The Basketball Podcast

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Vietnam Men’s National Team head coach Matt Van Pelt joins the Basketball Podcast to share his defensive shift from packline to forcing left.Matt Van Pelt is currently the Head Coach of the Vietnam Men’s National Team, as well as the Hanoi Buffaloes, the reigning champions of the Vietnam Basketball Association. He now has basketball experience in 28 countries, having ran camps and clinics all over the world, and is also the owner of Van Pelt Sports Management and the co-owner of Pro Coaches Academy and The Performance Lab, in addition to being a FIBA Certified Head Coach in Vietnam.Matt has been in Vietnam on and off since 2017, where he is the winningest coach in the nation’s history with a record of 81 wins and 16 losses between 2 leagues and with 2 organizations. Matt won 3 straight VBA championships & 3 straight Supporter’s Cup Championships with the Saigon Heat, the country’s oldest professional team. Matt also led the Saigon Heat to the 1-seed and a finals appearance in the Asean Basketball League, which formerly hosted 10 teams from 9 countries in Asia, for the first time in the organization’s history in 2023.In addition to 5v5 ventures, Matt was also the Head Coach of the Vietnam 3x3 Men’s National Team from 2022-24, where he won a VBA 3x3 championship, a silver medal in the 2022 Southeast Asian games, and pushed Vietnam to its best ever finish in the 2025 FIBA Asia.Matt is a former professional basketball player overseas, where he played as a point guard in 13 countries in 7 years. Before going overseas, Matt was a 4-year starter as a player at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, where he also won the nation’s Pete Maravich Award.

Coleman Ayers, founder of By Any Means Basketball and co-founder of ADAPT Academy, shares his innovative approach to player development by merging movement science and psychology. He discusses the importance of blending creativity with scientific training methods. Coleman emphasizes the role of adaptability over repeatability for player success and advocates for representative practice to enhance learning. He also highlights the value of honest communication with athletes and the need for tailored training strategies to suit individual player needs.

Burton Uwarow, a seasoned basketball coach and athletic director, shares his journey from Bob Jones University to West Florida Baptist Academy. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and the relationships he's built with former players. Uwarow delves into practical coaching strategies like prioritizing special situations and scripting early-game plays. He emphasizes the need for discipline and strong communication with parents while advising on how to build a recognizable program. His insights offer valuable lessons for both aspiring coaches and players.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Grace College head coach Dan Davis joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their NCAA single game scoring record.Dan Davis is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Grace College, where he has established one of the most successful eras in program history. His coaching career spans over 200 total wins and includes both NCAA and NAIA coaching experience.Davis's teams are known for a high-octane style of play, achieving national statistical ranks in scoring offense and turnover margin. His aggressive approach led to the Grace College women's basketball team setting a collegiate scoring record in a 172–91 victory over Ohio Christian, which stands as the most points ever recorded in a single game by any collegiate women's team across NAIA, NCAA Division I, II, or III.During his tenure at Grace, Davis led the Lancers to the 2024 NCCAA National Championship, securing the program's first-ever national title, and was consequently named the 2024 NCCAA National Coach of the Year. The 2022–2023 season marked a significant breakthrough, as Davis guided the team to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time and set new program records for total wins (24), conference wins (13), and the longest winning streak (7). His commitment to player development is evidenced by coaching both the former and current all-time leading scorers in Grace College program history (Vironnica Drake and Maddie Ryman).Prior to Grace, Davis coached for 10 years at Auburn University-Montgomery (AUM). At AUM, he compiled a record of 157–139, led the Warhawks to two appearances in the NAIA Division I National Tournament, and was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Fairport High School and USA Basketball head coach Scott Fitch joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on developing connected competitive teams.Scott Fitch is one of the most accomplished and trusted coaches in the USA Basketball pipeline, with more than two decades of sustained success at the national, grassroots, and high school levels. In January 2025, Fitch was named Head Coach of the 2025 USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team, a role in which he led the program to a 6–0 record and the gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup. He was also selected as a court coach for the 2025 USA Men’s Junior National Team April minicamp in San Antonio, continuing his long-standing involvement with USA Basketball’s elite development pathway. These appointments represent the latest in 20-plus coaching assignments with USA Basketball,Scott Fitch has also been the head boys basketball coach at Fairport High School in New York since 2001. Fitch has been honored five times as the Monroe County Coach of the Year, twice as the Section V Coach of the Year and twice All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year. He led his team to back-to-back Section V Championships in 2006 and 2007 and to the state final four in 2007. In 2016-17, Fitch led Fairport to a 22-2 record, a section title and the state championship game.Fitch has played a central role across multiple Junior National Team minicamps, including April and October 2024, and has contributed at nearly every level of the USA Basketball youth system. His previous national team experience includes serving as a court coach for the 2022 USA Men’s U17 National Team, an assistant coach for the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit Team, and head coach of the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit Team, which earned a victory under his leadership. Earlier in his USA Basketball career, Fitch served as a court coach at the 2021 USA Men’s U16 National Team training camp, as well as an assistant coach for the 2018 USA Men’s U17 National Team and the 2017 USA Men’s U16 National Team, further establishing his continuity and impact within the program.

Zach Chu, the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball and a former NBA strategist, shares his analytical approach to winning. He emphasizes developing basketball IQ and leveraging matchups for game advantages. Chu discusses using specific metrics, like potential assists, and highlights the importance of shot selection for offensive efficiency. He also reveals insights on navigating the NIL landscape, coaching structure for various skill levels, and preparing teams through detailed practices and player meetings. His innovative mindset is reshaping the game!

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Frank Bennett joins The Basketball Podcast to share insights on inbound philosophy and high school coaching.Frank Bennett has established himself as one of Missouri’s premier high school basketball coaches, leading Chaminade College Preparatory to sustained excellence in the state’s top class. Since taking over the program in 2013, Bennett has guided the Red Devils to a Missouri State Championship, two state runner‑up finishes, eight Final Four appearances, multiple Metro Catholic Conference titles, and several district championships.His leadership has produced a remarkable career record of 248 wins against just 72 losses, cementing Chaminade’s reputation as one of the most consistent programs in the regionBennett has coached and developed some of the most significant basketball talents to come out of Missouri, including:• Jayson Tatum — NBA All‑Star and 2024 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics• Bradley Beal — Three‑time NBA All‑Star and Olympic gold medalist• Tyler Cook — Former NBA forward and standout at Iowa• David Lee — NBA All‑Star and two‑time NBA championBennett’s impact extends beyond Chaminade. He has served as a head coach for USA Basketball at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit, leading the USA Men’s team against the World Team of top international players. He has also been an assistant coach at previous Nike Hoop Summits (2023, 2024) and contributed to USA Basketball Junior National Team camps. His involvement underscores his reputation as one of the nation’s most respected high school coaches.

In this conversation, Adam Pike, an NBA film analyst specializing in the Memphis Grizzlies, delves into the innovative Noah LaRoche offense. He breaks down core concepts like spacing and the critical pass-cut-and-fill trigger. Adam contrasts NBA and Division III movement, highlighting the impact on player roles. The discussion includes Miami's adaptation of the offense, player empowerment, and the five-out principles. With insights into coaching strategies and player development, Adam sheds light on how these modern tactics enhance basketball flow.

Gerard Hillier, a progressive coach educator at Knox Basketball in Melbourne, dives into modern player-centered coaching. He shares insights on the 'season of proof,' where filming and analytics reveal coaching effectiveness. Hillier emphasizes ecological dynamics, allowing players to learn through self-discovery and game-like tasks. He discusses tracking decision-making metrics and using constraints to teach defense. With a fresh approach to coaching, he highlights the importance of player interviews for understanding and confidence, and the value of live coaching observation.

In this milestone reflection, Chris Oliver shares insights from 400 episodes, emphasizing the importance of making practice representative of the game. He discusses impactful quotes from diverse guests, the value of player ownership, and innovative coaching methods like game-based practices. Key topics include integrating mental training, the significance of accountability, and embracing freedom in player development. The conversation highlights the global coaching community's growth and collaboration, celebrating the podcast's lasting legacy in basketball education.