Ep. 329 DJ Bakker, Greensboro Swarm

This week Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by DJ Bakker, head coach of the 2025-26 G-League Champion Greensboro Swarm.In this episode Bakker shares insights into managing constant roster turnover and creating alignment between the Swarm and the Charlotte Hornets to ensure consistent development, terminology, and expectations across both levels. The conversation dives deep into offensive philosophy, including how Greensboro became one of the highest-scoring teams in G League history by prioritizing elite spacing, early-clock decision making, paint touches, and unselfish play. Bakker also details his approach to defensive principles, pick-and-roll coverage, practice structure, and the importance of over-communication and adaptability in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Regardless of what level you are coaching, this episode includes concepts on building identity, maximizing personnel, and developing players in today’s game.All that and more on Episode 329 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more⁠🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this week’s episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by Noah Basketball CEO John Carter to break down the science of shooting and how data is transforming the way the perfect shot is taught and developed. Drawing on nearly a billion tracked shots, Carter explains the three critical variables that define great shooting—arc, depth, and left/right accuracy—and why most coaches have historically misunderstood them. The episode also dives into how the Noah system is being used across the NBA, college, and now high school levels to drive player development, inform decision-making, and eliminate bad habits through real-time feedback. Suhr and Carter discuss the evolution of shooting analytics, the accessibility of Noah’s backboard system, and how coaches can better develop players by focusing on what truly matters instead of simply getting up reps. This is a must-listen for any coach serious about understanding and teaching shooting the right way this offseason.All that and more on Episode 328 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more🏀 Cant Make it to Las Vegas? Work on Your Game Anytime with Coaching U+Now is your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared by accessing our entire library of coaching clinic videos anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr reflects on the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, breaking down key takeaways from the Final Four —emphasizing how defensive pressure, execution, and style of play ultimately decide games in March. The focus then shifts to the offseason, where he challenges coaches to treat it as a “coaching laboratory”—installing systems, preparing for real-game situations, and building habits through five-on-five play, defense, and individualized player development. All that and more on episode 327 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by longtime basketball coach and analyst Fran Fraschilla for a deep dive into the NCAA tournament and the upcoming Final Four. Fran brings his unique insight & perspective as he reflects on everything from the strength of the Big 12 to how injuries reshaped the national landscape late in the season, and how the modern game—impacted by NIL and the transfer portal—has shifted the tournament, creating fewer Cinderella runs but often delivering higher-level matchups deeper into March. The two spend time breaking down key teams and coaches still standing, including the discipline of Kelvin Sampson’s Houston program, the offensive creativity of Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona team, and the evolution of coaches like Brad Underwood, and Dusty May. Fran highlights how today’s best programs blend NBA-level concepts with international influence, emphasizing spacing, skill, decision-making, and elite execution—something the best teams consistently do in high-pressure moments. Beyond the X’s and O’s, the episode turns into a masterclass on coaching growth as Fran and Brendan discuss how elite coaches study the game. All that and more on episode 326 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madness⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

In this episode, Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by the incomparable Debbie Antonelli to break down the first weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments. The two dive into the best games and biggest storylines from both brackets, from the dominance of the power programs on the women’s side to the depth, coaching, and competitiveness still alive in the men’s field. Along the way, Debbie shares sharp insight on teams like UConn, LSU, UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, St. John’s, Purdue, Michigan, and more—while also offering bigger-picture thoughts on how the college game is evolving.All that and more on episode 325 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madness⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

This week we revisit a conversation with Furman head coach Bob Richey. Richey reflects on his journey from a low-paid young assistant at Charleston Southern to becoming one of the most respected coaches in college basketball, and shares why intentional growth—not just ambition—has shaped his path. He explains the importance of knowing who you are as a coach, finding mentors that align with your philosophy, and going deep in your study instead of chasing surface-level ideas.Richey also opens up about the systems Furman has built beyond basketball, from leadership councils and mentorship programs to etiquette dinners, financial education, and guest speakers designed to prepare players for life after the game. He and Coach Suhr discuss messaging, conviction, player development through love instead of fear, and why culture is built by consistently growing people—not just chasing wins. All that and more on episode 324 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 March Madness Savings for Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/madnessNot a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code MADNESS20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

This week Coach Brendan Suhr sits down with Ryan Bernardi, head coach of Prolific Prep, to dig into what it really takes to coach elite talent—and build a program that develops players and people. Bernardi shares how relationships and accountability are the foundation for coaching great players, why humility and owning mistakes earns trust with today’s athletes, and how his staff designs practices to maximize focus, decision-making, and energy (including a heavy dose of live 5-on-5). They also talk about Prolific’s unique “AP basketball” model, the move to Fort Lauderdale, and what it looks like to run a high-performance program with a deep, stable staff—plus Bernardi’s firsthand perspective on coaching top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson and helping them handle growth, pressure, and preparation.All that and more on episode 323 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.More about today's guest: Ryan Bernardi is the Head Coach and Director of Basketball at Prolific Prep, where he has built one of the premier prep programs in the country. With a career winning percentage over 85%, Bernardi has led nationally ranked teams, won multiple Grind Session championships, and coached seven McDonald’s All-Americans, numerous five-star prospects, and current NBA players. He has orchestrated high-profile NIL partnerships with Nike and Adidas for top-ranked prospects AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, while also overseeing Prolific Prep’s relocation to Fort Lauderdale and the development of a state-of-the-art $3 million training facility. Bernardi has already established himself as one of the nation's top prep coaches and is a forward-thinking leader in the evolving landscape of high school and NIL-era basketball who has a bright future in the coaching profession.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 Work on Your Game this Offseason with Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout🚨 Enjoy EARLY BIRD SAVINGS on Coaching U Live 2026... Register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

This week Coach Brendan Suhr continues the conversation with David Thorpe—widely regarded as the “Godfather of Player Development”—and the two dive even deeper into what it actually takes to help players grow and succeed at every level.Thorpe breaks down the daily habits that separate real developers from drill collectors, why ball handling is non-negotiable for every position, and the simple truths young players must embrace to earn trust. He also shares his blueprint for what an NBA player development staff should look like, why so many programs miss the mark, and how great coaches keep players grounded—especially when they’re struggling.The conversation closes with powerful insight on the assistant coach role. This episode is truly a masterclass in building players—and building a staff that actually develops them.All that and more on episode 322 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Learn more about David's PTC Virtual programNoah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 Work on Your Game with Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout🚨 We're also trying out something new for Coaching U Live 2026... and you can register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

This week Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by the godfather of player development, David Thorpe for part 1 of a special 2 part conversation.So sit back and enjoy episode 321 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠🏀 Work on Your Game as a Coach at Anytime on Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout🚨 We're also trying out something new for Coaching U Live 2026... and you can register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more

In this week’s episode Coach Brendan Suhr emphasizes the importance of focusing on a single guiding principle for the year, inspired by John Gordon's concept of 'One Word.' He also provides practical coaching tips for managing teams during league play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a neutral mindset after wins and losses, the significance of body language, the importance of player development throughout the season, as well as a list of nine essential traits for outstanding coaching.All that and more on episode 320 of the Coaching U Podcast presented by Noah Basketball.Noah Basketball is trusted by 28 NBA teams, over 200 NCAA programs, and over 1,000 high school programs to capture and analyze key shooting metrics to help your players perfect their shot and reach their max potential.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noahbasketball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Want plays delivered directly to your email inbox each morning? We just launched our FREE Give & Go Newsletter - sign up today to start receiving plays each day!⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to sign up⁠⁠⁠🏀 Work on Your Game as a Coach at Anytime on Coaching U+Now’s your chance to watch every speaker, every session, and learn every strategy shared at this year’s clinics anytime, anywhere, on any device!Watch NOW: ⁠⁠⁠coachingulive.com/plus⁠⁠⁠Not a member? Save 20% off your membership to Coaching U+ by using promo code PODCAST20 at checkout🚨 We're also trying out something new for Coaching U Live 2026... and you can register now for the lowest price we have ever offered!⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE to learn more