Making the Team

Erik Soderborg
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Basketball
  • Updated Semiweekly

Conversations for high school basketball players and parents around the realities of what it takes to make a varsity basketball team. We interview coaches, players, and referees to give you an inside look behind the curtains of high school basketball.

  1. 20h ago

    5 Final Fours, 3 Title Games: Coach Donny Daniels' Incredible Basketball Journey

    Coach Donny Daniels has seen college basketball from the very top. Five Final Fours. Three national championship game appearances. Eleven seasons on Rick Majerus' staff at Utah, seven at UCLA under Ben Howland, and nine at Gonzaga with Mark Few. He recruited Keith Van Horn and Andre Miller to Salt Lake City and coached future NBA stars like Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Jrue Holiday in Westwood. Today, you'll find him on the bench at Cottonwood High School. Erik and co-host Coach Doug Meacham sit down with Coach Daniels to talk about a career that spans four decades, what he learned from three very different Hall of Fame-caliber head coaches, and the advice he'd give to players chasing the next level, parents trying to support them, and coaches trying to build something real. 📺 Subscribe for more Utah basketball interviews: @MakingTheTeamPodcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:50 Aha Moment to Start Coaching 2:56 Starting at the University of Utah 5:01 Role at Utah 6:06 The Grey Squad 10:14 Juddy Question 1 12:07 Mike Doleac 14:06 Off Court Team Buidling 16:30 Juddy Question 2 17:25 Being a Great Assistant 23:08 Balancing Truth with Feelings 25:12 Teaching Shot Selection 27:56 Learning from other Coaches 31:03 Majerus Coaching Tree 34:01 Coaching in today's game 36:13 Picking a Skills Trainer 41:30 Common Threads of Great Teams 43:16 Coaches Adapting to Today's Challenges 44:40 Mental Health 51:18 Making the Right Play 57:30 Parents & Recruiting 58:35 Always Learning 1:01:46 Learning from Mistakes 1:03:42 Moving to High School 1:06:15 Andre Miller Recruiting Story 1:11:36 Donny's Passions outside basketball 1:12:53 Eric Daniels Carrying the Coaching Torch 1:19:22 Advice to Past Self #UtahBasketball #DonnyDaniels #RunninUtes #Gonzaga #UCLABasketball #RickMajerus #UtahHighSchoolBasketball #BasketballPodcast #CollegeBasketball #MakingTheTeamPodcast #CottonwoodHigh #BasketballCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #HoopsInterview

  2. Aug 9

    What It REALLY Takes to Play Professional Basketball | Zac Seljaas

    What does it really take to go from high school basketball to playing professionally? In this episode of Making the Team, I sit down with professional basketball player Zac Seljaas to talk about his journey from Bountiful High School in Utah to BYU and ultimately professional basketball in Europe. Zac was part of an incredible run at Bountiful, winning two state championships and playing alongside future NBA player Sam Merrill. He went on to play Division I basketball at BYU before continuing his career professionally overseas. But this conversation is about much more than where Zac has played. We talk about the lessons he learned at each stage of his basketball career, the work required to reach the next level, dealing with challenges and adversity, and what young players can learn from his experiences. If you're a high school basketball player hoping to play in college, a parent helping your athlete navigate the process, or a coach looking for lessons to share with your team, there is a lot to take away from Zac's story. 🔗 Seljaas Hoops Website: https://www.seljaashoops.com/ 🔗 Follow Zac's Journey Here: https://www.instagram.com/zseljaas/ Some Zac Stats: • 1,704 career points at Bountiful, plus 494 rebounds and 217 threes • The 2014 4A title was Bountiful's first since 1997 • 4A MVP, first-team all-state; Utah Player of the Year in 2015 • BYU Career: 134 games, 39.5% from three, 8th most 3-pointers in program history Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:21 Seljaas Hoops 3:10 High School Buzzer Beater History 7:07 Bountiful High Lessons 9:50 Having Dad as Coach 13:01 Coach Maxwell Style 16:30 Dealing with Being "The Guy" 18:48 High School Workouts Habits 21:51 Advice to High School Self 22:41 Getting Recruited to College 26:52 Major Changes During College 28:39 Going from Good to Great 31:49 Mission and Getting Back 35:23 College Workout Habits 43:51 "Bag Work" 49:24 Advice to College Self 50:31 College to the Pros 57:27 Overseas vs US Basketball 1:04:29 European Basketball Organization 1:15:11 Playing for Napoli 1:18:48 Different Cultures & Languages 1:21:14 Quote Reaction 1:25:28 Favorite Shoes 1:27:43 Family Dynamic 1:30:31 The Goal 1:32:32 Advice to Early Pro Self 1:33:36 Stying Sharp in the Offseason 1:36:07 Has it all been worth it? #Basketball #ZacSeljaas #BYUBasketball #UtahBasketball #HighSchoolBasketball

  3. Jul 23

    Beckam Rees Interview | His Riverton High Basketball Legacy

    What does it take to succeed as a high school basketball player? In this episode of Making the Team, we sit down with Beckam Rees - standout guard for the Riverton Silverwolves. We talk about his basketball journey, Riverton legacy, and what it takes to compete at a high level. Beckam shares insights into the work behind the scenes — the training, mindset, discipline, and sacrifices required to succeed in competitive high school basketball. If you’re a basketball player, coach, or parent of a young athlete, this interview provides valuable insight into how players develop and what separates good players from great ones. Subscribe for more interviews with players, coaches, and experts about what it really takes to succeed in basketball. #basketball #makingtheteam #beckamrees #rivertonbasketball

  4. Jul 2

    The #1 Recruit Who Chose Duke Over BYU — Now He Coaches for the Cougars

    Chris Burgess knows what it feels like to have the entire basketball world watching. Coming out of Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California as the nation's #1 recruit and a McDonald's All-American, Burgess had his pick of programs — and chose Duke University over BYU, playing for Coach Mike Krzyzewski and reaching the national championship game in 1999. He later transferred to the University of Utah, where he played under legendary coach Rick Majerus before a decade-long professional career that took him around the globe. Now back home as an assistant coach at BYU under Kevin Young, Burgess shares the full story — the pressure, the lessons, and what he brings to the next generation of players. 🎙 In this episode, Coach Burgess and Erik cover: 🏆 What it's like being labeled the #1 recruit in the country and the pressure that comes with it 🔵 Playing for Coach K at Duke and competing in the 1999 national championship game 🏔️ Transferring to Utah and learning under Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus 🌍 A decade of professional basketball across the U.S., Australia, Korea, Europe, and more 📋 What he looks for when recruiting players to BYU today 🧠 Advice for players, parents, and coaches navigating the recruiting process 🐾 Building the Cougars program in the Big 12 under coach Kevin Young Be sure to follow Coach Burgess:https://www.instagram.com/cburgess34/ Also follow BYU Men's Basketball: https://byucougars.com/sport/m-basketball Please consider following us on social: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/ https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:33 Realities of Being the #1 Prospect 5:45 Getting Recruited 9:44 Playing Well In Front of Coaches 15:28 Transition from High School to College 20:39 Making the Commitment to Duke 29:17 Letting Down 9 Million Mormons 3:04 What Players Can Do Now to Be Ready for College 35:58 Replicating Game Speed in Practice 39:45 Transferring Schools (Then and Now) 48:56 Coach K vs Coach Majerus 56:56 Player Development 1:01:28 Recruiting Now 1:03:58 Choosing Who To Recruit 1:06:26 Getting Recruits with Honesty 1:12:15 Feel vs Teach vs Enforce 1:16:40 Team Leaders and Personalities 1:19:55 Change in What Matters 1:25:04 Coaching Shot Selection 1:28:16 HS vs Portal vs International Players & Recruiting 1:33:00 What Players and Parents are Missing 1:42:23 Advice to Younger Self #BYUBasketball #ChrisBurgess #BasketballRecruiting #MakingTheTeam

  5. Jun 25

    Real Talk with Orem's New Head Coach DJ Conner | Basketball, Life & Lessons

    DJ Conner grew up playing basketball at Orem High School — and now he's back, this time as the head coach of the Golden Tigers. After spending two years as the head coach at Mountain View High School, Coach Conner has returned to his alma mater to build something special in Orem. In this conversation, he shares his full journey: what it was like playing for Orem, the lessons he's carried with him, and what it means to now lead the program he once played for. Whether you're a player trying to level up, a parent navigating youth sports, or a coach looking for perspective — this one is for you. 🎙 Coach DJ Conner covers: His personal story of playing at Orem High SchoolThe transition from player to coach Lessons learned from his time at Mountain View Advice for players, parents, and coaches at every level What he's building at Orem and his vision for the program Please consider following Coach Conner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djconner/ Please consider following us on social: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/ https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team #basketball #OremHighSchool #UtahBasketball #CoachDJConner #GoldenTigers #HighSchoolBasketball #MakingTheTeam

  6. May 26

    "We Want Utah Kids." Coach Casey Stanley's Vision for Westminster Griffins Basketball

    Coach Casey Stanley sits down for an in-depth interview about his journey to becoming the new head men's basketball coach at Westminster University in Salt Lake City. With 18 years of collegiate coaching experience — including 15 seasons at the NCAA Division I level — Stanley has worked alongside some of the biggest names in basketball, including Rick Pitino at Louisville and Richard Pitino at Minnesota. Along the way, he helped develop seven NBA players and 31 international professionals. Now leading the Westminster Griffins in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) at the Division II level, Coach Stanley shares his defensive philosophy, his commitment to recruiting local Utah talent, and what it means to take on his first collegiate head coaching role. Before arriving at Westminster, Stanley built Layton Christian Academy into a nationally ranked Top 50 prep program, compiling a 66-20 record and winning a state title. In this interview, we cover: 🏀 His coaching journey from Iona College to D1 staffs across the country 🏀 What he learned working under Rick Pitino and other elite coaches 🏀 Why he's prioritizing Utah recruits and local talent 🏀 His defensive identity and how he plans to build the Griffins program 🏀 The transition from prep coaching to his first college head coaching job 🔔 Subscribe for more Utah basketball interviews and high school hoops coverage! 📱 FOLLOW US https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/ https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team 📌 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 New Program 0:27 Difference between High School & College 2:08 Why Focus on Utah Recruiting? 3:10 Coaching Tree 4:19 Non Negotiables to a Winning Culture 5:30 Recruiting High School Players 10:20 What it Takes to Win 13:00 Building a Culture 14:58 Where to Start 16:48 Scouting 18:17 Shot Selection 19:45 Use of Analytics 23:37 Rules of D2 vs D1 24:57 Picking a Staff 26:21 Biggest Surprises for High Schoolers 27:44 What Players Need to Play Immediately 29:44 National Attention 30:50 Turning Around the Program 33:50 Life Outside Basketball 36:03 Still Learning 37:44 Useful Equipment 38:28 Separating Self Worth From Record 39:40 Advice to Coaches 40:38 Advice to Younger Self #WestminsterGriffins #CaseyStanley #UtahBasketball #WestminsterUniversity #RMAC #CollegeBasketball #CoachInterview #HighSchoolBasketball #Utah

  7. May 13

    Utah's Head Coach Alex Jensen on Recruiting, Culture & Restoring Runnin' Utes Basketball

    Alex Jensen sits down to talk about his journey from Viewmont High School standout and Utah's Mr. Basketball to the 17th head coach of the University of Utah Runnin' Utes men's basketball program. Coach Jensen opens up about getting recruited by the legendary Rick Majerus, starring on Utah's 1998 Final Four team, winning the first-ever Mountain West Conference Player of the Year award, and playing professionally overseas. He also shares what he looks for in recruits now that he's back on the other side of the table, the coaching philosophies shaped by nearly two decades in the NBA — including 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz and two with the Dallas Mavericks — and why this upcoming season at Utah has him more excited than ever. Whether you're a Utes fan, a Big 12 basketball follower, or a hoops junkie who loves a great homecoming story, this one is for you. RELATED VIDEO: Coach Judkins Interview: https://youtu.be/L-UV2WCvwS8 🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews with top basketball coaches and players. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 Our First Meeting 0:30 Alex Jensen Moments 1:34 Elite Defender 3:27 Most Difficult to Guard 4:41 Andre Miller 5:10 Getting Recruited to the U 7:20 Role of Assistants during Majerus 8:19 Coach Judkins Memories 9:55 Why Majerus Yelled at Alex 10:37 What the U offers Recruits now 12:07 Picking Coach Jensen's Staff 12:58 Recruiting HS vs Portal vs Europe 14:26 What Really Matters to a College Coach 15:40 Biggest Jump From HS to College 17:20 NBA Experience 19:27 Best Way to Practice 21:22 Feel vs Teach vs Enforce 23:29 Utah "Style" 25:04 Size of Recruiting Pool 26:34 Parent Involvement vs Agents 27:18 Relationship with AAU Ball 27:53 Looking Forward to This Season 28:43 Making Practice Plans 30:05 College Basketball Schedule 31:13 Two Halves in College. Why? 31:40 Last Season Pros and Cons 32:42 Has it all been worth it? 34:12 Staying Present 📲 Follow us here on YouTube as well as: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team

  8. Apr 19

    From 2 Wins to Mr. Basketball - How Tre Smith Rebuilt Cyprus High Hoops

    Cyprus High School head basketball coach Tre Smith sits down to talk about his 12-year journey rebuilding the Pirates basketball program from the ground up. A former Cyprus star and University of Utah basketball player, Coach Smith returned to West Valley to transform a program that had won just 2 games the season before he took over. In this interview, we dive into his coaching philosophy, how he builds confidence in young players, the culture shift that turned Cyprus into a competitive program, and what it takes to develop talent at the high school level. Coach Smith also shares stories about his players, what drives his approach to the game, and why coaching at his alma mater means everything to him. 🏀 Topics covered: 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Dress Standards 01:03 Basketball Character 2:50 Building a Program 4:31 You Can Beat Anybody 6:07 Turning Point in Career 7:38 Mr Basketball - Q Meza 9:37 New Cyprus/Old Cyprus 10:32 Coaching Style 12:26 Playing Influence on Coaching Style 13:15 Offense/Defense Philosophies 15:40 Coaching Staff Ideas 19:00 Tryout Expectations 20:30 Practices 21:02 Details Matter 23:56 Picking Captains 25:06 Play Sets 28:13 Scouting Opponents 30:35 Coachisms 31:19 "Try Hards" 35:47 Youth Programs 37:05 Keeping Players at Cyprus 38:32 Parents 41:29 Fundraising Efforts 42:55 Spousal Support 46:22 Relationship with Officials 47:24 Game Day Traditions 48:36 Rivalries 49:38 Team Dress Rules 51:08 Bigger than Basketball 52:54 Questions From The Internet 56:01 Advice for Younger Self 57:43 Self Worth vs Team Record 59:04 Hate Losing 1:00:09 Coach's Impact on Game 1:01:50 Parting Message 📌 Follow Cyprus Basketball: https://www.instagram.com/cyprus_hoops/ 📌 Follow Coach Tre Here: https://www.instagram.com/3tre_dayyy3/ If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and leave a comment — it helps us reach more basketball coaches and fans! #CyprusBasketball #TreSmith #HighSchoolBasketball #UtahBasketball #CoachInterview #BasketballCoaching #CyprusPirates

See All (48)

Ratings & Reviews

About

Conversations for high school basketball players and parents around the realities of what it takes to make a varsity basketball team. We interview coaches, players, and referees to give you an inside look behind the curtains of high school basketball.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Soderborg
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Erik Soderborg
  • Show Website
    Making the Team

You Might Also Like