Steve, Ralph, and Jordan break down preseason hoops, college exhibition games, and the new high school leagues.

What's better: being the 8th man on a winning team or the star on a 15-15 team? Is NIL money making players less hungry? Why do basketball parents push so hard? We talk exhibitions, Penny Hardaway and Memphis, Pitino and St. John's, Kansas adding players right before the season, Duke and Florida, Coach Cal, the freshmen to watch, and what ATLAS and EYBL mean for high school hoops.

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Jordan

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Former Rutgers captain Geo Baker joins The Basketballists to talk about his journey beyond the court. He helped end Rutgers' 30-year NCAA Tournament drought, co-led the #NotNCAAProperty movement for NIL rights, and now gives back through GB Go Beyond, his foundation for New Jersey youth, and the GB Blue Devils AAU program.

We cover AAU basketball, player development, NIL, sports media, and where the game is headed. It's an honest conversation about building opportunities, giving back, and navigating the business of basketball in a new era.

Follow @thebasketballists on Instagram, TikTok, and X. Hosts: Steven Johnston (@stevenjnodat), Jordan Pettway (@shakehoops) and Ralph Manigat (@tooreelralph).

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Ralph

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Jordan

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We're back after a short break, and this one gets real. Prep school, NIL money, and the transfer portal can reward smart planning, or punish families who trust blindly. We talk about how players get stuck in bad prep situations and when it's time to leave. We get into international kids being routed through agents into pop-up programs, the warning signs that a school isn't run like a real business, and what super academies and early paydays mean for teenagers.

Then we get into money and movement. Why adults need to set guardrails around teenage money, and the financial literacy basics every athlete needs before an NIL check hits. We look at why the men's portal feels more chaotic than the women's, weigh fit against a bigger offer in a portal hypothetical, and talk about how your reputation follows you from school to school. We close with what high school players should be locked in on this September.

Keep liking, keep subscribing, keep commenting, keep running it up. 🏀🎧

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Jordan

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Mustapha Heron pulls up for one of the deepest guest episodes we've done. He walks us through the whole journey — Waterbury to 5-star, USA Basketball, Auburn, St. John's, and overseas. Growing up under a military father built the "no days off" mentality early. From Stamford Peace to Gauchos to Rens, reclassing in 8th grade, and the prep school grind at Wilbraham & Munson — Staph breaks down what actually shaped him. He also gets real on being from CT and having to go harder than everyone else. The Gatorade POTY snub. The McDonald's All-American miss. The media agendas that decide who gets the shine (Pangos MVP — but Lonzo got the post). Plus, why watching Abdou go through the same process now hits different.

The second half goes even deeper. Breaking Auburn's freshman scoring record. The transfer to St. John's after his mom's health concerns. Playing his senior year on a broken ankle the med staff lied about. Then the pro journey — from working a liquor store post-COVID, to England, the G League, and overseas ball. Staph opens up on imposter syndrome, finding an identity outside of basketball, and the real side of being an American import. He closes with real gems for Abdou. If you're a hooper, parent, or coach — this one is essential. 🏀🎧

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Jordan

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Coach Ike and Munch from PSA sit down for one of the most honest AAU conversations we've had on the show. From the Double Clap and the real culture behind the program, to Munch's origin, PSA's college-level trip structure, and why the media game is being played the right way — this one is a masterclass in running a program with intention.

We get into being honest with players, the reality of prep schools (South Kent, Blair, and how Black kids actually get there), NIL at the HS level, the transfer portal fallout, bench guys on EYBL teams, and why most kids aren't as good as they think. Plus — Munch's answer on whether winning Peach Jam actually matters, and what the kids have taught him along the way.

If you're a coach, parent, or program director — you need this one. 🏀🎧

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Jordan

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Coach Pete pulls up on Ep. 71 for one of the deepest conversations we've had on this show. From his OSL origins and the Bobby Hurley 13-call story, to coaching Posh & Jared Rhoden, to being part of the Overtime Elite documentary — Pete breaks down what it actually takes to develop players in today's game.

We get into NIL and whether the bag at 14 is killing the hunger. The OTE experience and how Overtime disrupted the whole ecosystem. How to pour into players who might leave, navigate the "5 best players on one AAU team" problem, and balance motivation with Xs and Os. Plus — can you really play your way up? (Spoiler: yes, and Pete has the receipts.)

If you coach, train, parent, or hoop at any level, this one's essential listening. 🏀🎧

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#TheBasketballists #CoachPete #OTE #OvertimeElite #NIL #AAUbasketball #basketballpodcast #playerdevelopment

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Jordan, Steve & Ralph are back — and this one covers everything. NY vs NY, the AAU summer wrap up, EYBL signage, mid-major moves, the reclass wave, and whether the SEC is really about to break off from the NCAA. 🏀

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🎙️ In This Episode:

NY vs NY — OT kids, Lee Robinson & Javion Tyndale, and why events like this are the new stage to build a personal brand.

AAU Summer Wrap Up — Brands are getting intentional (Ja + Cam Wilder). Partnering with creators is the new play. You gotta take risks.

AAU Signs — EYBL banners are sending the wrong message. Nike involves their pros. Adidas doesn't. It matters.

Is AAU Worth It If You're Not On A Top Team? — Know where you're at. Your tape has to be your best product. And be realistic about the commitment.

College Talk — Answer the call when mid-majors ring. It might be the better business move. And coaches — let your players spread their wings.

Reclassing Up — Early commits are fading. AJ Williams and the new wave. Plus why life outside of basketball matters more than ever.

Is Talent Down? — Or is it just nostalgia? Small guards are back and hoops is trendier than ever.

SEC Breaking Off From The NCAA? — Follow the money. What rule changes could come with it.

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What's up everyone! It's been a busy summer. Jordan, Steve and Ralph connected in Las Vegas and were lucky enough to record at the EYBL studio during Session 4. 🏀

This isn't our normal long episode breaking down current events — but we hit some real ones: what we've been seeing on the circuit, thoughts on reclassification up, what it actually takes to make EYBL, and some of the key traits every player needs to compete at a high level.
Tap in. 🎧

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🎙️ In this episode:
▪️ What we've seen on the AAU circuit this summer
▪️ Reclassification up — is it worth it?
▪️ What it really takes to make Nike EYBL
▪️ The key traits every high-level player needs
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🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week
👍 Like the video if you're locked in
💬 Drop your take in the comments — we read them all
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🎧 Listen on:
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#TheBasketballists #EYBL #NikeEYBL #AAUbasketball #basketballpodcast #basketballrecruiting #reclassification #Vegas #Session4 #hoops

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Steve

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Ralph

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Jordan

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