The Player's Podcast

Matt Espinoza
  • 5.0 (25)
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Player's Podcast gives current and former players and coaches the chance to give advice to young basketball players on leadership, character development, and maximizing your potential as a basketball player.

  1. 12/01/2025

    Episode 46: Q&A #1 WITH WILLIE FREEMAN

    Coach Freeman joins me to answer some of your questions about the game. If you have questions that you want answered send one in at salemhoopsproject@gmail.com 00:48 How do you balance team expectations with personal goals during the season? 10:57 What’s something you wish you had learned earlier about taking care of your body, physically or mentally? 23:53 As a parent, how do you encourage your child during a tough season? 32:30 What was the moment you realized your basketball career was over and how did you process it? 38:17 What do you wish (as a coach) that players understood about coaches decisions? 45:40 Discussing the NBA season

    50 min

  2. 08/06/2025

    Episode 45: NELSON LOMAX - - Building life long relationships through the game

    Nelson Lomax played at Chemeketa CC and Willamette University in the early 90’s. Coming from New Orleans, LA, he made Salem his home and has become a fixture in the Salem basketball community. He shares stories and lessons from his lifetime as a player, coach and parent. 00:19 Growing up in New Orleans, LA and making his way to Salem 06:34 Getting into basketball as a child 07:38 Switching high schools as a sophomore 10:41 Finding his way to Chemeketa Community College 17:12 Playing in the parks during the summers in New Orleans 21:37 Learning from Coach Rob Chavez at Chemeketa as a freshman 30:32 Working at Willamette’s basketball camp his first week in Salem 33:55 Moving on to play at Willamette with Coach Gordie James 38:00 Coaching at Willamette alongside his former coaches 46:50 Moving from assisting his former coach to assisting his former player 52:28 Developing life-long relationships through the game 55:16 Reliving the glory days of Willlamette Pro Hoop camp 1:02:50 The evolution of the Salem basketball community since he came here in 1990 1:17:02 The top 5 players he’s seen in Salem 1:29:15 The only coach to ever use a clip board as a dinner plate

    1h 23m

  3. 08/06/2025

    Episode 44: BJ DOBRKOVSKY - - Coaching with purpose and passion

    “The Dobber“ talks through his career as a high school basketball coach at Sprague HS and, most recently, at Cascade HS. Now a father or athletes, he also shared some valuable insight on being a parent while also being a coach at heart. 00:54 Transitioning from coaching 6A basketball to 4A basketball 02:20 State tournament experience at a high school campus 07:12 Growing up in Lebanon, OR and competing against the Salem schools 11:31 Moving on to Willamette University and playing for Coach Gordie James 19:00 Playing against an elite 8 Oregon Ducks team at Mac Court 21:20 The legendary Wally Wing and his coaching presence 24:15 Joining the Willamette Coaching staff as a grad student and then transition to the Sprague HS coaching staff 29:45 The changing of the game from 2005 until now 34:30 Looking back on his Sprague groups 39:39 Being a parent while also having a coaching mindset 46:33 The importance of good coaching at the younger ages leading up to becoming great teammates 49:09 The changing of the CVC through the decades 55:00 Listing off some of the greats from Salem in his time as a player and coach

    1h 4m

  4. 06/24/2025

    Episode 43: WILLIE FREEMAN - - Experiencing the game at all levels

    Willie Freeman coached North Salem High School to two league titles. Through a huge life lesson, he had to find his next steps in his basketball journey. Listen in as Willie talks about his international playing career and all the way to coaching the NBA G league and drops some valuable advice to young players. 00:25 making his way from Atlanta to Salem 02:36 The life of a traveling international pro 10:42 Getting a late start in basketball 16:00 Comparing high school basketball in the east coast to the west coast 18:58 The quality of today’s off-season basketball 25:33 JUCO world 33:17 Getting hired at North Salem HS 36:47 Learning on the fly in his first head coaching job 38:55 Avry Holmes taking his game to the next level as a junior under Coach Freeman 45:00 The mistake that changed his life 56:30 Coaching in the NBA G league 1:07:16 Advice to young players for this off season 1:11:13 The best Willie has seen in his limited time in Salem

    1h 16m

  5. 06/12/2025

    Episode 42: JADEN NIELSON-SKINNER - -The journey of a city legend

    Skinny talks about growing up at The Hoop and putting in a lifetime of work to become the player he was. He holds many records at South Salem HS and went on to become the all-time assists leader at St. Martin's University. 00:20 His place in the list of Salem point guards 02:15 Being around the game at a young age 04:55 Learning from his dad 06:01 Players he came up with 07:53 Getting to South Salem HS and starting as a Freshman 10:53 Developing his Point Guard IQ 14:52 Becoming a leader and leading by giving his teammates confidence 23:13 Growing as a player from his freshman to senior year 25:27 How should a player be spending their offseason 28:00 Getting to Portland State out of high school and transferring to St. Martin’s 35:00 building relationships through the game 39:00 Memorable games throughout his career 46:45 Lessons learned through the game 55:22 looking back on missing out on playing other sports 1:00:22 Skinny’s all-time Salem starting 5

    1h 11m

  6. 05/15/2025

    Episode 41: KIP IOANE - - Leading the South Salem Saxons

    Kip Ioane just finished his first season as the leader of the South Salem boy's basketball program. We talk through his time at Willamette University and how he is creating a new culture at South Salem. We also discuss our run together at Willamette Pro Hoop camp and learning from legendary coach Gordie James. 00:25 Making the transition from college to high school basketball 05:55 Exectations of student athletes at the high school level vs college level 09:38 The current state of AAU, training and off-season development 12:32 Building skills and transferring them to life 14:45 IQ versus skill for today’s generation 25:30 Growing up in Billings, MT 27:50 Coming to Willamette University from Billings 30:29 Playing and learning from Gordie James 35:25 Adjusting to becoming a head coach 38:30 The D3 struggle of not being able to offer athletic scholarships 44:18 Remembering the glory days of Pro Classic Hoop Camp 51:23 Being in charge of an overnight camp 54:00 The evolution and future of Teams of Men 1:01:20 Listing off some of Salem’s best players in his time here 1:06:15 The best of our Pro Hoop Camp debates 1:10:38 Coach Ioane’s favorite story from Coach Gordie James

    1h 14m

  7. 05/09/2025

    Episode 40: JORGE GARIBAY - - His journey as an athlete at McKay

    Jorge Garibay graduated from McKay HS in 2014 and was part of group that competed for a league title while he was there. It took a lot of time in the gym to get there, and his leadership was a big reason for that. Jorge looks back at the process to getting there and what it meant for him to make McKay basketball competitive. 00:42 Developing his competitive drive 02:20 Learning to compete at the varsity level as a sophomore 06:23 Gaining confidence and feeling like he belonged on the court 07:30 Getting involved in sports as a kid 10:00 Gaining motivation by watching McKay HS games during the Martino-era 14:15 Developing his work ethic 16:09 Learning from and through his family history 18:30 Learning the blocker-mover system into his junior year 26:46 Off season workouts at McKay 29:00 Stepping up junior year and being a competitive program as juniors and seniors 46:00 Lessons learned through sports and hard work 49:48 Being able to play for Coach Sanderson and live up to his expectations

    57 min

  8. 04/10/2025

    Episode 39: CRUZ VELIZ - - Reflecting on a legendary high school career

    Cruz Veliz just wrapped up his career at Woodburn High School with a 2nd team all state earning. We talk through his upbringing with 2 older brothers and learning how to compete. Big brother RJ joins us as well to provide some context to what's help Cruz succeed, and we also hear about their new venture V3 Athletics which is set to impact the Woodburn community in a big way. 01:04 Being ready for big plays in big moments 02:24 Developing his passion to put in the work 04:35 Being the youngest in a family of athletes 11:35 Playing for his dad at Woodburn HS 12:44 learning to become a great high school player 15:48 Veliz bros 1 on 1 battles as kids 17:40 Developing into a leader at Woodburn HS 19:55 Looking ahead to college basketball 21:45 V3 Athletics is coming to impact the Woodburn community 27:52 Cruz’s starting 5 of opponents he’s played against 32:50 Getting prepared for the next level

    36 min
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5
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The Player's Podcast gives current and former players and coaches the chance to give advice to young basketball players on leadership, character development, and maximizing your potential as a basketball player.

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