The Basketball Podcast

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Sandy Brondello on Insights from a Championship Season (EP365) Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on a championship season.

Sandy Brondello is a two-time WNBA Champion head coach, and holds an overall regular season record of 244-164 (.598) over her 12 combined seasons at the helm of the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and San Antonio Silver Stars - making her the sixth-winningest coach in WNBA history.

In 2014, Brondello was named the WNBA Coach of the Year after she led Phoenix to a WNBA regular season-record 29 wins and capped the season with a WNBA Championship. In 2023, Brondello led the Liberty to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship and first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002. Brondello made history in 2024 after leading the New York Liberty to its first WNBA Championship in franchise history and the city's first professional basketball championship since 1973.

A 20-year veteran of the WNBA coaching ranks, Brondello has been affiliated with the league for 25 of its 28 seasons, including her time as a player. A proven winner internationally and in the WNBA, her 20 total years as an assistant coach and head coach have featured 17 playoff appearances, highlighted by a perfect 12-for-12 in postseason berths as a head coach.

Brondello also became the coach of the Australian Women's national team, the Opals in 2017.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Australian team won the bronze medal, the team's first Olympic medal since a bronze in 2012.

Lindsey Wilson on Belief is a Skill (EP364) Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

In this week's coaching conversation, mindset and mental performance coach Lindsey Wilson joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss belief as a skill.

Lindsey Wilson is a mindset and mental performance coach best known as The Sports Hypnotist™. With a professional basketball career spanning close to a decade, Lindsey took her knowledge of the mental game to work with collegiate athletes, professional athletes from Olympians and players in the NFL and WNBA, all the way to youth athletes.

She is the founder of Positive Performance™ and The Mindset Coach Academy™ where she helps aspiring mental performance coaches start their dream business and impact lives. She’s also the author of the upcoming book Think Like an Athlete which teaches the critical and undertrained skill of belief and how to build it to be successful on the playing field and off.

Lindsey’s exposure to mental performance came at age 16 and completely changed her perspective on how to navigate physical training with her mental barriers. She also learned the power of belief and importance of consistently training it to achieve the highest goals. Despite a successful career, she did fall short of her ultimate athletic goals but is using that experience and message to create and surpass her professional goals! Her mission is to teach mental performance tools so that coaches can have a massive impact on athletes’ performance, enjoyment of competing and life.

Hernando Planells from Hollywood Sets to Global Coaching (EP363) Mar 12, 2025

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In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Hernando Planells shares lessons from Hollywood sets and global coaching.

With over two decades of experience spanning professional and collegiate basketball, as well as film and TV, Hernando Planells is a dynamic coach, film and tv sports coordinator, and leadership consultant. As the Technical Director of the NBA Basketball School in Dubai, he combines his passion for basketball with a mission to inspire the next generation of athletes across the UAE.

Hernando's coaching career includes:

Duke University (Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Led the team to an ACC Championship, two Elite Eights, and six NCAA Tournament appearances. Recruited, coached and developed 11 future WNBA players, including Las Vegas Aces and Team USA guard Chelsea Gray, while maintaining a 100% graduation rate.
Maine Red Claws (NBA G-League): Worked with the Boston Celtics affiliate alongside current Celtics Assistant GM Austin Ainge, developing players such as 12-year NBA veteran Avery Bradley and Mario West.
International Coaching: Served as the Head Coach for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan and the University of the East in the Philippines, as well as the head coach for the New Zealand Junior National Team.
William Jessup University (Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Guided the team to their first GSAC championship, earning Coach of the Year honors and an NAIA national tournament appearance.
University of Illinois and UNLV: Gained valuable experience under former NBA Assistant Coach Bill Bayno.

Beyond coaching, Hernando has made significant contributions to film and TV as a part owner and sports coordinator/choreographer for Game Changing Films on major projects like 'Coach Carter,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'Swagger’, 'The Crossover,' and the newly released “Running Point’ starring Kate Hudson on Netflix. ”bringing authentic basketball action to the screen. He is also the founder of Be Contagious Leadership a consulting company dedicated to empowering teams and organizations through courage, communication, and connection.

A proud father, Hernando’s son Preston Planells, who is in his first year as the assistant women's basketball coach at New Mexico State, and Gabrielle Planells, is a senior theatre student at Chico State University. Driven by a passion for storytelling, leadership, and basketball, Hernando’s goal is to empower athletes both on and off the court.

Scott Harmatuk on Applying Basketball Immersion Concepts at the High School Level (EP362) Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Exploring the real impact of Basketball Immersion on elite youth coaching with a coach who has completely transformed his approach to the game.

Klein Collins High School head coach Scott Harmatuk discusses his journey since joining Basketball Immersion—how shifting away from traditional drills and embracing game-based learning has reshaped his coaching philosophy. Learn how these changes have elevated his players’ enjoyment of practice and games, while also improving their decision-making, skill development, and overall basketball IQ, leading to noticeable growth in both individual and team performance.

Beyond Scott’s personal evolution, this episode is packed with insights for all youth coaches looking to modernize their approach. What are the biggest challenges when making the shift? What are the most impactful takeaways that any coach—regardless of level—can apply? And ultimately, what does it take to develop players who truly understand the game?

Coach Harmatuk, born and raised in Spring, TX, played basketball at Fordham University from 1996-2000. He went on to play professionally for the Brooklyn Kings (USBL) and REYNOSA UAT (Mexico-LNBP). After retiring, he began his coaching career at Spring Woods HS, followed by Nimitz HS with mentor Randy Gilmer. In 2008, he became the head coach at Klein Collins HS, where he remains today.

Since joining Basketball Immersion in 2020, Coach Harmatuk has led his team to 3 district titles and earned Coach of the Year honors 3 times. Known as a "player's coach," he builds strong relationships with his players through respect and honesty.

If you’re a coach who wants to maximize your players' potential while making practices more engaging, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s get started!

David Rebibo on Harvard Westlake's Championship Formula (EP361) Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Harvard-Westlake head coach David Rebibo joins the Basketball Podcast to share Harvard-Westlake's championship formula.

David Rebibo has transformed Harvard-Westlake into a national powerhouse and established himself as one of the premier coaches in California basketball.

Under Coach Rebibo's guidance, Harvard-Westlake has become synonymous with excellence, capturing multiple CIF championships, including three state titles (2016, 2023, 2024) and sectional championships (2012, 2017, 2023). His program's dominance in the highly competitive Mission League - winning 7 titles in the last decade - speaks to the sustainable culture of success he's built.

Beyond his 400+ career wins, Rebibo's impact on the game extends nationally through his work with USA Basketball, where he's helped develop some of America's top young talent. His coaching acumen has been widely recognized, earning CIF Coach of the Year honors multiple times (2016, 2017, 2024) and being named State Coach of the Year in 2020.

Before Harvard-Westlake, Rebibo served as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at the University of San Francisco, where he helped guide the program to its best WCC finish in 20 years and an NIT berth. His head coaching journey began at El Camino Real High School (2007-13), where he built a powerhouse program that consistently competed for City Section championships.

Rebibo's success at multiple levels - from rebuilding El Camino Real to his collegiate experience at USF to creating a national power at Harvard-Westlake - demonstrates his ability to develop talent and build sustainable winning programs at every stop in his career.

Cherokee Parks on Athletes Transitioning, Communication and Self-Discovery (EP360) Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, NBA Player Development manager Cherokee Parks joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on athletes transitioning, communication and self-discovery.

After retiring from playing, Parks transitioned into significant roles within NBA infrastructure. He became a pivotal figure in NBA Player Development, working directly in the league office to create programs, strategies, and developmental pathways for emerging players.

His work in the NBA office focused on:

Designing player transition and development programs
Creating educational initiatives for rookies
Developing strategies to support player growth beyond on-court performance
Bridging communication between players, teams, and league management

Parks' role in basketball operations leveraged his playing experience and administrative expertise to shape the next generation of basketball professionals. He remains connected to the game through various advisory and developmental roles.

Parks played college basketball at Duke University under coach Mike Krzyzewski and won the 1992 national title during his freshman year. During his collegiate tenure from 1990-1994, Parks was a critical component of Duke's basketball success.

Drafted 11th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, Parks played for nine seasons for multiple NBA franchises including the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

John Bloom on Insights from Expert Coaches (EP358) Feb 12, 2025

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In this week's basketball coaching conversation, sports performance coach John Bloom joins The Basketball Podcast to discuss strength in numbers.

John Bloom has worked as a sports performance coach at Abilene Christian University, Weber State, Texas Tech, and Oral Roberts before founding Elevated Athlete Development LLC. John's mission is to provide holistic development for athletes while creating platforms for coaches to learn, connect, and build.

At Oral Roberts University, he served as the Director of the Sports Performance Department and Head of Men's Basketball. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men's Basketball at Texas Tech University. John also contributed as the Director of Sports Performance for Men's and Women's Basketball at Weber State University. His journey began at Abilene Christian University, where he was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, responsible for Women's Basketball, Indoor/Beach Volleyball, and Men's Golf, while also assisting with Men's Basketball, Football, and Tennis.

Bloom’s book, "Strength In Numbers: An Encyclopedia of Authentic Coaching Wisdom", uncovers career-defining insights from over 100 elite coaches across all levels, from high school to professional sports. Strength In Numbers is your essential guide to building a successful, impactful coaching career.

Alex Auerbach on How to Perform Better (EP358) Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, performance psychologist Dr. Alex Auerbach joins The Basketball Podcast to share ideas on how to perform at your best.

Dr. Alex Auerbach has spent his career exploring how high performers, from athletes to business leaders, deliver superlative results and make meaningful progress toward achieving their full potential. Called to Greatness unveils the secrets he’s discovered about how to perform at your best when it matters most.

Auerbach is a licensed counseling and sport psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and board-certified coach working in professional sports. He has worked with elite teams and performers from a range of domains, including the NBA and NFL, Olympians, Army Special Forces, Fortune 5 Companies, and Venture-Backed Startups.

Dr. Auerbach earned his doctoral degree in counseling psychology with a specialization in sport and performance psychology from the University of North Texas. He received a Master’s in Business Administration from Salve Regina University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Dr. Auerbach is a member of the American Psychological Association’s Division 47 (Exercise and Sport Psychology) and Division 17 (Counseling Psychology), as well as the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Dr. Auerbach is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, a Licensed Psychologist, and a member of the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.

Angelo Gingerelli on Compete, Thrive and Win (EP357) Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Seton Hall Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Angelo Gingerelli joins The Basketball Podcast to discuss how to compete, thrive and win in College athletics.

Gingerelli is the author of The Next Four Years: Compete, Win & Thrive in College Athletics that provides a comprehensive look at the transition from high school to college athletics, offering student-athletes an essential blueprint to compete, win and thrive at the next level. Over the years he has helped thousands of student-athletes compete at the highest level of Division 1 athletics.

As the Strength & Conditioning Coach at Seton Hall University since 2005 he regularly works with hundreds of men & women each year from a variety of sports and has been a key factor in the Pirates’ success in the extremely competitive Big East Conference. He has held similar positions at Virginia Tech, North Carolina State and the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as training numerous elite high school athletes each year.

In addition to his duties in the weight room, Gingerelli is an adjunct professor (SHU’s 2024 Adjunct Professor of the Year), winner of Seton Hall’s prestigious Most Valuable Pirate Award (2011), published author, frequent podcast guest, state/regional conference presenter and has served as the New Jersey State Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Gingerelli also co-authored with Richard Boergers the book, Finish Strong: Resistance Training for Endurance Athletes.

Phil Martelli on Better Coaching (EP356) Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, former St. Joseph's head coach Phil Martelli joins The Basketball Podcast to share ideas on better coaching for growth and development.

Phil Martelli is a seasoned college basketball coaching veteran, renowned for his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Over his illustrious 24-year tenure at Saint Joseph's University, Martelli built a powerhouse basketball program that left an indelible mark on the college basketball landscape.

During his time at Saint Joseph's, Martelli amassed an impressive 444 career wins, ranking him second all-time in the program's history. Under his guidance, the Hawks secured seven Atlantic 10 regular season or divisional titles and claimed four Atlantic 10 Tournament championships. Martelli's teams made 16 postseason appearances, with eight NCAA tournament berths and eight NIT selections. His tenure was highlighted by two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in 1997 and 2004, and the school's third Elite Eight appearance in 2004.

Martelli's coaching prowess earned him numerous accolades, including the 2004 National Coach of the year, four Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors in 1997, 2001, 2004, and 2005. He was also named USBWA District Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2004 and received Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year honors four times. Throughout his career, Martelli mentored several notable players who went on to successful professional careers, including NBA players Jameer Nelson (2004), Delonte West (2004), and DeAndre' Bembry (2016).

Martelli most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan, supporting former head coach Juwan Howard in all aspects of the program. At Michigan, Martelli served as both associate head coach and interim head coach at various times.

Phil Martelli's legacy extends beyond his impressive coaching record and accolades. His ability to connect with players, instill a winning mindset, and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball has solidified his reputation as one of the game's most respected and influential coaches. His dedication to the sport and his commitment to developing well-rounded athletes continue to inspire those within the basketball community.

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