Aussie Hoopla Nbl & Nba Podcast

Brian Wethers shares his journey from a standout NCAA career at Cal and NBA aspirations, to becoming one of the most explosive imports in Australian basketball during the mid-2000s. He breaks down the Pirates’ underdog rise in 2004 under Adrian Hurley, his dynamic partnership with Kavossy Franklin, and the unforgettable playoff push that followed. We also revisit his return to the league with New Zealand, a blistering run of form that included multiple 30-point nights before injury struck. Wethers opens up about how the game has evolved since then, what came next after his playing days, and the legacy he hopes to leave in Australian basketball circles. Topics include:

Fabijan Krslovic joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey so far, a 2024 championship run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United. Krslovic shares stories from his Boomers debut, his time as a junior alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, and how he’s consistently earned his place in the league through grit, defence, and leadership. We also dive into his college days in Montana, his first pro stint in Europe with Phoenix Hagen, and his role in building the JackJumpers’ winning culture from day one. Topics include:

Jordan Hunter joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, his time with the Boomers, and how he’s building a voice off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and comedy. Hunter opens up about navigating the ups and downs of the Phoenix’s 2024/25 campaign, how the team evolved under new leadership, and the real impact of Mike Kelly’s mid-season departure. We also explore his off-season stint in Puerto Rico, international experience with the Boomers, and his passion for storytelling—both on stage and on screen. Topics include:

Andrew Svaldenis joins the podcast to reflect on a 13-year NBL career that took him from Bankstown to Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, and Geelong—appearing in 299 games and carving out a legacy as one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt battlers across the ‘80s and ‘90s. Svaldenis opens up about debuting as a teenager under Robbie Cadee, his breakout years in Hobart under Cal Bruton, and what it was like to be part of the original Sydney Kings merger. We also dig into some of his biggest games, toughest matchups, and the evolution of the NBL through the lens of a blue-collar big man who saw it all. Topics include:

Brad Newley joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, three NBL clubs, countless international tournaments, and a stint with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. From his breakout rookie season with Townsville to Olympic campaigns with the Boomers and his late-career leadership role at Melbourne United, Newley shares the highs, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his journey. We dig into his development at the AIS, becoming the first player to ever win NBL Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man in the same season, and his MVP performance at the 2005 NBL All-Star Game. Newley also opens up about his four-year run with Gran Canaria, international battles against Team USA, and the evolution of the Sydney Kings under Andrew Gaze and Will Weaver. Topics include:

Lamar Patterson joins the podcast to talk through the highs, lows, and wild turns of a pro career that’s taken him from Pittsburgh to the NBA, NBL, China, Puerto Rico, and most recently, India. Patterson opens up about his time in India’s pro league, his rollercoaster ride with the Brisbane Bullets, and why things unravelled during his stint with the New Zealand Breakers. He also shares how close he came to signing NBL deals in each of the past two seasons, what’s kept him motivated off the radar, and why he still hopes to return to the league that made him a fan favourite.       Topics include:

Nick Horvath joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—from Duke University to NBL champion and beyond. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. He shares stories from the heated South Dragons vs. Melbourne Tigers Grand Final, overcoming serious injury setbacks, and making the transition from import to local player in the NBL. Topics include:

Newly appointed Australian Boomers head coach Adam Caporn joins the podcast to discuss his journey to the role, his coaching philosophy, and his vision for the national team’s future. Caporn opens up about what it meant to be offered the job, the lessons he’s taken from legendary coach Brian Goorjian, and the key changes he plans to implement as he leads the Boomers toward their next major tournament. He also dives into roster considerations, the role of Matisse Thybulle, and his partnership with newly appointed associate coach Dean Vickerman. Topics include:

Former NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to discuss his journey from junior basketball to professional success and now coaching. Kendall’s path saw him develop under renowned coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before heading to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings and battling injuries that ultimately forced an early retirement. Now, he’s making his mark as a coach, recently leading the Gujarat Stallions to the INBL championship and taking over as head coach at Casey for the 2025 NBL1 season. Kendall opens up about the highs and lows of his career, his relationship with Brian Goorjian and his transition into coaching. He also discusses the role Aussie Hoops in the growth of basketball in India and what excites him most about his coaching future. Topics include: His experiance coaching in India with the Gujarat Stallion

Rising star Malique Lewis joins the podcast to discuss his incredible journey from Trinidad & Tobago to professional basketball. At just 16, Lewis left home for Spain, where he developed his game with Fuenlabrada, before making the leap to the G League with Mexico City Capitanes. Now, as a Next Star with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, he’s one step closer to his NBA dream. Lewis opens up about the challenges of leaving his family behind, why he chose the NBL over the G League and Europe, and what he’s learned from playing in different basketball systems worldwide. He also shares his thoughts on NBA draft projections, the misconceptions around his game and what to expect in the NBL playoffs. Topics include: His journey from Trinidad to the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne (2:00) His thoughts on the NBL's Next Star Program (4:00) Acclimatising to Australian life and its various deadly animals (8:00) Adjusting to different coaching styles under Mike Kelly, Sam Mackinnon & Josh

Former Razorbacks coach Mark Watkins joins the podcast to reflect on the team's journey from expansion squad to Grand Final contenders before financial struggles led to their downfall. A key figure from the club’s inception in 1998, Watkins shares insights on recruiting NBL stars like Simon Dwight and John Rillie, the Razorbacks' 2002 and 2004 Grand Final runs, and the challenges of coaching on a budget. He also discusses the departures of key players, the franchise’s collapse, and the lessons he’s carried into his coaching career today. Topics include: Building the Kilsyth Basketball program and the differences between coaching men and women (2:00) The early days of the Razorbacks – How the team was built from scratch (10:30) The first NBL season and how the club improved in Year Two (17:30, 29:00) Losing and gaining Sam MacKinnon in the same season (35:00) The 2002 Grand Final run against Adelaide (43:00) Moving on from foundation stars Derek Rucker and Bruce Bolden (57:00) Ano

Former Perth Wildcats star and 2014 NBL Grand Final MVP, Jermaine Beal, joins the podcast to reflect on his basketball journey—from his standout college days at Vanderbilt, to his championship-winning years in the NBL, and beyond. We dive into his time playing alongside future NBA and NBL talent like Festus Ezeli and AJ Ogilvy, his experiences in the NBA Summer League, and his journey through professional leagues in Europe and South America before landing in Australia. Beal shares his insights on playing for the Wildcats under Trevor Gleeson, winning two NBL championships, and setting records—including becoming the first player in the NBL's 40-minute era to hit 10 three-pointers in a single game, a feat that’s since been matched by Chris Goulding, Bryce Cotton, and Dejan Vasiljevic. Beal also opens up about his short-lived stint with the Brisbane Bullets, the challenges of being released mid-season, and his final years playing in Belgium and Israel before transitioning into coaching. Topics Include: What

Former Tall Blacks head coach and New Zealand Breakers legend Paul Henare joins the podcast to reflect on his illustrious basketball journey. From being a cornerstone of the New Zealand Breakers’ early days to coaching in Japan’s rapidly growing B.League, Henare shares his unique insights into the game across multiple continents. We dive into the 2002 Tall Blacks squad that stunned the basketball world with a fourth-place finish at the FIBA World Championships, the evolution of the New Zealand Breakers from their beginnings to championship glory, and Henare's transition into coaching. Now leading the Shimane Susanoo Magic, Henare discusses the explosive growth of Japanese basketball, the challenges of coaching in a foreign league, and the exciting prospects of the upcoming Premier League competition in Japan. Topics Include: The NBL coaching contingent in Japan: Henare, Trevor Gleeson, Aaron Fearne, Shawn Dennis, Kevin Braswell, and Mody Maor (2:00) The explosive growth of Japan’s basketball scene and the up

Former Perth Wildcats and Cairns Taipans assistant Jamie O'Loughlin joins the podcast to share his insights into the NBL's elite coaching landscape. With a career spanning back-to-back NBL championships with the Wildcats and navigating the unique challenges of coaching less-resourced teams like the Taipans, O'Loughlin provides a deep dive into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of Australian basketball. Jamie reflects on the Wildcats’ championship runs, the arrival of Bryce Cotton, and how Gregg Popovich’s “pounding the rock” philosophy influenced their success. He also discusses the current trends shaping NBL coaching, the influx of foreign coaches, and whether they bring the same benefits to the league that foreign players did in the early years. Topics Include: Jamie's take on the elite coaching scene across Australia and the NBL right now (2:00) Are foreign coaches delivering the same advantages to the league as foreign players did in the early years? (6:00) Coaching trends emerging across th

Head coach of Japan's Nagoya Dolphins, Shawn Dennis, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of Japanese basketball and its strong connection with Australian players and coaches. Since its launch in 2016, the B.League has become one of the highest-paying leagues worldwide, attracting both seasoned Australian coaches and NBL talent. Dennis, going into his sixth season in Japan, joins host Dan Boyce to shed some light on how the NBL and B.League could benefit from closer collaboration, Japanese players who should be playing in the NBL and vice versa, and the rapid growth of basketball in Japan. They also discuss in depth the current NBL trend of teams overlooking many top Australian coaches in preference for foreign options and the impact that could have on the game. Topics Include: How basketball is improving in Japan and the rise of the B.League (2:00) Why numerous Australian coaches are heading to Japan instead of staying in the NBL (10:00) Whether the movement of Australian coaches to Asian basketba

New Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena joins the podcast to break down the intricate details behind purchasing an NBL team and his vision for the club's future. As a lifelong Wildcats fan and successful tech entrepreneur, Arena shares insights into the business side of sports ownership and how he plans to elevate the Wildcats' brand, both locally and internationally. In this episode, Mark discusses: What makes owning a sports team financially advantageous (2:30) The complex process of buying the Wildcats and how NBL approvals work (12:00) Why his focus is on winning championships rather than purely on financial gain (19:00) Why expanding into Asia, including partnerships with Japan’s B.League, is a priority for the Wildcats (24:00) His views on the NBLxNBA format and why he prefers hosting an international preseason tournament annually instead (26:00) How he sees a potential second NBL team in Perth impacting the Wildcats (28:00) Plans for rebranding the Wildcats (39:00) The long-term vision for the Wildcat

NBL legend Mark Dalton, who played 17 seasons across five NBL teams, joins host Dan Boyce on the podcast to review the early performances of all ten NBL teams. Together, they explore each team's potential ceiling for the season and discuss the key challenges that could prevent them from reaching their full potential. With a career that included stints with the Canberra Cannons, Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets, and Wollongong Hawks, Dalton brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. His unique perspective highlights the adjustments teams need to make and the issues they face on the court. Dalton’s analysis and reflections offer a deep dive into the current NBL season, providing fans with expert insights from one of the league’s most experienced players. Adelaide 36ers (2:00) Brisbane Bullets (15:00) Cairns Taipans (23:00) Illawarra Hawks (28:00) Melbourne United (35:00) New Zealand Breakers (43:00) Perth Wildcats (48:00) South East Melbourne Phoenix (54:00) Sydney Kings (101:00) Tasmania Jac

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian returns to the podcast to provide an inside look at how he prepared the Australian Boomers for the Paris Olympics. Despite being in a tough group with Spain, Greece, and Canada, the Boomers managed to reach the quarter-finals. However, they were knocked out after a hard-fought crossover game against Serbia, a team widely regarded as one of the top contenders in the tournament. Goorjian reflects on re-tooling the roster after the FIBA World Cup, the brutal decisions involved in player selection, and how the team is focused on building toward future Olympic success. In this episode, Brian discusses: How he views the Boomers’ sixth-place finish at the Paris Olympics (2:00) Re-tooling the roster after the FIBA World Cup (5:00) Why this year’s training camp was the most grueling in Boomers history (11:00) Addressing the rumors about Matisse Thybulle being cut for Joe Ingles (18:00) Bringing in new faces Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay (25:00) Delly’s omission from the World Cup and how h

Jeremy Loeliger served as the NBL’s CEO from 2015 to 2019 before transitioning to Commissioner from 2019 to 2024. Loeliger was instrumental in launching the NBL Next Stars program, driving the NBLxNBA preseason games, expanding the league’s reach with international tours, and building strong global partnerships. His leadership also led to groundbreaking CBA agreements with the Players’ Association and introduced new audiences to the game through NBL Oz Gaming. In this episode, Dan Boyce sits down with Jeremy to explore a decade of shaping the NBL.  Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Topics include... How Jeremy and Larry Kestelman took control of the NBL in 2015 (2:00) The first year of the ‘Kestelman Era’ and how it all began (9:00) The growth and success of the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (16:00) Early difficulties in running the NBL (19:00) How the NBL Next Stars program came to be (25:00) and its future (32:00) How close Bronny James came to playing for an

Keli Leaupepe carved his own path to the NBL after being unable to earn a scholarship to Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence. The versatile forward spent four years at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), delivering a solid performance in his junior season, where he averaged 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. As he prepares to take the court for the Sydney Kings this season, Dan Boyce caught up with him to find out what he's working on, why he chose to play for the Kings and what motivates him. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Topics include... How he’s preparing for his debut NBL season (2:00) Playing junior basketball for Australia (5:00) His experiences playing in college (10:00) How he first gained the attention of NBL coaches (13:00) Choosing between playing for the Kings or the Taipans (14:00) What Keli gets up to off the court (19:00) The art of the screen as a big man (25:00) Thoughts on being coached by Brian Goorjian (27:00) What he expec