In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast from New England Basketball Journal, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive deep into the New England basketball scene. They are joined by their first guest, Leo Papile, the founder of the Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC), established in 1977. Leo shares insights from his storied career, including his time working with the Celtics and Clippers, and his role in US men's national development team. The conversation covers the BABC's recent season, standout players and future prospects. The podcast also touches on the broader basketball landscape, AAU misconceptions, NIL impacts, and the evolution of recruiting. A light-hearted ‘Full Court Press’ segment wraps up the episode with rapid-fire questions about rules and memorable moments in basketball.

Topics

00:26 Introducing the First Guests: Leo Papile and Cotton

01:13 Leo Papile on Basketball Downtime and Olympic Insights

05:21 Discussing BABC's Season and Performance

09:06 Highlighting Top Players and Their Prospects

17:42 Recruitment and Academic Challenges

24:53 The Philosophy of Team and Individual Success

31:01 The Misnomer of AAU Basketball

32:27 Evolution of Grassroots Basketball Leagues

35:31 NIL Deals in Amateur Basketball

39:23 Coaching Philosophy and Longevity

43:44 Full Court Press: Rapid Fire Questions

54:45 Closing Thoughts and Reflections