HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

Boys Prep Basketball Preview with Brad Feldman

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller are joined by Brad Feldman to delve into a comprehensive preview of NEPSAC basketball. The conversation covers key prospects, teams and potential champions across various divisions, including AAA, AA, A, B Large, B Small and C. Highlighting standout schools like Newman, St. Thomas More, Cushing and Milton Academy, the hosts and guest provide insights on players to watch, sleeper picks and breakout stars for the upcoming season. The episode is packed with detailed analysis, predictions and stories from the basketball landscape in New England.
 
Topics
00:27 Special Guest: Brad Felman
00:39 Prep Boys Preview Show
00:54 Brad's Busy Fall and Open Gyms
02:08 Local Food Recommendations
03:37 Class AAA Basketball Preview
04:17 Newman School's Dominance
07:34 St. Thomas More and Other Contenders
08:48 Darrow School's Rising Talent
09:28 Vermont Academy and Other Teams to Watch
17:01 Putnam Science Academy's Strong Start
20:17 Class AA Basketball Preview
29:58 Electric Performance and Potential
30:16 St. George's and ISL Champs Discussion
31:46 Cushing Academy's Depth and Potential
33:08 Class A Championship Contenders
44:05 Class B Large and Small Teams
51:25 Sleepers and Breakout Players
55:52 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

Needham Coach & Performance Psychologist Lindsay Miller

Steve and Ethan welcome Lindsay Miller, newly appointed head coach at Needham High School. Lindsay discusses her background as a player from Westwood High School with multiple records, her playing days at Harvard, and her coaching experiences at Harvard and Rivers. She delves into her work as a certified mental performance consultant, focusing on how she helps athletes, coaches, and teams maximize performance and manage anxiety. Lindsay shares insights on the importance of positive self-talk, mindfulness practices, and the impact of community in sports. The conversation also covers her thoughts on intentional fouling and flopping in basketball. The episode concludes with a fun segment discussing rules with producer David Yas.
 
Topics
00:27 Introducing Lindsay Miller: New Head Coach at Needham
01:38 Mental Performance Consulting Explained
04:16 Common Stressors Among Young Athletes
05:41 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes
08:19 Differences in Mental Health Between Male and Female Athletes
13:11 Mindfulness and Mental Exercises for Athletes
20:24 Lindsay Miller's Return to Coaching at Needham
24:56 Lindsay Miller's Unique Career Path
26:22 Lessons from Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith
27:54 The Legacy of Kathy Delaney-Smith
30:43 Harvard's Tournament Run and Coaching Rivalries
32:11 Memorable Players and Toughest Matchups
34:12 Full Court Press: Basketball Rules and Strategies
46:36 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

MAI Sporting Director John Carroll

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt sit down with John Carroll, the sporting director for basketball at Masters Academy International (MAI). The conversation delves into Carroll's role in creating a top-tier sports academy poised to be the 'IMG Academy of the North,' which is set to launch in fall 2026. They explore the vision for MAI, discuss its potential impact on the New England basketball landscape, and compare it with existing academies like IMG. Carroll shares insights into his dual roles at Newman School and MAI, and the challenges and opportunities they present. The episode also touches on Carroll's scouting experience with the WNBA's LA Sparks and his thoughts on fostering athletic excellence.
 
Topics
00:29 Introducing John Carroll and Masters Academy International
01:31 The Vision and Development of Masters Academy
02:32 Challenges and Opportunities in New England Basketball
04:59 The Impact of Masters Academy on Local Talent
15:28 Current Progress and Future Plans for MAI
17:41 Basketball Program Structure and Recruitment
29:33 Balancing Roles at Newman and Masters Academy
32:48 Reflecting on Career Transitions
33:12 Embracing New Opportunities
33:44 Exciting Roles and Experiences
34:54 Newman Basketball Team Insights
35:25 Building a Winning Culture
39:27 Challenges and Changes in Prep School Sports
41:30 Future of Prep School Athletics
45:48 Full Court Press: Basketball Icons and Moments
57:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Legendary Coach Clinton Lassiter

Ethan sits down with Clinton Lassiter, the all-time winningest coach in Massachusetts high school basketball history. With co-host Steve Hewitt absent, Fuller explores Lassiter's unique approach to coaching, balancing competitive excellence with genuine care for his players, many of whom face significant personal challenges. Lassiter, who serves as the vice principal and head coach at Cathedral High School, shares his commitment to maintaining a winning culture, navigating obstacles, and providing low-cost opportunities for inner-city youth through his AAU program, the Boston Showstoppers. The discussion also touches on the growth of women's basketball, the importance of role models, and the intrinsic relationship between sports and life skills.
 
Topics
00:29 Meet Clinton Lassiter
00:51 Coach Lassiter's Fashion and Coaching Philosophy
02:40 Balancing Coaching and Personal Life
03:39 Building a Winning Culture
09:35 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Inner City Girls
22:32 Overcoming Stereotypes and Representing Boston
30:56 The Importance of Low-Cost Opportunities in Basketball
33:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Latest On Recruiting in New England

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller provide an in-depth look at the latest trends and updates in New England basketball recruiting. They discuss recent player commitments, notable prospects in the 2026 class, and the increasing impact of revenue sharing on mid-major schools' recruiting capabilities. Both Steve and Ethan share insights from recent visits to open gyms and the New England Recruiting Report showcases. Additionally, they play an NBA trivia game, highlighting the lighter side of their basketball discussions.
 
Topics
00:20 Hosts Catch Up and Episode Overview
00:44 Recruiting and Commitment Updates
01:40 Fantasy Football Banter
02:14 Boys' Basketball Commitments
05:03 Girls' Basketball Commitments
14:08 Impact of NIL and Revenue Sharing
29:59 Upcoming Prospects to Watch
33:51 Top High School Basketball Prospects
35:21 Rising Stars in Girls' Basketball
38:34 Upcoming Talent to Watch
39:51 Exciting Open Gym Visits
42:51 Spotlight on Chance Finlayson
50:18 NBA Trivia Challenge
56:42 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Nobles Coach Lambros Papalambros

The guest is Lambros Papalambros, the boys' head coach at Nobles and coach of the Middlesex Magic Hoop Group team. The discussion touches upon Papalambros's coaching journey, the dynamics of AAU and NEPSAC basketball, his approach to fostering team culture and player development, and reflections on the current state of youth basketball. The episode also includes engaging segments on favorite playing memories, overlooked players, and NBA conspiracies.
 
Topics
00:31 Guest Introduction: Lambros Papalambros
00:50 Coaching Journey and Achievements
01:13 Challenges and Successes with Middlesex Magic
08:09 Key Players and Their Development
14:49 Transition to School Season at Nobles
24:04 Building Team Culture and Goals
31:22 Positive Coaching Philosophy
35:21 Embracing Positivity in Coaching
35:35 The Role of Positive Reinforcement
37:55 Challenges and Rewards of High School Basketball
39:47 Specialization in Youth Sports
43:37 The Evolution of Youth Athletes
46:01 Rapid Fire Questions
51:55 Full Court Press: NBA Conspiracies and More
01:03:55 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

AJ Dybantsa: His Path & His Future

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller interview blue-chip basketball star AJ Dybantsa. AJ shares his recent activities, including trips to Monaco for the Grand Prix and Jamaica, as well as his workouts at BYU. The discussion covers AJ's experiences with Kevin Young, his personal development on defense, strategic insights from NBA players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards, and the differences between U.S. and international basketball. The podcast also delves into AJ's perspective on college basketball, future goals, the importance of ranking first in the NBA draft, and his engagement with fans and media. The episode concludes with a segment of Full-Court Press, where AJ shares favorite basketball memories and movie recommendations.
 
Topics
00:34 AJ's Busy Summer
01:16 Monaco Grand Prix Experience
02:04 Transition to College Life at BYU
03:56 Defensive Skills and NBA Insights
08:30 NBA Playoffs and Player Analysis
13:29 Future NBA Prospects and Draft Goals
16:03 Memories from NEP Sac and St. Sebs
16:44 Reconnecting with Old Teammates
17:29 Toughest Matchups and Players to Watch
18:49 International Basketball vs. US Basketball
20:26 Excitement for College Basketball
20:54 Embracing Public Life and Giving Back
22:35 Full-Court Press: Fun and Games
31:23 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Shane Laflin on the Future of Girls' Basketball

Steve and Ethan are joined by Shane Laflin, Director of Evaluating Services at Premier Basketball. They discuss Shane’s journey in basketball, his insights on talent evaluation, and the ascendance of the girls' game over the past decade. Shane shares his thoughts on key attributes for successful recruits, the impact of NIL, and provides detailed evaluations of top New England prospects. They also delve into critical issues and potential future developments in girls' basketball and grassroots tournaments. The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire segment exploring favorite basketball players and games.
 
Topics
00:36 Guest Introduction: Shane Laflin
01:41 Shane Laughlin's Background and Career Path
02:27 The Evolution of Premier Basketball
12:41 Insights on Talent Evaluation
19:03 Importance of Intangibles and Leadership
23:57 Advice for Top Recruits
33:01 Spotlight on New England Players
36:37 Analyzing Defensive Rotations and Offensive Schemes
36:55 Player Development and Shooting Mechanics
37:31 Concerns and Potential of Young Players
39:19 The Value and Impact of Player Rankings
40:34 Responsibilities and Challenges in Player Evaluation
46:34 Future of Girls High School Basketball
54:06 Full Court Press: Quickfire Questions
01:01:57 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Gratitude

The Hoops/Hockey Crossover Show

This crossover episode between New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise and New England Basketball Journal's Hoop Wise podcasts. The hosts discuss the idea of merging the discussions around the two sports, focusing on the differences and similarities in player development, recruitment, and the unique challenges each sport faces. Topics covered include the yearly schedules for basketball and hockey, the impact of club and prep teams on player growth, the role of advisors and agents, the rising cost of playing these sports at elite levels, and the potential of future changes in the structure and governance of these youth sports.
 
Topics
01:13 Basketball vs. Hockey: Seasonal Differences
01:38 Open Gyms and Recruitment in Basketball
04:18 Fall Hockey Showcases and College Scouting
05:33 The Role of Club Teams in Player Development
12:05 Prep School and Club Team Dynamics
16:52 Balancing Multiple Sports and Commitments
26:46 Shoe Circuits and Sponsorships in Basketball
31:25 Exploring Brand Influence in Basketball and Hockey
31:53 The Business of AAU and College Recruiting
35:09 Junior Hockey Pathways and College Eligibility
46:38 The Role of Advisors and Agents in Youth Sports
51:46 The Rising Costs of Youth Sports
57:45 The Impact of Club Teams on Local Hockey Programs
59:46 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Rising Star Ella Peper

The guest is Ella Peper, who is ranked fourth nationally in the class of 2028 by ESPN. Peper discusses her busy summer schedule, player development, and her experiences with AAU and national team tryouts. The conversation also covers her recruitment process, training routines, and future aspirations in basketball. The episode concludes with a fun segment of rapid-fire questions, offering insights into her personal interests and habits.
 
Topics
00:27 Introducing Ella Peper
01:10 Ella's Summer and Training Regimen
02:06 Player Development and Skills
03:41 Strength Training and Nutrition
08:09 U16 National Team Tryouts Experience
10:48 AAU Season Highlights
14:40 Recruiting and College Prospects
18:25 Leadership and Future Goals
22:29 Dunking and Athleticism
24:42 Dreams and Aspirations
25:26 WNBA Expansion and Pro Dreams
26:34 Full Court Press: Rapid Fire Questions
29:09 Favorite Basketball Movies
31:18 Game Day Superstitions
35:17 Outdoor Basketball Games
36:49 Favorite Jersey Numbers
38:34 Excitement Beyond Basketball
40:50 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts