This week's episode of @Notevend2 features Melvin Council Jr. Melvin grew up in Rochester where he attended high school at Greece Athena and UPrep. The standout guard committed to play for Monroe Community College for his first two years of college basketball (2021-23). After two years of being recognized as a NJCAA all-american, Council committed to Wagner.

At Wagner, Melvin led Wagner to their first conference championship since 2003. Council was named 1st-team All-NEC during a campaign averaging 14.9 points and 5.7 assists. Melvin's name began to buzz after leading Wagner, as a #6 seed, to a conference championship. After winning the NEC, Wagner had to play in the First Four game in the NCAA tournament. Council had a historic performance to lead his team to victory over Howard. In just one season playing in the NEC, the Wagner star entered the transfer portal.

The rising senior heard from plenty of high major schools after his run during March Madness. Council ended up committing to St. Bonaventure to play in the A-10. Melvin has been one of the best guards in the conference and Bonaventure picked up their second consecutive 20+ win season.

Hear about his journey growing up in Rochester, his favorite memories from Wagner's tournament run, and what his mindset is going into the A-10 tournament. This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:13

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:13-05:17

Intro- 05:17-10:24 Scouting @ St. Bonaventure, Best Guard in the A-10?- 10:24-13:13

Mindset going into A-10 Tournament, Bonaventure's Fan Base, WOJ Joining Bonaventure- 13:13-17:56

Coach Mark Schmidt, Story of the WWE Belt- 17:56-22:39

Growing up in Rochester, Mothers Impact- 22:39-29:18

Court Case in HS, Motivations after Case- 29:18-37:42

Playing JUCO Basketball- 37:42-42:07

Break- 42:07-42:17

Wagner's 2023-24 NCAA Playoff Run, Top Memories in March Madness- 42:17-51:08

Recruitment Process after Wagner, Choosing St. Bonaventure- 51:08-53:42

Opinions on the A-10, "Dog" Leadership Mindset, Future for Melvin Council- 53:42-01:03:10

Rapid Fire (Favorite Artist, Favorite Food, Favorite NBA Player)- 01:03:10-01:04:57

Starting 5: Best Rochester Hoopers- 01:04:57-01:07:09

Intro to Empire 8 Segment- 01:07:09-01:08:10

Alyssa Polosky (Geneseo WBB, Head Coach)- 01:08:10-01:23:56

Dayion Thompson (Utica MBB, G)- 01:23:56-01:30:07

Only in D3- 01:30:07-01:34:47

Outro- 01:34:47-01:35:23

Octavio Brito, two time Divison 3 All-American joins this week's episode of @Notevend2 . Brito is a Rhode Island native and has dominated the LEC during his time at Keene State. After winning the LEC Rookie of the Year in the 2021-22 season, Brito finished his sophomore and junior seasons as an All-American. During his team at KSC, Octavio has won the LEC championship every year. Brito is closing in on the all-time Keene State scoring record and one of few to ever be a 3x All-American.

Now in his final year playing for the Owls, the senior is playing at his highest level. Octavio is averaging 22.9 points per game (11th in the country) while leading Keene State to another #1 seed heading into the conference playoffs. KSC has been nationally ranked in the top 25 for most of the year and will be on every teams radar going into the NCAA tournament.

Hear about his journey leading up to Keene State, his favorite memories playing for KSC, and his future goals post college.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:10

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-04:54

Intro- 04:54-09:57

Mindset Heading into Conference Playoffs, Entering Transfer Portal- 09:57-12:18

Breaking Keene States Scoring Record, Leaving Legacy at Keene State- 12:18-13:31

Relationship with Coach Enright, Playing for 3 Different Coaches during Career- 13:31-15:13

Summer Basketball with Keene State, Hoop Scene in Rhode Island- 15:13-18:50

Recruitment out of HS, Relationship/Duo with Jeff Hunter- 18:50-22:19

Keene States Dominance in the LEC, Hosting NCAA Tournament at Home, Mindset going into Big Games- 22:19-26:57

Break- 26:57-27:06

Playing Against D'vontay Friga, Ty vs. Octavio 1v1- 27:06-30:19

Off-season Work, Scoring 2k points, Best Class in KSC History?- 30:19-34:44

Future for Octavio Brito- 34:44-35:44

Rapid Fire (Top 3 RI Hoopers, Favorite LEC Matchups, Funniest Teammates, Music, Favorite Buckets)- 35:44-41:23

Starting 5: Best Players Played With- 41:23-43:39

Empire 8 Segment (Peyton Maneri- Brockport WBB G)- 43:39-47:18

Only in D3- 47:18-49:20

Outro- 49:20-49:55

​ @Notevend2 talks with NYU's standout guard, Hampton Sanders, on this week's episode. Hampton grew up in South Brunswick, New Jersey and graduated from Lawrenceville High School. After his senior year of high school, Sanders played AAU for Rod Wave Elite (RWE). The popular AAU program founded by Cam Wilder took off over the last few years and Hampton has remained a popular name surrounding the program.

Hampton committed to @NYUAthletics ahead of the 2023-24 season. That same year the Violets won a shared UAA conference title. This year, the Violets picked up right where they left off, as they are currently ranked #2 in the country. Hampton, now with a bigger role, is averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists as one of the most efficient players in Division 3. Currently holding a 21-1 (10-1) record, Hampton and the rest of the NYU team have high hopes for the rest of the season. Hear about Hampton's favorite memories playing for RWE, perspective being a student-athlete at a prestigious school like NYU, and what to expect from the #2 ranked team come NCAA tournament time.

This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to follow the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:17

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-03:08

Intro- 03:08-09:37

Buzzer Beater against Chicago, Division 3 Parity- 09:37-11:28

Better Hoop State: NY vs. NJ, Relationship with Hank Morgan, Runs @ NYU this Summer- 11:28-17:49

NYU's Trip to China, Partnership with Hoop Culture- 17:49-20:19

Playing for Rod Wave Elite, Relationship with Cam Wilder / Zeddy Will, Favorite Memories with RWE- 20:19-27:13

Break- 27:13-27:26

Recruitment out of HS, Choosing NYU, Academics @ NYU- 27:26-34:06

NYU MBB Success, Mindset coming off the Bench, Favorite Matchups in the UAA- 34:06-41:33

NESCAC vs. UAA Debate- 41:33-44:23

Personal Focus for the Remainder of the Year- 44:23-46:28

Rapid Fire (Favorite things to do in NYC, Funniest RWE Player(s), Favorite Artists / Jersey Club)- 46:28-51:25

Starting 5: Best RWE Players- 51:25-53:41

Only in D3- 53:41-55:48

Outro- 55:48-56:24