The Transforming Basketball Podcast

In this episode, George is joined by Felix Engel to explore the inner game of basketball and how awareness, mindset, and learning environments shape player development. Felix shares insights from his experience coaching youth players and working with coaches around the world, explaining why the best coaches focus less on control and more on helping players discover solutions themselves.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Felix and his coaching background

02:00 – What the “inner game” of basketball means for coaches and players

04:00 – Why awareness is a key driver of player development

06:00 – Moving from instruction-based coaching to discovery-based learning

08:00 – Helping players solve problems instead of giving them answers

10:00 – Building trust and autonomy in young athletes

12:00 – The coach’s role in shaping effective learning environments

14:00 – Balancing structure with player freedom in practice

16:00 – Encouraging decision-making through game-like situations

18:00 – Differences between coaching youth and more experienced players

20:00 – Practical ways to apply inner-game principles in everyday practice

22:00 – Creating practices that encourage curiosity and experimentation

25:00 – Long-term player development vs short-term performance

27:00 – Transformative tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George is joined by legendary coach Don Showalter to explore what truly transforms a basketball program. With over 40 years of high school coaching experience and 20+ years with USA Basketball — including 10 gold medals — Coach Don shares powerful insights on standards, skill development, communication, and building a culture that lasts. He discusses why players never “graduate” from fundamentals, how to teach in soundbites, and the two things every coach must bring to practice every day.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Coach Don and his USA Basketball journey

02:00 – Standards vs. rules: building culture through accountability, not control

04:00 – Holding players accountable without lowering expectations

06:00 – Creating energy and enthusiasm in long practice environments (Snow Valley insights)

08:00 – The five traits of great coaches: teacher, authentic, organized, humble, adaptable

10:00 – Why humility is the foundation of long-term coaching growth

12:00 – International basketball lessons: pace, shot clock, and player ownership

14:00 – Players never graduate from skills: refreshing fundamentals all season

16:00 – Structuring practice: balancing skill work, team offense, and team defense

18:00 – Teaching in soundbites: the 7-second communication rule

20:00 – Using terminology to improve practice pace and clarity

22:00 – Small-sided games, constraints, and accountability through 3-on-3

25:00 – Avoiding positional “boxes” in youth development

28:00 – Transformative coaching tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George is joined by Mfon Udofia, head coach of the Long Island Nets to share insights from his journey as a player and coach. He discusses the importance of building coaching philosophies based on personal experiences, the significance of accountability and communication with players, and effective strategies for teaching decision-making in a conceptual offense. Mfon also delves into the intricacies of the pick and roll, his experiences leading the Nigerian national team, and the valuable lessons learned from renowned coaches.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Mfon Udofia and his journey from Georgia Tech point guard to G League head coach
02:00 – How playing experience shapes (and doesn’t shape) his current coaching philosophy
03:00 – Making effort non-negotiable: defining and tracking Winning Momentum Plays (WMPs)
04:00 – Building accountability through consistency, communication, and individual development plans (IDPs)
06:00 – Creating player buy-in by understanding individual goals at the G League level
07:00 – Teaching decision-making within conceptual offense using game-like practice situations
09:00 – Nonverbal communication, spacing, and flowing offense without scripted sets
10:30 – Key principles for teaching pick-and-roll offense: setup, screening angles, and reads
12:00 – Defending the pick-and-roll: communication, drop coverage, late reds, and up-to-touch concepts
15:00 – Lessons from serving as head coach of the Nigerian National Team and leading under pressure
17:00 – Learning from elite coaches and the importance of preparation, organization, and attention to detail
19:00 – Reevaluating basketball staples: why Mfon moved away from the three-man weave
21:00 – Transformative coaching tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George is joined by Coach Mike Mennenga to share insights into his coaching philosophy, player development strategies, and the importance of physicality in basketball. He discusses his journey from Illinois to Oregon, the influence of Coach Jim Barron, and the significance of recruiting and developing talent. Coach Michael emphasizes the need for players to understand their roles without the ball and the importance of conditioning and teamwork.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Mike Mennenga and his coaching journey
03:00 – Why passion and physicality are foundational to player development
07:00 – Coaching stops along the way and how each shaped his philosophy
10:00 – Recruiting beyond talent: spontaneity, toughness, and winning habits
15:00 – Developing freshmen and preparing players physically and mentally
18:00 – Conditioning through competition and pace-based practice design
22:00 – Oregon’s matchup zone: philosophy, structure, and controlled chaos
26:00 – Forcing tough decisions, burning clock, and disrupting offensive flow
30:00 – Teaching communication, fundamentals, and one-on-one accountability
34:00 – Adjusting defenses, roster turnover, and sustaining program culture
38:00 – Transformative coaching tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George is joined by Corey McCrae to discuss the challenges and growth experienced in coaching basketball at FAU. He reflects on specific games that highlight the difficulties of maintaining leads and the lessons learned from defeats. The conversation also delves into the importance of building team dynamics and aspirations for future success.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Corey McCrae and His Basketball Journey
03:00 – Supporting Players After Mistakes
05:00 – Creating a Safe and Supportive Team Culture
07:00 – DeMatha Influence and Coaching Philosophy
10:00 – Building Strong Relationships with Players
12:00 – Teaching the Horns Offensive Set
16:00 – Defending the Horns Set
18:00 – Defensive Adjustments and Schemes
19:00 – High School to College Transition
21:00 – The 0.5 Decision-Making Rule
24:00 – Leadership Development in Players
25:00 – Transformative Tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball