The day is finally here and basketball is back in Toronto! We're celebrating the NBA's 75th birthday and Wendy's first trip to a Raptor's game not as a visitor but as a Raptor mom. Wendy is joined by Tidal League's CEO & Founder Kurt Benson to discuss it all. We also tease what we will be doing in Toronto as we record a very special Toronto Raptor's episode at the OVO Athletic Centre. Go Raptors!
Dwyane Wade 3x NBA Champion, 13-time NBA All-Star, 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and Olympic Gold Medalist - the list of accolades is endless. Widely considered as one of the best guards to ever play the game, he is a future Hall of Famer. Jolinda give us a completely different perspective of who Dwyane is from "moms" eyes. The man he's become and how proud she is of him. Words from Dwyane that stuck with Jolinda "we don't live in a perfect world, but we can create perfect moments." to this...
Welcome Michelle Reed! We hear about Paul’s early beginnings from the onset, all Paul knew was basketball from the earliest memories of him at 3 years old watching his dad practice. His first organized basketball experiences he dominated as if he was a man amongst boys. The costs associated with sports and the investment a parent makes both time and financial. College recruitment and the ultimate deciding factor with DePaul in the Big East and the time spent working on his craft to prepare him f...
Diamond DeShields of the Chicago Sky was competitive from birth and had her older brother pushing her to excel. Coming from an athletic family she was naturally gifted with skill and passion. From her early love of baseball and tennis she moved to basketball at the age of 10 and excelled right from the jump. Diamond’s goal and vision is to make a real impact for the next generation of young girls. We hear what it was like raising two professional athletes and the challenges that came along the w...
Fun facts with Melissa Pritchard we hear about Payton's favourite meal and more.
Melissa Pritchard talks about the amazing journey with her son, Boston Celtic Guard, Payton. From NBA Draft Night to learning from Kemba Walker and the entire Celtics organization; to his rituals, including his personal journal, we get an inside look into the life of the young rookie. We hear why his dad can't watch him shoot free throws and learn what the road ahead has in store.
With the script flipped we hear from our very own Court-side mom today in this special episode. Wendy talks us through the moment she knew Khem was signing with the Toronto Raptors to the events that followed. All the emotions, feeling, and support that she has felt. Officially dubbed the Raptor Mom from Raptor nation and having the torch passed from Kyle Lowry's mom Marie Hollaway. Wendy then answers the questions from the fans and gives us some insight of what to expect in the future.
WNBA star Megan Walker, picked up a basketball at the age of 5 and her mom Johnetta knew in that moment, basketball was her game. She enrolled Megan in a peewee league where she quickly outplayed both the boys and the other girls. Starting in 7th grade, Megan was in demand by college recruiters. Johnetta speaks on how she and the family looked at how decisions should be made and handling the stress along the way. Johnetta talks about the players who mentored Megan throughout the years, and what ...
In today’s episode of Court-Side Moms, we welcome Tanya Powell-May, mother of Memphis Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman! She tells us about his early beginnings as an athlete, what eventually led him to play for Tom Izzo at Michigan State, and all of his experiences playing college ball in his home state. She walks us through their COVID-19 NBA Draft experience, how basketball helped shape Xavier as a father and husband, and how proud she is of his progress as a man in overcoming adversity along ...
In today’s episode of Court-Side Moms, we welcome Rochelle Johnson, mother of Team USA Olympian & San Antonio Spurs wing Keldon Johnson! She tells us all about the early days of Keldon’s basketball career, from the first time he picked up a ball, to his time at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, and the stressful recruiting period that brought him to the Kentucky Wildcats. She walks us through Keldon’s decision to leave Kentucky after one year, the emotions she had leading up to the NBA Draft, an...
Our guest today has been described as one of the best basketball players the state of Iowa has ever seen. Even with an outstanding career as her legacy, Kristi Hayes believes being the mom of NBA star Jaxson Hayes is the true miracle of her life. At age 22 she survived ovarian cancer and wondered if she would ever be able to have children. Drafted 8th Overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Kristi describes Jaxson’s journey as a Cinderella story and tells us about the unlikely path h...
Our guest today has juggled many roles including the wife of former Utah Senator Al Jackson, mentor to moms everywhere on how to be leaders in their own home, and mother to Detroit Pistons point guard Frank Jackson. Juleen Jackson has many great stories to tell and Wendy digs in to learn more about her life, the journey her family has been on, the impact on their family as Frank made his way to the NBA, and who her son is both on and off the basketball court. From his decision to play college ba...
In 2015, Jewell Loyd was drafted 1st Overall by the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and has never looked back. Her numerous awards include two WNBA championships (2018, 2020), Rookie of the Year (2015) and she’s a two-time WNBA All-Star. One of her biggest fans is her mom, Gwendolyn Loyd and Jewell has been known to say she sees the glitter before she sees her mom walk into the room. Today on Court-Side Moms, we are joined by Gwendolyn and her glitter shines throughout the show. Gwendolyn takes us thr...
From age 10, Jasmine Thomas of the Connecticut Sun excelled at the game of basketball. Today her mom, Sharon Thomas, joins us to share her daughter’s story. We talk about the experience of college recruitment, playing for the Duke Blue Devils, and being drafted 12the overall in 2011 by the Seattle Storm. Prior to her rookie year, she was traded to Washington, playing for the Mystics, the Atlanta Dream, and Connecticut where she’s been since 2015. We hear about the basketball journey that has tak...
Our guest today, Lolita Ariza, mother of NBA veteran, Trevor Ariza, joins the show to talk about her son’s journey through the NBA. She tells us about the first time Trevor picked up a basketball, why he chose UCLA during his college recruitment and takes us through a number of his stops around the NBA. She tells us why he doesn’t get enough credit for his play during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2008-09 Championship run. We talk about how she prioritized her and her son’s careers, and why she’s alwa...
We The North! Raptor fans tap in with Freddie Gillespie's mom, Alberder Gillespie on Locker Room App!
It’s been said that Toronto Raptor Freddie Gillespie did the impossible going from Division III basketball to the NBA. His mom, Alberder Gillespie, says it’s all about faith, and today she joins Court-Side Moms to tell us about his incredible journey, her belief in her son, and his future in the NBA. Freddie began as a football player, falling in love with basketball in junior high. Starting out in Division III ball at Carleton, his determination and talent led him to Baylor College and Alberder...
Our guest today, Lynnita Bazley, mother of Darius Bazley, forward with the Oklahoma City Thunder, joins the show to talk about her son’s unorthodox journey to the NBA, including a decision to pursue the NBA G League instead of college, and an internship with one of the most iconic shoe brands, New Balance. She talks about the first time Darius picked up a basketball and how that turned into a realization that he could one day turn professional. She takes us through Darius’ abnormal career path, ...
Pregnant at 19, our guest today, Tyneeha Rivers, mother of Mikal Bridges, starting guard with the Phoenix Suns, talks about what it was like to face motherhood at such a young age, how her determination to be a success changed her life and what she’s done to ensure her son had what it took to also be successful, overcoming the negativity and the challenges to rise to the top in the world of elite athletes. As a Chief Human Resources officer for over 20 years, her focus now is player recruitment ...
Today we are joined by Cecelia Powers, mom of WNBA star Aerial Powers of the Minnesota Lynx. From age 3, Aerial had a passion for basketball and success has followed her throughout her career. She led her high school, Detroit Country Day, to four consecutive regional championships, had an outstanding college career playing for the Spartans at Michigan State University, and was chosen by the Dallas Wings as the fifth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. Throughout it all, Cecelia talks about the ...
When our guest today’s son, Orlando Magic shooting guard Gary Harris, was 9 years old he had a sign in his bedroom that said “What did you do to make it to the NBA today?”. Former WNBA player Joy Harris joins our podcast and tells us how this inspiration led Gary on his journey to the NBA and we talk about her own basketball career and what it’s been like having her son follow in her footsteps. Athletics are in his genes and Gary excelled in both football and basketball. Joy shares with us how t...
Today we are joined by Stephanie Dinwiddie, mom of Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets point guard. At 18 months old, Spencer’s favorite toy was a Barney basketball net that chimed each time the ball went in. The chimes have never stopped ringing for Spencer and Stephanie shares stories of his journey. After a great high school career at William Howard Taft High School, he chose to play college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes which Stephanie describes as one of the most joyful and fun times d...
We the North! Raptor fans tap in with Kyle Lowry's mom, Marie Hollaway on Locker Room App!
Today we are excited to be joined by Marie Hollaway, mother of six-time NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold medalist, NBA champion, and Raptor star, Kyle Lowry. Small by basketball standards, Kyle always did what he had to do to succeed in the sport he loved. In a career filled with highs, Marie talks about the behind-the-scenes events that helped shape Kyle’s NBA journey from a young age, through to draft night where he was selected as a 1st round pick by the Memphis Grizzlies and his incredible time in...
Fans tap in with Knicks star Julius Randle's mom, Carolyn Kyles on Locker Room App!
During a recent NBA game between the Knicks and the Golden State Warriors, our guest today sent her son, New York Knicks star Julius Randle, a surprise message on the screen at Madison Square Gardens congratulating him on being a first time NBA All Star. Carolyn Kyles is that kind of mom and we get to learn all about her on today’s podcast. Julius always loved basketball and could often be found dribbling around the house and clinging to his ball. Carolyn recognized early on her son’s talent and...
Fans tap in with Kyle Anderson's mom Suzanne Anderson on Locker Room App
Today we are joined by Suzanne Anderson, mom of Memphis Grizzlies NBA star Kyle Anderson. At 18 months old, Kyle was already shooting balls into his Little Tikes Basketball Net and his mom tells us how worried she was because he wasn’t interested in anything else. Needless to say, Suzanne realized early on his fascination with the game would lead to an incredible journey beginning with his high school career where he received national recognition as a Parade All-American, McDonald’s All-American...
With the signing of her son Khem, to Toronto this past week, Wendy has now become a Raptors’ Mom. On this week’s episode Wendy is joined by fellow Raptor Mom, and friend, Sue Danforth, mother to Fred VanVleet. In a Q&A discussion conducted on Locker Room, Wendy and Sue discuss what this move to Toronto means for Khem, what Wendy can expect from “her” new team and what playing for his home country team means from Khem, a move that reunites him with his team Canada coach Nick Nurse. Tune in fo...
Fans tap in with Sydney, Nia, & Amir Coffey's mom, Sheba Coffey on Locker Room App
