SCO: The Podcast

Myerscough alum Pedro Ellery returns to the podcast to talk about his recent commitment to Montana State University at Billings, as well as what fuels his drive. Pedro talks about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on his career at the Academy, how he navigated it, and what has allowed him to "stick" at every turn.

Myerscough alumni Travis Edwards joins the podcast to talk about the origins of the Square Sesh, what his focus was on at the Academy and how to prepare for life after leaving the programme. He also gives us insight on what projects he's working on and where his intense drive comes from.

SCO: The Podcast is joined by a pair of brothers – Michael and Daniel Johnston – who are part of the U14 and U16 teams, respectively, within the Myerscough junior basketball setup. Michael and Daniel will talk about their experience at Myerscough as players and as content creators, documenting the U16 and U14 teams on social media. You’ll also hear from several members of the U16s, as Michael dropped by training to learn more. At the end of the podcast, Michael and Daniel’s dad and mum, Garry and Vivian give a quick insight into the boys and what role the Academy plays for the family.To learn more about junior basketball at Myerscough, visit: www.myerscoughbasketball.co.uk/junior-academy.

One of the most individually decorated players in Myerscough Basketball history, Tyrese Lacey, drops by for his podcast debut. Ty racked up more than five individual accolades and was crowned Most Valuable Player at the 2024 HoopsFix All-Star Classic in his lone season at the Academy. He will talk about his drive for basketball, what it was like being at an American high school, what brought him back to England, and how Myerscough has set him up for success at Daytona State as he returns across the Atlantic.

Myerscough alum Milly Knowles, who ended her Eastern Washington career on a high with a Big Sky regular season and conference tournament championship, joins the podcast to talk about overcoming adversity early and how the hiring of Joddie Gleason reignited her passion for the game during an important time in her collegiate career. Milly shares the highlights of being a champion and details the glitz and glam of the NCAA Tournament — and how it set her up with a lifetime supply of deodorant.

Myerscough alum Great Osobor jumps on the podcast fresh off his commitment to Washington, where he became the most valuable man in college basketball. Great talks about the craziness of the transfer portal the second time around, what went into his decision, his player-coach relationship with Danny Sprinkle and Chris Haslam and how Myerscough helped give him the platform to get to where he is now.The Academy is currently hosting visits for those interested in starting at Myerscough Basketball in September 2024. To register: https://shorturl.at/Op7vk.

Academy coach Troy Culley returns to the podcast for Episode 43 for his third visit to talk about balancing coaching and normal life, share his thoughts on the state of the Academy, what he sees as the keys to success of progressing at Myerscough and then takes a look back at his favourite Myerscough memories. 

Myerscough Basketball's Daniel Nwauzu chats about his development throughout his three years at the Academy, including his breakout season this past year, trips to Europe and why building player-coach relationships is important to fostering success.

After a three year hiatus, SCO: The Podcast returns with a bang! Allen Gunn first sits down with Myerscough Basketball architect Neal Hopkins before catching up with Academy alum Amari Williams, who talks about his recent commitment to Blue Blood programme Kentucky Men's Basketball.

In the season 2 finale of the podcast, Myerscough Basketball alum, current players and coaching staff share their fondest memories of their time with the programme and advice they have for incoming classes. From trips abroad and winning championships, to smoked cheese incidents and field sessions and everything in between, this is the Myerscough experience.

The penultimate episode of Season 2 sees Neal Hopkins return to the podcast to talk about coming out of lockdown, the return to campus and what the last year has been like from the perspective of an educator and coach. The boss also shines a light on the positive impact Myerscough student-athletes made away from the court and talks about the challenges still ahead. Allen is then joined by newly crowned CAA Champions Mate Okros and Amari Williams to talk about the tournament and what it was like to cut down nets for the first time!

Myerscough Basketball's Class of 2021 Great Osobor makes his return to the podcast, this time for a feature-length episode to talk about his commitment to Montana State Men's Basketball, why he's made an instant impact at the NBL Division One level and what he enjoys most about the game of basketball. The Tudela, Spain native also looks back at his time at Myerscough how he took advantage of the platform the Academy provides student-athletes.

Myerscough alum Ben Gordos has found himself at home in the United States — he just hopes he doesn't lose the accent. The sophomore guard, currently at Concordia University (Chicago), will detail his crazy injury history as he looks back at his time at Myerscough and how his time at the Academy prepared him for life abroad. Ben also takes us inside his growing shoe collection and his current fashion style.

Myerscough alum and current Manchester Giants photographer Harry Collins joins fellow shutterbug Allen Gunn to talk all things cameras and hoops. Harry also chats about his ventures in building OKC Daily — a page dedicated to the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder — and HC Captures. He gives his thoughts on what the Academy did for him and how he managed his expectations even before stepping foot on campus.

Myerscough alum Tyrell Brown swings by the pod to discuss Academy antics from dreaded field sessions to locker room high jinks. Ty also gives an honest assessment of his time in Preston and the lengths he went in order to make himself stick at the top end of the programme.

Myerscough alum Sanmi Fajana calls into the pod from the Lone Star State where he is currently based at Blinn College (Texas) to talk hoops, culture and Ireland. Sanmi gives a shout out to the Ongar Chasers, looks back at the moment when basketball became serious and what he's learnt throughout his journey chasing his dreams. 

At long last, Myerscough alum Konrad Kantorski jumps on the pod to about his time at the Academy, which included being part of the team that won the programme's first senior titles. The Captain also talks about how he embraced being "undersized" and how the chip on his shoulder turned him into a relentless competitor. From spin moves to bold moves, Konrad doesn't hold back.

It's a who's who of British basketball as Myerscough Basketball Academy coach Mike Bernard joins the podcast to look back at his career from junior to storied professional. "Big Mike" talks about when he began to take the sport serious, the biggest influences on his success and the importance of building a family along the journey. 

Myerscough Under-18s coach Lewis Scott calls into the pod to talk about his growth as a coach and what he expects from players coming into his teams. Lewis also reflects back on what it has been like to work with some of the top junior prospects in British basketball and the role Myerscough has played in their development on and off court.

Myerscough alum Zion Tordoff's dad Dan jumps on the pod to offer a unique perspective on what it is like being one part of a parental unit of a NCAA Division I athlete. He talks about the recruitment process, handling the ups and downs and what he feels his role is. Dan saves time to look back at the journey he and Sue have been on with Big Z so far, which has taken them across Europe and the Atlantic!

Myerscough alum and current Newberry College guard Callan Low calls into the pod from South Carolina to chat how he got into basketball, why he thinks Scottish players have success at academies in England and his highlights from his time in Preston. Oh, and Cal dishes on his all-Myerscough teammate starting five.

Myerscough alum and reunited teammates Mate Okros and Amari Williams call into the pod to talk all things Drexel Hoops and how opportunities provided by Myerscough Basketball prepared them for the next step in the careers both athletically and academically. The two look back at their time playing out in Europe in the EYBL and other highlights from their time in Preston.

Myerscough Basketball alum Stoyan Toshkov calls in from Bulgaria to talk about his journey to the Preston-based programme, the influence of the Academy's coaching staff on his own coaching journey and how he's taking advantage of the opportunity to work with the BBL's Worcester Wolves. Allen saves time to take Stoyan on a trip down memory lane to talk the "best of" during his time at the Academy.

Myerscough Basketball newcomer Wakeem Richardson (Class of 2021) drops by the pod to talk to Allen about what it was like growing up in Anguilla and how his early introduction to basketball fueled his competitive spirit. Plus, he details his transition to England, his selection to DENG Camp and what he's currently getting up to in the gym.

Liverpudlian Dan Gargan joins the pod to talk life as a basketball student-athlete at Myerscough College. Dan also reminisces on some of his highlights from the shortened 2019-20 season and the impact the first lockdown had on his game. He saves some time to about the Liverpool accent and the Myerscough melting pot.

This week, the pod catches up with Myerscough's resident viking Troy Culley. Troy talks about his coaching "eureka moment", balancing basketball with daily life and some of the highlights of where the game has taken him.

Second-year Myerscough guard Pedro Ellery joins the podcast to talk about how he adjusted to living  away from home in Year 1, how he's taken on a leadership role this year and what he believes helps players rise within the Academy.

Myerscough Basketball coaching staff newcomer and Alabama native Joe Gurley joins the pod to talk about where his passion for sports developed, his early years as a coach, working with NCAA Division I student-athletes and what he now hopes to bring to the Academy.

SCO: The Podcast returns for season 2 and opens with Neal Hopkins hosting Louis Sullivan, who chats candidly about his struggles with mental health, hitting rock bottom and what gave him the confidence to seek help, and how he's now bringing awareness to the topic. You can support Louis' Movember cause here: https://uk.movember.com/mospace/14436477.

In the Season 1 finale of SCO: The Podcast, alum Dave Walsh talks about the evolution of Myerscough Basketball throughout his time playing in the green and black, as well as his own personal progression on and off the court using the progamme as a vehicle. Dave also explains how he balances a full-time job alongside a busy basketball schedule.

Myerscough Basketball alum James Banton recently picked up his life in England and headed to Switzerland for work. In this episode, he talks moving on from basketball but also how he took advantage of the opportunities the sport provided along the way to his new pursuit.

Former Myerscough Basketball physio Nick McCarthy joins the podcast to talk about his journey from British Basketball to the Premier League where he’s currently a first-team physiotherapist at Burnley FC. He also looks back his fondest memories and the players he crossed paths with.

Myerscough Basketball committed to help strengthen junior basketball in the region by forming a U14 Boys team to give young athletes an opportunity to see more court time alongside their current club formats. Shaun Hoyle, who was appointed U14 Boys coach, joins the podcast to about his coaching journey and the initial aims for the programme.

Rayon Brown drops by to chat all things Myerscough Basketball, including who he believes is the best team in the Academy's history (so far). He also names his all-time Sco teammates team and dishes out on the celebrities he's bumped into while working at Harrods.

Former Myerscough Basketball Academy S&C coach Alex Hodgson joins the show to chat about his six-year journey with the programme and how he is adapting to his new job at UCLan. Alex also reveals who he thinks were some of the strongest and most athletic players to pass through Academy doors.

Myerscough alum James Harvey, who was part of the first class, joins the podcast to talk about what convinced him to take a flyer on a new Academy, why he developed a love for fitness and how he’s built a successful fitness business.

Myerscough alum Bradley Fisher takes us on the winding road from teenage Chorley fame to his current role within the healthcare system in the United States. "The Biggest Fishy" also tells us about the time he crossed paths with Steph Curry and what it was like to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Jahlil Okafor and more.

Joseph Bankole had a less than conventional route into the sport of basketball, but his drive has helped him become one of the top 50 junior prospects in Britain. He shares the lessons he's learned along his journey, how he ended up at Myerscough and some of his best stories from Year 1 in Preston.

The script flips as regular host Allen Gunn becomes the interviewee as Myerscough Basketball Academy architect Neal Hopkins takes the reigns. Neal learns how Allen ended up on this side of the Atlantic, how his love of sport developed and more.

Drexel Men’s Basketball starting forward and Myerscough Basketball alum Mate Okros joins Allen Gunn to talk about the ups and downs of being a NCAA Division I athlete, as well as recap some of the freshman highlights, what he hopes to accomplish in Year 2 and teaming up with Amari Williams again.

It took patience and a late-night viewing of a David Olusoga documentary, but Myerscough alum Caine Lewin-Turner found his calling in studying history and is pursuing that path to the fullest as both a scholar and an activist.

Neal "El Jefe" Hopkins finally joins Allen to talk about Myerscough Basketball Academy's early days, the standout moments, why some cheeses are dangerous and his secret to becoming a MABL superstar.

A (student union) president, a lettings negotiator and a legal administrator. Emmanuel Kabengele, Alex Roberts and Cian Hickey all had their own reasons to forgo the American basketball dream and pursue degrees at prestigious universities based in England, carving their own paths in the process.

The road isn’t always easy for a student-athlete, full stop. Mikey Irvine and Myerscough alum Kiko Stavrev and Zion Tordoff join SCO: The Podcast to share how they overcome their own personal obstacles and challenges throughout their development on the way to success.

It's a Scottish flavour as Allen welcomes a panel of guests hailing from north of the border, including Celina Eisenhardt, Myerscough alum Callan Low and the McGlasson Family. Lewis is joined by his parents (Christine and Les) to talk about how he exchanged the beaches of Spain for a basketball academy in Bilsborrow.

In what was either a good decision or a bad one, Allen Gunn invites Myerscough Basketball Academy coaches Troy Culley (Division 3), Mike Bernard (Women) and Lewis Scott (Under-18s) onto the show to get the trio to dish out their best stories — and to talk basketball, obviously.

Episode 3 of SCO: The Podcast looks back at the historic season Myerscough Basketball had by becoming the first-ever British basketball team at any level to win a season-long European competition. Allen Gunn is joined by Sam Chigbo before sharing a round-table discussion with Bradley Kaboza and Amari Williams. Alumni, current players and coaching staff close the show by recalling their favourite memories from competing in Europe.

Episode 2 delves into the journeys of Ben Nailer, alum Edoardo Del Cadia and former coach Dan Gayle and how each utilised the platform provided by Myerscough to drive their ambitions forward. The show's host, Allen Gunn, and Coach D also reminisce about past moments that have contributed to the Academy's history.

Allen Gunn hosts the first episode of SCO: The Podcast, which gives voice to the stories of Myerscough Basketball Academy student-athletes past and present, as well as the coaching staff and those who have helped make the programme what it is. In Episode 1, Allen chats with current player Great Osobor, recent WBBL Trophy champion and alum Erin Hikin and the women's team head coach Mike Bernard.