Canada Basketball and why he thinks the Program is in really good shape. And Josh gives us a great Top 5 for Canadian players to interview and interact with. Much love to JLew, Josh Lewenberg, for joining us on Canada Hoops Podcast !

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David Turcotte, SMNT Alumni and 1988 Olympian, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Dave sits down with us to share his basketball story. Dave touches on his life post playing career and tells us about growing up in Sudbury, Ontario where he started to learn and love basketball. Dave talks about the Sudbury basketball scene and the many influences that helped shape his basketball journey; especially the Canada Basketball legend Eli Pasquale. Dave tells us how he makes his way to play at Colorado State through a strange twist of fate while playing for Canada Basketball. Dave talks about his pro journey, his short time in the NBA and then some stops overseas as well. Dave dives deep into Canada Basketball with us and shares some incredible moments and stories from playing with the Senior Mens National Team for Canada Basketball. From moments with teammates, the 1988 Olympics, tales of other SMNT Legends like Steve Nash, Leo Rautins and more Dave shares stories that a Canada Basketball fan will be sure to love. Dave talks about the recent reunion in Toronto for the SMNT Alumni prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighting the current players for the SMNT and then gives us a great Top 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Much love to David Turcotte for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Philip Jevtovic, Director of High Performance, Analytics and Strategy for Canada Basketball, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Phil graciously sits down with us to share his basketball story. Phil talks about the recent SMNT Qualifiers in Saskatoon for the FIBA AmeriCup and how the SMNT looks heading into the February Qualifiers. Phil tells us about his work with the Junior Academy and how he loves to work with the age groups for the Program; helping the athletes move along towards the SMNT. Phil tells us how basketball came into his life especially during summers spent in Serbia. Phil makes his way to McGill University to play before he discovers the analytics and strategy of basketball. Phil is then brought into Canada Basketball to develop his analytics even further for the Program. Phil takes us through his incredible journey with Canada Basketball thus far: speaking on his friendships, relationships and role with coaches and players alike for the Program. Phil speaks on the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics and gives us insight into why both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks are great dudes on and off the court. And you know Phil J gives us a great Favourite 5 of all time for Canada Basketball : showing love to some all time Warriors for the Program. Much love to Philip Jevtovic for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Kyle Alexander, 2023 SMNT Canada Basketball FIBA World Cup Bronze Medalist, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Kyle sits down with us to share his basketball story thus far. Kyle tells us about his season with Turk Telekom Ankara in Turkey and how he is approaching his game this year. Kyle tells us about life off the court in Turkey and how he is embracing the Turkish culture. Kyle takes us back to growing up in Milton, Ontario, playing other sports before basketball started to really take shape for him. Kyle links up with Bobby Allen to train at Bobbys' academy before he lands at Orangeville Prep. At Orangeville, Kyle plays alongside Jamal Murray and Kyle reminisces on his time as a Bear with Jamal and his other teammates. Eventually, Kyle lands a scholarship at the University of Tennessee where he played for legendary Head Coach Rick Barnes. Kyle tells us about being a Volunteer and how his game elevated in Knoxville to land him on NBA Draft boards. Kyle talks about turning pro, what his pro journey has looked like thus far and his time with the Miami Heat in the NBA. Kyle tells us about his time with the Heat for the 2020 NBA Finals in the "Bubble" vs the Los Angeles Lakers.
And you know Kyle talks about his time with Canada Basketball ! Kyle speaks on what it means for he and his family for him to represent Canada and Canada Basketball and the connection he and his sister Kayla share playing for the SMNT and SWNT respectively. Kyle talks about the 2023 FIBA World Cup Team and how special it was to be a part of that group. Kyle shares wth us his close relationships with his teammates on the SMNT and shows love to past Canada Hoops guests. And you know Kyle gives us his great Top/Favourite 5 for Canada Basketball. This is an episode you don't want to miss ! Much love to Kyle Alexander for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Our friend Jonathan Chen, the Canada Basketball specialist, pulls up to discuss the upcoming FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers for the SMNT for Canada Basketball in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We break down the roster, who we think is important for these games and the SMNT moving forward. Jonathan discusses the coaching approach for Head Coach Nathaniel Mitchell and we talk about why this window and the FIBA AmeriCup are important as Canada Basketball looks ahead to the next FIBA World Cup and ultimately the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We also talk about the Canadian NBA story lines thus far in the first month of the 2024-2025 NBA Season. Zach Edey has been impressive to start his NBA career. The Canadians have been putting in the work in the NBA to start the season and we touch on the play of Shadeon Sharpe, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and more. Much love to Jonathan Chen for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Bobby Allen, the certified bucket, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Bobby sits down with us to share his basketball story. Bobby tells Matty about the Bobby Allen Skills Academy and how he loves to share and teach the game with the players in his Program. Bobby reflects on his legendary game coming out of Malton and at Morningstar. Bobby shares how he was playing with the SMNT for Canada Basketball in high school competing against the likes of Leo Rautins, Jay Triano and Eli Pasquale. Bobby tells us about his JUCO and NCAA career before he took his game pro.
And you know we get into the Canada Basketball story. Bobby shares why Steve Nash is such a great dude on and off the court and Bobby reflects on his friendships and relationships with his teammates from Canada Basketball . Then Bobby gives us his incredible Favourite 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Much love to the bucket Bobby Allen for joining us on Canada Hoops!
Stay positive everyone!

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