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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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