Sporting Max

Sporting Max

Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

  1. 14h ago

    Angus Glover: Three ACLs, Two Championships & the Comeback | #265

    In episode 265, Max chats with South East Melbourne Phoenix star Angus Glover! From three ACL reconstructions and being told to retire from basketball to becoming a two-time NBL champion and representing the Australian Boomers, Angus reflects on the incredible highs and lows that have shaped his career. We dive into tearing his ACL at the Nike Hoop Summit, being surrounded by future NBA stars including RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his dad donating his hamstring for his third ACL reconstruction, the emotional journey back to basketball, and what it meant to finally pull on the green and gold. Angus also takes us behind the scenes of the Sydney Kings’ back-to-back championships, Chase Buford’s impact on the group, the pressure of Game 5 in front of 18,000 fans, his famous off-the-backboard dunk, playing alongside LaMelo Ball, and the difficult final season in Sydney that ultimately led him to South East Melbourne. Plus, we discuss the Phoenix’s championship ambitions heading into NBL27, Josh King’s impact, embracing the Sixth Man role, the infamous halftime spray that sparked a huge comeback, and what South East Melbourne needs to take the next step after consecutive semi-final appearances. A fascinating conversation on resilience, championship success, overcoming adversity, confidence, team culture, and making the most of every opportunity. All this and much more in episode 265 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  2. Jul 15

    Joel Khalu: Inside the Illawarra Hawks' Championship Culture | #260

    In episode 260, Max chats with Illawarra Hawks Assistant Coach Joel Khalu! From growing up in Cairns and discovering basketball as a teenager, to playing college basketball in the United States, leading programmes across Australia and Papua New Guinea, and helping guide the Illawarra Hawks to an NBL championship, Joel's journey is a remarkable story of persistence, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to developing people through basketball. Joel takes us inside the Hawks' championship-winning culture, reflecting on the challenges of defending a title, integrating JaVale McGee into the roster, the leadership of Tyler Harvey, and the standards that helped build one of the NBL's best teams. We also dive into his coaching philosophy, the influence of mentors including Justin Tatum, why authenticity has become the foundation of his leadership style, and the lessons he's taken from coaching at every level of the game. Plus, Joel shares fascinating stories from his time leading the Papua New Guinea national team, founding the Hoop Dreaming Project, working throughout Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, and how basketball has become a vehicle for creating opportunities and changing lives. A fascinating conversation on leadership, high performance, player development, culture, resilience, and building winning basketball programmes. All this and much more in episode 260 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  3. Jul 10

    Lisa Willis: From the WNBA & Team USA to Coaching the New York Knicks | #259

    In episode 259, Max chats with former WNBA star, Team USA gold medallist, UCLA legend, and former New York Knicks assistant coach Lisa Willis! From dominating high school basketball in California to becoming one of the greatest defenders in UCLA history, being selected fifth overall in the WNBA Draft, and representing Team USA on the international stage, Lisa's journey is one of relentless self-improvement, resilience, and an obsession with mastering her craft. Lisa takes us inside the mindset that drove her career, including the lessons her father instilled from a young age, developing an elite basketball IQ, competing against some of the best players in the world, and why she always believed the game was won by understanding the "game within the game." We also dive into her experiences at UCLA, winning a Pac-10 Championship, representing Team USA, hearing her name called on WNBA Draft night, adjusting to life in the WNBA, leading the league in three-point shooting, and the realities of competing professionally across the United States, Russia, and Greece. Lisa also shares fascinating insights into becoming the first woman to coach in the New York Knicks organisation, earning the respect of NBA players, transitioning out of professional sport, and the identity challenges many athletes face once their playing careers come to an end. Plus, we discuss resilience, leadership, confidence under pressure, developing elite performers, and the principles behind her SPORT Method, which she now uses to help Fortune 500 executives, CEOs, and elite athletes recover from setbacks and perform at their best. A fascinating conversation on leadership, resilience, high performance, mindset, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level. All this and much more in episode 259 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

About

Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

You Might Also Like