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Hoop Heads

Hoop Heads

Written by: Hoop Heads Podcast Network
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 The Hoop Heads Podcast is co-hosted by Head Start Basketball Founder Mike Klinzing and Coach Jason Sunkle. The Hoop Heads Podcast covers a wide range of basketball topics relevant to coaches, players, and parents. Listen in for interviews with personalities from across the basketball landscape. Our line-up of podcast guests includes some of the top minds in the game across all levels, from grassroots to the NBA. They’ll share insights to help you grow as a coach, improve as a player, or enhance your experience of the game as a parent. You’ll gain new perspectives on what the best coaches are doing, how they do it, and why they do it. We hope to make you think and challenge you to consider your approach to the game of basketball. We’ll also attempt to entertain and inform as we share our thoughts on the NBA and college hoops. We are passionately committed to the Hoop Heads Podcast and growing the game of basketball. Visit our website www.hoopheadspod.com to check out every episode we've ever recorded and learn more about what drives our show! Thank you for being a part of Hoop Heads Nation!Podcast by Hoop HeadsAll rights reserved Basketball Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Sherry Levin - Author of the Book "Pre-Game: A Winning Mindset" - Episode 1249

    Sherry Levin - Author of the Book "Pre-Game: A Winning Mindset" - Episode 1249
    May 8 2026
    Sherry Levin is the author of the new book “Pre-Game: A Winning Mindset”. Sherry is a trailblazer in the world of sports and leadership. From being the all-time leading scorer at Holy Cross College to becoming an internationally recognized basketball coach, Sherry’s career reflects her passion for resilience, teamwork, and positivity.Sherry has been inducted into four Hall of Fames (Holy Cross, Newton North High School, New England Basketball, and Jewish Heritage Athletic). Her coaching record is 420-97. She has won 82% of her games and has earned multiple New England Championships.Sherry has mentored top-tier athletes, including Aliyah Boston, the #1 WNBA draft pick and Rookie of the Year in 2023. She has coached Team USA to five gold medals for Maccabi USA at the World Maccabiah Games, Pan Am Maccabi, and European Maccabi Games.Sherry has also inspired audiences as a motivational speaker, ESPN analyst, and creative leader in video production. A single mother and breast cancer survivor, she embodies the resilience and optimism that underpin Pre-Game.On this episode Mike & Sherry discuss the significance of resilience, personal accountability, and the empowering mindset that athletes can cultivate to excel in both sports and life. Furthermore, we explore the transformative power of coaching, as Levin shares inspiring anecdotes that highlight the profound impact a coach can have on their players' journeys. Through a series of compelling anecdotes and reflective insights, Levin expounds on the philosophical underpinnings of coaching that transcend mere sports strategies, instead framing them as vital life skills. This episode serves not only as an exploration of athletic development but also as a testament to the enduring lessons that extend well beyond the court.Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.Get ready to take down some notes as you listen to this episode with Sherry Levin, author of the new book “Pre-Game: A Winning Mindset”.Website - https://sherrylevin.com/Email - sherrylevin24@gmail.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-levin-76948523/Visit our Sponsors!Give With HoopsGive With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.D3 Direct Recruiting PlaybookHoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off!Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.The Coaching PortfolioYour first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.Wealth4CoachesEmpowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/supportTwitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspodMike - @hdstarthoopsJason - @jsunkleInstagram@hoopheadspodFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Cavs, Pistons, & Sixers Win Game 7's Plus Conference Semi Previews - Episode 1248

    Cavs, Pistons, & Sixers Win Game 7's Plus Conference Semi Previews - Episode 1248
    May 4 2026

    On this episode Mike and Jason discuss the Cavs winning Game 7 against Toronto behind a huge 3rd quarter from Jarrett Allen. They also break down the Pistons beating the cold shooting Magic to come back from 3-1 down and the Sixers winning Game 7 in Boston to do the same. Next they turn their attention to the 4 Conference Semi-finals and look ahead to the matchups before making predictions for each series.

    Visit our Sponsors!

    Give With Hoops

    Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

    D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

    Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off!

    Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

    The Coaching Portfolio

    Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

    Wealth4Coaches

    Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

    If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

    Twitter/X

    Podcast - @hoopheadspod

    Mike - @hdstarthoops

    Jason - @jsunkle

    Instagram

    @hoopheadspod

    Facebook

    https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

    YouTube

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Mike Williams - Grand Valley State University Women's Basketball Head Coach, D2 2025 & 2026 National Champions - Episode 1246

    Mike Williams - Grand Valley State University Women's Basketball Head Coach, D2 2025 & 2026 National Champions - Episode 1246
    May 4 2026
    Mike Williams is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Grand Valley State University where he just led the Lakers to back to back D2 National Championships in 2025 and 2026. In his 11 years at the helm of the Laker program, he has amassed a 314-50 (.863) overall record and a 188-28 (.870) record in the GLIAC. He has led the Lakers to six GLIAC regular season titles, four GLIAC Tournament titles, four Midwest Regional titles, and two National Championships.This is the second stint for Williams at GVSU, as he was an assistant coach with the Lakers from 2002-2007, which included winning the 2006 Division II National Championship.Williams spent four seasons as the head coach at Davenport, where he compiled an outstanding 130-11 (.922) overall record. Before becoming the head coach at Davenport, Williams spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan. He was also responsible for starting the women's basketball program at Finlandia (NCAA Division III) in Hancock, Mich. In his three seasons as head coach (1999-2000 to 2001-02), the team owned a 44-33 (.571) record.Williams coached for a number of years at the high school level, where he was head coach of the girls varsity team at Hancock High School from 1989 to 2000. Those teams recorded a 207-51 (.802) mark, winning eight district championships and four regional titles. For five seasons, he was also the head coach of the varsity boys team at Hancock, owning a 72-36 (.667) record.He began his coaching career at Ironwood High School, as head coach of the girls varsity team in 1986. A few years later, Williams moved to the collegiate ranks, serving as an assistant coach during the 1988-89 season with at Michigan Tech.On this episode Mike and Mike discuss how Grand Valley State won consecutive Division II national championships in 2025 and 2026. Wiliams shares the importance of fostering a unique team identity and the necessity of cultivating leadership among players, particularly following the loss of seasoned seniors. Coach Williams shares poignant reflections on the emotional landscape of victory, contrasting it with the weighty burden of defeat, and articulates the strategies employed to mitigate pressure while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. Our discussion also highlights the meticulous preparation required during tournament play, underscoring the balance between individual player development and team cohesion. Williams offers listeners a profound understanding of the dedication and strategic thinking that lead to back to back National Championships.Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.Get ready to take some notes as you listen to this episode with Mike Williams, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Grand Valley State University, back to back D2 National Champions in 2025 and 2026.Website - https://gvsulakers.com/sports/womens-basketballEmail - willimi@gvsu.eduTwitter/X - @Mike_WilliamsGV @gvsuwbbVisit our Sponsors!Give With HoopsGive With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.D3 Direct Recruiting PlaybookHoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off!Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.The Coaching PortfolioYour first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.Wealth4CoachesEmpowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/supportTwitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspodMike - @hdstarthoopsJason - @jsunkleInstagram@hoopheadspodFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/YouTubehttps://...
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    44 mins
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