The Game Related Show

You might know Sydney Smith as Nolan Smith’s sister or as the daughter of Curtis Malone, who helped hundreds of players find opportunities through DC Assault. We know her as a conduit. You might never see her in the room, but she’s often the reason the right people are in it.In Episode 87, Sydney talks about growing up around DC Assault, what she’s doing to help the program grow today, and what she saw firsthand as her brother worked his way to the pros. She also opens up about what it feels like to have her basketball knowledge underestimated as a woman and what she’s learning as she builds her agency and helps college coaches find opportunities.

On Episode 83 of Game Related, we sit down with Jason “Jay” Coleman, a professional basketball skills trainer, AAU coach, and assistant coach based in Raleigh, North Carolina.Jay has spent years around the game, and this episode dives deep into how the basketball training landscape has changed over the last 15 years—the good, the bad, and what players actually need to develop.We talk about: The evolution of the basketball training world The fundamentals Jay believes every player needs Training guards, wings, and bigs differently Developing players at different ages and skill levels Recruiting and what players need to understand about the process Balancing training with AAU and team basketball His experience coaching basketball in China Lessons he’s learned from dedicating his life to the gameThis episode was full of gems for players, parents, trainers, and coaches trying to navigate today’s basketball landscape.Make sure you SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT & SHARE the episode. Game Related Where Sports Conversations Get Real.Stay Game Related

 Game Related Show — Episode 82 | Nick Lewis & Blake Harper | VCU BasketballThis week, Game Related traveled to VCU to sit down with current players Nick Lewis and Blake Harper for a special full-circle episode.Nick and Blake both played at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. and are now teammates at VCU — a journey that hits close to home for us. Lorenzo and I also played together at Gonzaga before becoming college teammates at Niagara University.The connections go even deeper.VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. was one of our assistant coaches at Niagara, while VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin was our AD at Niagara. Both have also joined us previously on Game Related.But while Nick and Blake ended up at the same place, their paths to VCU were completely different.Blake had a standout freshman season at Howard University, transferred to Creighton, and ultimately found his way to VCU.Nick arrived at VCU as a freshman, earned A-10 Rookie of the Year honors, and made the decision to stay for his sophomore season despite having other opportunities.This conversation gives us something different: the perspective of current college basketball players navigating the game right now.We talk about: Why Nick chose to stay at VCU Blake’s journey from Howard → Creighton → VCU High-major vs. mid-major basketball The transfer portal and finding the right fit High school rankings and expectations Staying vs. transferring Individual and team goals What today’s college basketball experience is really like from the players’ perspective

 THE GAME RELATED SHOW — EPISODE 81Calvin Cage — “Wax On, Wax Off”This episode is a special one for the DMV! We sit down with DMV basketball legend Calvin Cage, who has taken his basketball journey from player to coach and is now an Assistant Coach at Hampton University.Before coaching, Calvin was a standout at Bladensburg High School, where he earned All-Met honors and led the area in scoring.He continued his career at the University at Buffalo, where he scored over 1,300 points and ranks 4th all-time in school history in three-pointers made.Calvin then spent more than a decade playing professionally overseas, making his mark in countries including Colombia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Venezuela. Now, Calvin is using everything he learned throughout his playing career to help develop the next generation.In this episode, we get into: The Transfer Portal and what players need to understand Player development and training The transition from playing to coaching What Calvin has learned as a coach His expectations and goals at Hampton University NIL and the changing college basketball landscape His DMV roots and giving back to the basketball community What he wants to accomplish as a coach The lessons he’s learned from playing professionally overseasAnd of course, we had to take a trip down memory lane.Calvin played at Buffalo. Lorenzo and I played at Niagara. That made us college rivals, so you already know there were some stories, laughs, and moments from those days that had to come back up! This is a jam-packed episode for basketball players, parents, coaches, and especially the DMV basketball community.If you’re trying to understand the game beyond the court and learn what it takes to navigate basketball at the next level, you don’t want to miss this episode. MAKE SURE YOU: Subscribe to The Game Related Show Like this episode Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway Share this episode with a player, parent, coach, or basketball fan GET THE OFFER SCORECARDWant to better understand your recruiting situation and evaluate where you stand? Get the Offer Scorecard:https://beyondtheoffer.co/ FOLLOW THE GAME RELATED SHOWInstagram: @the_game_related Subscribe to The Game Related Show on YouTube and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next episode!Stay Game Related. #TheGameRelatedShow #CalvinCage #HamptonUniversity #DMVBasketball #CollegeBasketball #TransferPortal #NIL #BasketballTraining #BasketballRecruiting #Bladensburg #BuffaloBasketball #BeyondTheOffer

TAMIKA DUDLEY — COMMITTED EPISODE 80What does it really take to develop players, build a championship culture, navigate recruiting, and prepare athletes for the ever-changing world of college basketball?In Episode 80 of The Game Related Show, we sit down with Tamika Dudley, one of the most respected high school basketball coaches in the country, for a real conversation about coaching, recruiting, player development, family, and the current state of the game.We talk about her coaching journey, recruitment, her relationship with her daughter, the transfer portal, transfer portal rankings, and what it really takes to prepare young athletes for the next level.A two-time National Championship-winning coach, Dudley has built a reputation for developing elite players and creating winning cultures. Under her leadership at Sidwell Friends School, the program competed for multiple national, state, and conference championships and reached the No. 1 ranking in the country.Throughout her career, Dudley has helped numerous athletes earn Division I opportunities, with players going on to compete at some of the top programs in college basketball.But her basketball résumé started long before coaching.Dudley was a standout player at Long Island University (LIU Brooklyn), where she was a 3x NEC First Team selection and the 2001-02 NEC Player of the Year. She was inducted into the LIU Brooklyn Hall of Fame in 2011 and finished her career holding six school records, including career points (1,745) and assists (380).Her impact has also expanded to the national level. In 2024, Dudley joined USA Basketball as an assistant coach for the Women’s Nike Hoop Summit Team, helping coach some of the nation’s top high school seniors in international competition.This episode goes beyond basketball.It’s about teaching the game, developing people, building relationships, navigating recruiting, and understanding where the game is headed. Episode 80 — Tamika Dudley: COMMITTEDIf you’re a parent, athlete, coach, or basketball fan, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. SUPPORT THE SHOW Follow us on Instagram: @the_game_related Subscribe to The Game Related Show SMASH THE LIKE BUTTON Comment below and let us know your biggest takeaway from the episode. GRAB YOUR FREE OFFER EVALUATION SCORECARDhttps://linktr.ee/gamerelatedshowLearn how to better evaluate the offers and opportunities being presented to your athlete.#TheGameRelated #TamikaDudley #Basketball #Recruiting #CollegeBasketball #TransferPortal #BasketballRecruiting #PlayerDevelopment #HighSchoolBasketball #WomensBasketball #Coaching #NIL #Episode80

Muddy Boys | Episode 79In Episode 79 of The Game Related Show, we head down to Bethel High School to sit down with two childhood friends who have become pillars in the DMV grassroots basketball community: Doug “One-Armed Doug” Dormu and Coach Boogie Washington.Before they became coaches, I actually used to train with these guys. Doug had me running through Rock Creek Park, and we would hit streetball tournaments together. I was the young gunner running with them, and those experiences created a relationship and bond that has lasted for years.Now, both have built programs that are making a major impact.Doug “One-Armed Doug” Dormu is the head coach of the Washington Warriors, an Adidas-sponsored program, and has developed some of the best players in the DMV. Before coaching, Doug was a high-level player at Theodore Roosevelt, overcoming obstacles that many people would have used as an excuse.Coach Boogie Washington is the head girls basketball coach at Bethel High School, where he has built a flagship program that continues to produce high-level players.In this conversation, we go straight into player development.We talk about: What it really takes to develop a good basketball player How the training world has changed Why being talented doesn’t always mean you’ve been developed How people want to attach themselves to good players without actually developing them The current state of high school and grassroots basketball What needs to change in basketball development Our personal experiences training and playing together The lessons we’ve learned throughout our basketball journeysThis one is bigger than basketball. It’s about development, relationships, accountability, and doing things the right way.A lot of people want to be around the finished product. But who was there during the development?This is Muddy Boys.Make sure you LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the episode!And as always…STAY GAME RELATED. #TheGameRelatedShow #MuddyBoys #Episode79 #Basketball #GrassrootsBasketball #DMVBasketball #PlayerDevelopment #HighSchoolBasketball #AAUBasketball #BasketballTraining #WashingtonWarriors #BethelBasketball

🎙️ Episode 77 | Chris Howard (Pivot Life) – From Elite Player to Trainer, Coach & LeaderOn this episode of The Game Related Show, we sit down with Chris Howard (Pivot Life) to discuss his incredible journey from being one of the top basketball players in the DMV to becoming one of the area’s most respected trainers and coaches.Chris opens up about:His growth from becoming a young father to maturing into the man he is today.How his competitive mindset once made collaboration difficult—and why he’s learned the value of working with others.His experience as the head coach of Team Takeover Museum on the Puma Circuit and how the Puma platform compares to Nike EYBL and Adidas 3SSB.The current state of basketball training culture.Why feeling appreciated matters for players and coaches.Rankings, player development, and what parents should really focus on.The evolution of DMV basketball and how today’s relationships between players compare to the intense competitive culture of previous generations.This is an honest conversation filled with valuable lessons for parents, athletes, trainers, and coaches looking to better understand today’s basketball landscape.

In Episode 75 of the Game Related Show, host Stanley Hodge sits down with VCU Head Coach Phil Martelli Jr., someone he knows well from their time together at Niagara University, where Coach Martelli served as one of Stanley’s assistant coaches.This conversation is more than basketball—it’s about growth, leadership, relationships, and what it really takes to build winning programs and successful people.In this episode, we discuss:Coach Martelli’s journey from Bryant University to becoming the Head Coach at VCU.How he helped lead VCU to the NCAA Tournament.What has changed in college basketball over the years.How he evaluates talent beyond rankings and recruiting hype.Why instilling confidence in players is one of his greatest coaching responsibilities.The lessons he’s learned as a head coach on and off the court.

In Episode 74 of The Game Related Show, we sit down with Gonzaga Head Coach Keith Urgo for a conversation that feels more like a family reunion than an interview. All 3 played at Gonzaga. This episode is a true trip down memory lane as the alumni reconnect and reflect on their shared experiences.Fresh off his first season as the head coach at Gonzaga, Coach Urgo discusses the challenges and successes of taking over the program. Despite being projected by many to finish near the bottom of the league, his team exceeded expectations and showed tremendous growth, resilience, and promise.In this episode, we dive into: Coach Urgo’s leadership and coaching philosophy How he creates accountability while putting players in positions to succeed His coaching journey through Villanova, Penn State, and Fordham The biggest differences between being an assistant coach and a head coach Lessons learned throughout his coaching career The realities of coaching players in the social media era Training culture, player development, and what truly matters His vision for Gonzaga basketball over the next five yearsThis episode is packed with insight, honesty, and perspective from one of college basketball’s rising head coaches. Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, or fan of the game, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to support the channel. Also, grab your FREE Offer Scorecard from Beyond the Offer to help navigate the recruiting process with confidence.Stay Game Related. #GameRelated #KeithUrgo #GonzagaBasketball #CollegeBasketball #Recruiting #PlayerDevelopment #TransferPortal #NIL #Coaching #BeyondTheOffer #BasketballPodcast #SportsPodcast

🎟️ Invitation to the Generational Wealth Expo:https://www.gofevo.com/event/GWSS2026📊 Grab Your Offer Evaluation Scorecard:https://magenta-emmie-18.tiiny.siteEpisode 73: Block Shoppers | Turning Paychecks Into Net WorthOn this episode of Game Related, we sit down with Randy Louis, founder of Block Shoppers, former football standout at Quince Orchard High School and Youngstown State University, who has made the transition from athlete to entrepreneur with a mission bigger than real estate.Louis shares how he’s helping athletes, families, and young professionals understand what comes after the money starts coming in. From building financial literacy to creating pathways for long-term wealth, his goal is to help the next generation avoid common mistakes and learn how to turn income into ownership.