Hoop Tales Podcast: Recent Episodes
GTM Family Productions
Four-Time EuroLeague Champion Kyle Hines, Former Professional Player Tyler Hines, and GTM Productions Co-Founder Mike Martin sit down with hoopers from around the world. Tune in to hear stories that have never been heard before and learn what it takes to become a professional basketball player all over the world.
Bryant Dunston grew up in Queens, New York and was a standout at Fordham University. He began his professional career in Korea in 2009, and left his mark by becoming a 2x defensive player of the year. Following his stint there he began his career in Europe and has played in Israel, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Bryant is a Greek League Champion, Turkish League champion, and a 2x EuroLeague defensive player of the year. He also holds the record for most blocks in EuroLeague history!
Corey grew up in New York City and didn't have a traditional route to basketball success. He was a late bloomer who went to Junior College and received a scholarship to play his last two years at Alabama State. His dream was to go pro but he didn't have the college resume to warrant a shot, so he took matters into his own hands. Corey went back to New York City and became a streetball legend. His success in the parks led to NBA opportunities and a successful career in multiple countries all over the world during his 15 year career. He is now a sideline analyst and TV host for the NBL in Australia!
Shawn's family immigrated from Guyana to Brooklyn in 1991 when he was eight years old along with his seven siblings. He fell in love with the game watching the Knicks and Bulls battle, but he never played organized basketball until he went to prep school. He went on to receive a college scholarship to Northeastern and transferred to Duquesne to finish his career. From there he began an illustrious overseas career and became a EuroLeague champion and 3x Israeli League champ with Maccabi Tel Aviv!
Dontaye Draper grew up in the projects in West Baltimore and didn't have any hoop dreams or aspirations to play in the NBA. As he got older he began to excel and knew he could potentially earn a living playing basketball. After finishing his career at the College of Charleston, Dontaye began his pro career in Sydney, Australia. From there he played in Italy, France, Belgium, Croatia, Turkey, and Spain. Dontaye is a former EuroCup MVP, 2x Spanish League Champion, Turkish Cup Winner, and Croatian Cup Winner! Tune in to hear his journey and what he's up to now in retirement!
Jeremy Pargo grew up on the South Side of Chicago idolizing his older brother Jannero. He went on to excel at Gonzaga University before starting his pro career. He's played in multiple countries around the world including China, Israel, Italy, Russia, and US with stints in the NBA and G League. Jeremy is a 4x Israeli League Champion, Russian League Champion, and also won a TBT Championship. Tune in to hear his journey!
James Gist played college ball at the University of Maryland and was selected 57th overall by the Spurs in the 2008 NBA draft. After a few injuries early in his career he began his overseas journey. He played in five different countries in five seasons until he found his home in Athens, Greece with historic Greek club, Panathinakos. James went on to spend the next seven years with the club and won five Greek League titles along the way!
Ricky Hickman is a Winston Salem native and a UNCG alum. He was working the third shift at a FedEx warehouse until he got a call from a team in Romania giving him his first pro opportunity. Ricky has gone on to play in 6 different countries during his 13 year career, and won the EuroLeague Championship in 2014 as a member of Maccabi Tel Aviv!
Jason & Ryan are brothers from south Jersey who both graduated from Rider University. Jason was selected 12th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2008 draft and spent 8 years in the NBA before transitioning to Europe. Ryan had NBA dreams but struggled with injury early in his career with the Utah Jazz. However he has played in 6 different countries in 9 seasons overseas, winning championships along the way! Tune in as they take us through their journey.
John Dibartolomeo is a former Division III standout who is off to an amazing start to his career. He is a 2x Israeli League Champion, Regular Season MVP, Final 4 MVP, Israeli Cup MVP, and 2x All Israeli League First Team member! John takes us through his journey from growing up in Westport, CT, to excelling at the University of Rochester, and ultimately becoming the Captain of Israeli powerhouse, Maccabi Tel Aviv!
J.R. Holden is one of the most decorated guards in European basketball history. He’s a 2x EuroLeague Champion, 4x Russian Cup winner, 9x Russian League Champion, and a member of EuroLeague’s 2000-2010 All Decade Team. He now serves as the Director of Player Personnel for the Brooklyn Nets!
Sonny Weems is a current member of back to back CBA champions, Guangdong Southern Tigers. He takes us through his journey beginning in West Memphis, Arkansas and details his basketball career from Juco, University of Arkansas, NBA, EuroLeague, and CBA. Tune in to hear his story and learn about his off court ventures.
Josh Powell is a former two time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. He takes us through his journey beginning in Riverdale, Georgia and details how the game of basketball has allowed him to play on 5 continents over his 14 year career. He is still playing today as a member of the Killer 3's which competes in the BIG3.
HoopTalesPodcast
Hosted by: Kyle Hines, Tyler Hines, & Mike Martin
1:00 Intro
4:09 Life overseas in 2003
9:36 Italy
15:18 Dallas Mavericks / Dirk Nowitzki
21:43 LA Lakers
28:48 Remembering Kobe Bryant
31:31 Signing with Atlanta Hawks
35:43 Golden State Warriors
41:12 China CBA
50:32 Olympiacos
1:12:34 Adjusting to adversity
1:21:12 Advice / Giving back
1:28:36 Ventures / BIG3 / Outro
Malcom Delaney is a currently one of the most accomplished guards playing Europe right now. Malcolm takes us through his journey from growing up in Baltimore, success at Virginia Tech, making First Team All EuroLeague, and signing with Atlanta Hawks. He also details his departure from top EuroLeague club, Barcelona, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hosted by: Kyle Hines, Tyler Hines, and Mike Martin
1:00 Intro/Covid-19
6:34 Growing up in Baltimore
11:15 Donté Green / AAU
18:32 Baltimore toughness
23:50 Choosing Virginia Tech
30:47 Adjusting to Blacksburg, Va
33:26 NBA Draft / Returning for Senior Year
38:58 ACC Politics
42:25 Undrafted / Signing in France with Chalon
51:31 Winning championships in Ukraine and Germany
55:53 First EuroLeague Experience
59:13 Signing with Loko / Final 4 run
1:18:28 Atlanta Hawks
1:22:15 Brother recovering from gunshot wound
1:27:40 Buying into backup role
1:36:35 Playing against fellow Baltimore native, Carmelo Anthony
1:39:00 Leaving NBA for China
1:48:07 Return back to EuroLeague with Barcelona
2:13:39 Advice / Outro
Trey Thompkins is 6'9 power forward who currently plays for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague and Liga ACB. Trey takes us through his journey from growing up in Lithonia, GA, winning a national championship at Oak Hill Academy, being selected 37th by the Los Angeles Clippers, and overcoming a career threatening injury to become a EuroLeague champion. He also tells untold stories about the rise former teammate and current Dallas Mavericks star, Luka Doncic.
Hosted by: Kyle Hines, Tyler Hines, and Mike Martin
1:00 Recovering from COVID-19 / Will EuroLeague return?
8:20 Growing up in ATL
11:20 Oak Hill Academy/choosing University of Georgia
19:30 Team USA U-19
24:00 Decision to return back to school instead of declaring for NBA Draft
27:09 NCAA Tourney battle vs. Isaiah Thomas' Washington Huskies
29:30 Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers / CP3 trade
34:54 Formation of "Lob City"
37:42 Vet stories about CP3, Blake, Deandre Jordan, Matt Barnes, Caron Butler, & more
43:45 Micro-fracture knee injury 50:32 First EuroLeague experience in Russia with Nizhny Novgorod
57:57 Signing with Real Madrid & buying into their system
1:10:50 The rise of Luka Doncic
1:17:42 2018 EuroLeague Champions
1:23:55 Dealing with the loss of his mother
1:26:46 El Classico / Meeting Cristiano Ronaldo
1:33:55 Free agency/ Advice to kids / TBT / Outro
About GTM Family Productions:
GTM Family Productions is a media production company to focuses on showing viewers what overseas basketball is all about through original and authentic content. Founded in 2017 by 4x EuroLeague Champion and 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Kyle Hines, along with producer/videographer Mike Martin. Athletes overseas are often forgotten. Through compelling stories GTM aims to help fans see basketball players as more than just athletes and remind the world that they are not defined by the sport that they play.
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