Interview – Syndication Server

NBA trainer Joe Abunassar: ‘Being great demands more sacrifice than most are willing to make’

Joe Abunassar, a name synonymous with elite basketball training, brings nearly three decades of expertise to the game. Over his 27-year career, Joe has trained over 300 NBA players, including Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Chauncey Billups. As the …

Joe Abunassar, a name synonymous with elite basketball training, brings nearly three decades of expertise to the game. Over his 27-year career, Joe has trained over 300 NBA players, including Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Chauncey Billups.

As the founder of Impact Basketball, Joe revolutionized the field by integrating on-court skills, strength, nutrition, and mental performance into one comprehensive system.

Abunassar sat down with HoopsHype reflecting on his journey, his approach to blending drills with game readiness, the importance of building trust with players, and his plans for the future of Impact Basketball.

Tacko Fall: All I need is the right opportunity

Regarded as one of the tallest living humans at 7-foot-6, Tacko Fall played in the NBA with Boston for two seasons before a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. From there, he spent two years playing in China before signing recently with the …

Regarded as one of the tallest living humans at 7-foot-6, Tacko Fall played in the NBA with Boston for two seasons before a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. From there, he spent two years playing in China before signing recently with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL.

The big man recently recovered from a quad injury and spoke to HoopsHype about his career overseas, his thoughts on getting back into the NBA, his time training with Hakeem Olajuwon, and more.

Killian Hayes: ‘You can’t take everything off the Internet’

Killian Hayes came into the league full of promise. Drafted 7th in the shortened COVID season, Hayes was brought to Detroit to be their franchise floor general. However, after several underwhelming years, he was released back in February. Hayes is …

Killian Hayes came into the league full of promise. Drafted 7th in the shortened COVID season, Hayes was brought to Detroit to be their franchise floor general. However, after several underwhelming years, he was released back in February.

Hayes is currently with the Long Island Nets hoping to show he can still play at the NBA level, and latch on with a team soon. Following a recent practice at the G-League Showcase in Orlando, the southpaw spoke with HoopsHype about his improved shooting mechanics, what he can bring to potential teams, the online discourse against him, and more.

Lethal Shooter: ‘It pisses me off that people think I’m just an Instagram shooter’

Chris Matthews, widely known as “Lethal Shooter,” has become one of basketball’s most prominent NBA content creators and shooting coaches. He has trained NBA and WNBA stars such as Jaylen Brown, Grayson Allen, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Matthews played college basketball at Washington State and St. Bonaventure before playing professionally overseas in France, Iceland, and Canada, as well as a season in the D League (before it became the G League). He has successfully transformed his passion for shooting into a thriving career and global brand.

In an interview with HoopsHype, Matthews opened up about his journey, discussing how legendary coaches like Dick Bennett and Tony Bennett, as well as Craig Hodges, influenced him. He reflected on his transition into becoming a shooting coach and shared how his beliefs in patience and resilience were shaped by his own experiences as a basketball player.

Dru Smith Q&A: ‘There were plenty of days of frustration’

Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility. At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation with his …

Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility.

At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra‘s rotation with his defensive energy, a knack for hitting open looks, and ability to play on-or-off ball. After an impressive college career at Evansville and Missouri, he has spent the past four years bouncing between the NBA and the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (and briefly with the Long Island Nets), where he was consistently a standout performer.

In an interview with HoopsHype, Smith shared how he has been navigating his career obstacles like recovering from a torn ACL, making the most out of every chance he gets and more.

How Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells went from Division II to All-Rookie Team Candidate

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells discussed his unlikely journey from Division II to the NBA, what he’s learned from Marcus Smart, how Ja Morant has been a leader behind the scenes, the challenge of guarding the opponent’s top perimeter scorer, chasing the All-Rookie Team, and more with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

Before becoming one of the best rookies in his class, Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells bet on himself by attending Division II Sonoma State after two years as a varsity high school player with no Division I offers as doubters told him to consider a career change.

After becoming a Division II All-American, Wells transferred to Washington State, where his 3-and-D game caught the eyes of NBA talent evaluators.

Since being selected in the second round with the 39th overall pick by Memphis, Wells has become a starter on one of the NBA’s top teams and ranks second in plus-minus rating (plus-58) and third in points per game (11.5) among rookies this season.

The rookie swingman discussed his unlikely journey from Division II to the NBA and overcoming doubters, what he’s learned from Marcus Smart, how Ja Morant has been a leader behind the scenes, the challenge of guarding the opponent’s top perimeter scorer, chasing the All-Rookie Team, and more with HoopsHype.

Scoot Henderson: ‘I think we’ll pan out to be one of the top teams in the league pretty soon’

Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson discussed what to expect from Portland’s young squad in the future, learning from Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups as his coach, replacing Damian Lillard, growing as a locker room leader while also having a signature PUMA sneaker at 20 years old, what to expect from his new Scoot Zero II sneakers, and more with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson discussed what to expect from Portland’s young squad in the future, learning from Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups as his coach, replacing Damian Lillard, growing as a locker room leader while also having a signature PUMA sneaker at 20 years old, what to expect from his new Scoot Zeros II sneakers in collaboration with NBA 2K, and more with HoopsHype.

Thomas Bryant Q&A: Catching up with Heat center

The Miami Heat’s Thomas Bryant has quietly carved out a solid career as a dependable and efficient big man. Known for his ability to space the floor and provide an interior presence on defense, he is the epitome of professionalism as a role player …

The Miami Heat’s Thomas Bryant has quietly carved out a solid career as a dependable and efficient big man. Known for his ability to space the floor and provide an interior presence on defense, he is the epitome of professionalism as a role player

After a standout collegiate career at Indiana University, Bryant found his footing with the Washington Wizards, eventually earning a championship ring with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Now in Miami, whether as a key role player, a reliable backup, or a mentor, Bryant exemplifies the Heat’s culture of hard work and professionalism.

Bryant spoke with HoopsHype his experience adapting to new roles, playing alongside legends such as LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Jimmy Butler, and offering his perspective on generational talents like Victor Wembanyama.

Norman Powell: ‘I thought about quitting basketball a few times’

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell discussed how he’s become a Most Improved Player and NBA All-Star candidate after nearly quitting basketball with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto. Plus, Powell’s NBA journey, how the Clippers have transitioned without Kawhi Leonard and moved on from Paul George with his help and James Harden, how Intuit Dome has changed the organization, Steve Ballmer stories behind the scenes, and the goals behind his Understand The Grind foundation and clothing brand.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell has become a Most Improved Player of the Year and All-Star candidate in his 10th season. Yet, the California native nearly walked away from basketball before his career began.

After overcoming depression and doubts to make his dream a reality, Powell hopes to influence the next generation to chase their dreams and be an inspiration.

Powell discussed the goals behind his Understand The Grind foundation and clothing brand, his NBA journey to become a Most Improved Player and All-Star candidate, how the Clippers have transitioned without Kawhi Leonard and moved on from Paul George with his help and James Harden, how Intuit Dome has changed the organization, Steve Ballmer stories behind the scenes, and more with HoopsHype.

Draft prospect Boogie Fland: ‘When the game’s on the line, I want the ball in my hands – that’s where I thrive’

Boogie Fland, a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (No. 20 on our latest Aggregate Mock Draft), is quickly making a name for himself as a freshman under John Calipari in his first year coaching Arkansas after leaving Kentucky. Standing …

Boogie Fland, a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (No. 20 on our latest Aggregate Mock Draft), is quickly making a name for himself as a freshman under John Calipari in his first year coaching Arkansas after leaving Kentucky.

Standing at about 6-foot-2 and weighing just under 180 pounds, Fland will draw comparisons to a former Calipari-coached guard Rob Dillingham, the 8th overall pick in last year’s draft, or a little-known guard drafted out of Vanderbilt named Darius Garland.

Known for his shooting touch, poise, playmaking and his ability to thrive both on-ball and off-ball, Fland is already showcasing his potential as a future NBA guard.

Following a clutch performance against Miami, Fland spoke with HoopsHype and reflected on the start of his true freshman season, his ability to close games, his playstyle, playing in high-intensity situations early in the year and more.