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I Really Hoop Podcast

I Really Hoop Podcast

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 I Really Hoop Podcast is Kenya’s top basketball podcast and a leading voice in African basketball conversations. Hosted by Javan, a sports journalist and basketball player, and Edu, the podcast delivers in-depth analysis of Kenyan basketball, the NBA, the BAL leagues, and the business and culture of the game. Featuring informed debates, timely reactions, and guest insights, I Really Hoop connects fans, players, and the basketball community through authentic, intelligent, and impactful conversations. If you love basketball, you really hoop.I Really Hoop Podcast Basketball
Episodes
  • Nairobi City Thunder BAL 6 Review, Kenya Hoops Problems, NBA App Debate, Bam Adebayo 83 | Ep. 23

    Nairobi City Thunder BAL 6 Review, Kenya Hoops Problems, NBA App Debate, Bam Adebayo 83 | Ep. 23
    Apr 23 2026

    Welcome back It's been a while since its been just Javan and Edu! In Episode 23 of the I Really Hoop Podcast, we have in-depth discussion on both Kenyan and global basketball topics. Our Jordan episode!


    In this episode, we break down Nairobi City Thunder’s performance and preparation in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 6, analyzing their roster, level of competition, and whether they are truly ready to compete at the continental stage.


    The conversation also dives into the current challenges facing Kenyan basketball, including structural issues, competitiveness in the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL), and what needs to change for the game to grow locally.


    On the global side, we debate the NBA viewing experience, comparing the NBA App and YouTube, and what platforms fans actually prefer in today’s digital era, because the BAL enforced the NBA App (NBA.com to be the only way to watch the BAL Season 6.


    We also react to the viral moment involving Bam Adebayo and the 83-point conversation, breaking down what it means in the wider NBA context.


    This episode blends Kenyan basketball analysis with global NBA conversations, delivering insight, debate, and honest opinions throughout.


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro Song ("BASELINE" prod. by Haven Music)

    01:56 Episode Topics Preview

    03:22 Thunder’s Hype and Merch

    04:36 Press Card and Coverage Plans

    05:19 BAL Watch Party Recap

    10:35 Thunder’s Games and Record

    13:59 Injuries and Team Critique

    16:30 Giveaway Win and Fan Moments

    19:25 NBA App Streaming Debate

    22:32 BAL Controversy and Expectations

    25:28 Dylan Ivy Waived Discussion

    27:22 Opinions and Fallout

    27:56 Kenya Basketball Growth

    28:49 NBA Expansion Buzz

    29:33 Kenya Select Game Recap

    30:15 Supporting Local Hoops

    31:36 Behind the Scenes Break

    33:00 Bam Adebayo 83

    36:02 Disrespect Debate

    38:07 Cooper Flagg 51

    39:09 Awards and Injuries

    45:29 Medina and Final Four

    50:35 Wrap Up and Netflix Talk


    Drop your thoughts below.


    🎙 Hosts

    Javan

    instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/javan_o_ekhalie⁠

    twitter_x: ⁠https://www.x.com/javan_o_ekhalie⁠

    linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Javan_O_Ekhalie⁠

    Edu:

    instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/edmundi_o/⁠



    Follow, like, comment, share, and subscribe to us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all available podcast platforms, social media pages, as well as the co-host's social media pages.


    YouTube:

    https://youtu.be/NuMHgDd0JcI?si=__QyTORNavs91PyN


    Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MUc1Fx2cV8etw03CgQDLD?si=3340b65146404aa0


    Apple Podcasts:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/nairobi-city-thunder-bal-6-review-kenya-hoops-problems/id1831444430?i=1000763291931

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/ireallyhooppod/


    TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@ireallyhooppod


    #IReallyHoopPodcast #NBAPodcast #KenyanBasketball #BasketballKenya #BasketballKE #NBA #NBADebate #BamAdebayo #BAL6 #NairobiCityThunder #KNBL #AfricanBasketball #SportsMedia
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    53 mins
  • Nderitu (NBA Kenya): Rain @ Nyayo Indoor Gym!, Nairobi City Thunder, BAL 6, KBF’s Problems | Ep. 22

    Nderitu (NBA Kenya): Rain @ Nyayo Indoor Gym!, Nairobi City Thunder, BAL 6, KBF’s Problems | Ep. 22
    Mar 15 2026
    Welcome back! In Episode 22 of the I Really Hoop Podcast, Javan is joined once again by Top Kenyan basketball analyst and reporter, Nderitu (NBA Kenya) for a deep and honest conversation about the current state of basketball in Kenya.Chapters00:00 Intro Song ("BASELINE" prod. by Haven Music)00:14 Welcome back!00:21 No. 1 Kenyan Basketball Podcast (Ask Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)00:37 Welcoming Nderitu (Returning Guest)00:46: Episode 21 with him is the most viewed episode01:01: Heavy Nairobi Rains (6 March 2026), Floods02:32 Nyayo Indoor Basketball Gymnasium's embarrassing flooding situation03:45 A cat or rat was spotted07:32 Some fans weren't refunded09:18 Nyayo has had no major upgrade since the 1980's12:38 SHocking Crowd Management at Nyayo Indoor Gym14:00 Risks of wet floor to players and fans16:07 Nyayo should stop hosting basketball games till renovation16:20 Bad sanitation at Nyayo (Washorooms, no water, stench)18:00 Why the BAL put Black & White posts for the Road to BAL in Kasarani Indoor Arena18:54 Kenya got lucky to host the Road to BAL 2025 and the WBLA Qualifiers 101521:23 Positioning of washrooms at Nyayo (Too Open)21:48 Stench from washrooms going to the gymnasium22:31 Clean up the venues, ya'll!24:00 Move games to Kasarani, provide transport at a fee24:45 Fauly, old scoreboards25:40 Javan says he isn't a strong Nairobi City Thunder Fan25:49 NCT need competition26:18 More Overcrowding issues at Nyayo Indoor Gym29:08 What's the deal between Stadia Management and the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF)?29:46 The 2026 Basketball AFrica League (BAL) Season 6 & NCT's Preparation30:09 Nairobi City Thunder's New Signings30:21 Ater Majok moved from NCT to Dar City and now Dakar30:38 Albert Odero moved from NCT to Tigers Rwanda now back to NCT30:52 NCT's frontcourt31:20 WIll NCT be better or worse this upcoming BAL 6?32:47 New BAL Conferences Format32:20 NCT's limited Preparation Time35:07 Does NCT have yesmen?36:25 NCT fear losing a single game at the Kenya National Basketball League38:28 Other teams' BAL rosters40:16 Kalahari COnference is in SOuth Africa while the Sahara COnference is in Morocco20:53 Derrick Ogechi can help NCT since he's now in the roster40:49 Ogechi's Highlight Reel41:51 Ogechi not playing at BAL 542:10 NCT's tough BAL 6 Fixtures46:17 What will NCT do about the KNBL game fixtures during BAL 6?50:29 KBF officials overstaying office52:00 KBFs failed deal with Fireflies COmpany52:21 KBF's Greed by selling tickets to a full Nyayo Indoor Gym54:57 We just want change coz we love basketball55:16 Nderitu responds to fan who he had an argument with on last episode's comments on Instagram59:26 Nderitu has tough skin01:00:41 Come at Nderitu with a missile, you'll get a nuclear warhead back01:01:20 Nderitu will keep exposing the mismanagement in Kenyan Basketball01:02:05 Co-host Edu was unavailable for this episode01:02:14 Outro (Like, Share, Subscribe)Drop your thoughts below.🎙 HostJavan (Basketball Twin) https://www.instagram.com/javan_o_ekhalie👤 GuestDennis Nderitu (NBA Kenya) https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@nbakenya⁩ Follow, like, comment, share, and subscribe to us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all available podcast platforms, social media pages, as well as the co-host's social media pages.YouTube: https://youtu.be/VpneZ8Am2dc?si=3Tu6A3-rI-eonbVfSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TQSX4K44HQTyWtDRXVOlW?si=jA1fyFdHRiqdGS9ACc0qYAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/nderitu-nba-kenya-rain-nyayo-indoor-gym-nairobi-city/id1831444430?i=1000755402987All our Links (LinkTree): https://linktr.ee/ireallyhooppodInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ireallyhooppod/#IReallyHoopPodcast #NBAPodcast #KenyanBasketball #BasketballKenya #BasketballKE #KenyaMorans #KBF #NBAKenya #AfricanBasketball #BasketballAfricaLeague #BAL #BAL6 #NairobiCityThunder #KNBL #SportsMedia #DennisNderitu
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Dennis Nderitu (NBA Kenya): Accountability, KBF Controversy, The State of Kenyan Basketball | Ep. 21

    Dennis Nderitu (NBA Kenya): Accountability, KBF Controversy, The State of Kenyan Basketball | Ep. 21
    Mar 1 2026
    In Episode 21, we sit down with Dennis Nderitu, founder of NBA Kenya, basketball analyst, reporter, and one of the most outspoken voices in Kenyan basketball media. This is one of the most honest and unfiltered conversations we have had on the platform. The episode explores standards, transparency, governance, and the future of basketball journalism in Kenya.Episode Chapters:00:00 Episode 20 Kickoff00:26 Meet Dennis Nderitu01:27 Subscribe And Support01:50 Why He Loves Basketball05:54 Why Basketball Over Football07:32 NBA Live & 2K Era + Favorite Players08:26 Lakers Fandom & Luka Trade11:12 Starting the NBA Kenya Brand17:49 NBA Kenya Name Explained20:01 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Friction & Accountability24:00 KBF Elections & Governance Issues26:24 Banned From KNBL Playoff Game at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium29:21 Player Confrontations During Games31:25 Clearing the Air31:57 Criticism Is Part of Sport34:28 Receipts, Stats & Film36:11 Calling Out the Ban37:46 Negativity vs Positive Coverage39:52 Why I Left Woopy (Okapi) Sport42:01 Kenyan Basketball Media Growth43:38 Foul and One Podcast Beef Explained45:57 Madina Okot Visa Story Breakdown49:23 KBF Broadcast Fees53:44 KNBL League Start Date Confusion57:20 Showing Up to Games Anyway58:24 Hosting BAL (Road to BAL) & FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA)58:55 Final Thoughts on Progress01:00:00 Ticket Price Controversy01:00:51 Bad Venue Experience01:01:18 Kenya Hosts Qualifiers01:02:09 Thunder Praise and Critique01:03:13 BAL Struggles and Heartbreak01:04:27 Morans Sacrificed Claim01:06:14 Stadium Canopy and Arenas01:07:25 BAL Franchise Buy In01:08:45 Building Basketball Culture01:09:21 Franchise Format Roadblocks01:10:00 League Pressure and Sabotage01:10:28 When Franchises Could Happen01:10:38 Thunder and Arena Money01:11:21 NBA Africa Vision01:12:17 Why the Creator Went Quiet01:13:44 IShowSpeed Basketball Fumble01:15:43 Gen Z Goliath Height Debate01:16:51 Wrap Up and ShoutoutsVideo on Nderitu being denied access to the Nyayo Stadium Basketball Gymnasiumhttps://youtu.be/9XFpSxn7mj0?si=99W0oJ2OTDuU_fVk Discussion Questions: - Is criticism necessary for growth in Kenyan basketball? - Should federations be held more accountable? - What is the future of independent sports media in Kenya?listen_and_follow:YouTube: https://youtu.be/PTLOk4LnduQ?si=_vISiW6o9anAIGyGSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BxVdZG3Y8sSgT5WqL4TjN?si=l6DXyV96S0mcfRIH_SOp_wApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ke/podcast/dennis-nderitu-nba-kenya-accountability-kbf-controversy/id1831444430?i=1000752346315All our links( LinkTree): https://linktr.ee/ireallyhooppodsocial_media: podcast_instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireallyhooppod/hosts: javan: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javan_o_ekhalie twitter_x: https://www.x.com/javan_o_ekhalie linktree: https://linktr.ee/Javan_O_Ekhalie edu: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edmundi_o/guest: name: "Dennis Nderitu (NBA Kenya)" youtube_channels: - https://www.youtube.com/@nbakenya - https://www.youtube.com/@nderitubasketball - https://www.youtube.com/@nderitubasketballextra hosted_by: - Javan (Basketball Twin) - Edu (Mini LeBron)
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    1 hr and 19 mins
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