In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Ras Vanderloo, longtime head coach at Sioux City East High School, USA Basketball coach, and one of the most respected voices in high school basketball.

Coach Vanderloo has:

- Over 300 wins as a head coach (as of February 2026)
- Multiple state tournament appearances
- Named the State of Iowa Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2023.
- USA Basketball: Since 2019, he has served as a coach for the USA Men's
Junior National Team minicamps and has been a featured speaker at various USA Basketball Coach Academies.
- Assistant coach for the Men’s 3x3 Nation’s League

But in this conversation, we focus on something that might surprise some traditional coaches…

Why 3x3 basketball is one of the most powerful development tools available today.

We talk about:

- How Coach Ras’ view of player development has evolved over time

- What he first noticed when he saw players compete in 3x3

- What 3x3 teaches that 5-on-5 often doesn’t (or doesn’t teach as quickly)

- How 3x3 forces decision-making and problem-solving

- Where middle school and JV coaches can implement 3x3 in practice

- Common misconceptions coaches have about 3x3

- Why adaptability and lifelong learning matter more than ever

If you’re a middle school, JV, or varsity coach looking to develop smarter, tougher, more adaptable players — this episode is for you.

We’re building a community of coaches who care about development, basketball IQ, and creating better learning environments through 3on3 Hoops Nation.

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Follow Coach Ras:
https://www.instagram.com/rvanderloo/

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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we take the conversation international.

We’re joined by Martin Dyan, founder and CEO of Rise 3x3 in the UK — a year-round 3x3 basketball organization dedicated to growing the game from grassroots to elite.

Martin shares:

- How 3x3 first captured him
- The emotional story behind his first tournament
- Why he believes 3x3 is more than just a format
- The challenges of building a movement from scratch
- How 3x3 can create opportunities for players, coaches, officials, and communities

This isn’t a USA vs UK conversation.

It’s about vision.
It’s about passion.
It’s about building something meaningful around the game we love.

If you care about the future of basketball — this one’s for you.

Follow Martin:
https://www.instagram.com/martind3x3/
https://www.instagram.com/rise3x3/
https://www.instagram.com/3x3pod/

Rise 3x3
https://www.rise3x3.com/

Follow the 3on3 Hoops Pod:
https://www.instagram.com/3on3hoopspod/

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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Marcus Ludwig, head assistant coach for the boys varsity program at Baldwinsville High School in Syracuse, NY, for an honest, coach-to-coach conversation about growth, perspective, and player development.

This episode is for middle school, JV, and varsity coaches — especially those early in their coaching journey who are still figuring things out.

We talk about:

- What young coaches often misunderstand early on
- Why coaching is more than wins, losses, and the scoreboard
- The difference between being a head coach and an assistant coach
- How pressure, ego, and expectations change over time
- When to coach, when to stay quiet, and how players actually learn
- How small-sided play and 3on3 basketball can support long-term development

This isn’t about systems or schemes.
It’s about experience, growth, and learning how to coach the right way.

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Roberts and Coach J
🌐 Join the community at 3on3HoopsNation.com

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