The nation’s premiere grassroots basketball podcast. Ballislife’s ITP weekly podcast is a must-listen, as veteran scout and rankings compiler Ronnie Flores, event director and scout Ani Umana and 10-year pro player Chelsea Hopkins bring you unique stories on today’s up-and-coming young prospects and players from all levels.
Ep. 191 - Preseason 2024-25 FAB 50 Rankings Release Special!
On Episode 191 of Ballislife's "In The Paint Show", Chelsea Hopkins hosts a special ITP episode, the "2024-25 Preseason FAB 50 Rankings Release Show" to coincide with the release of the complete rankings on Ballislife.com.
Chelsea’s fellow ITP hosts, FAB 50 compiler Ronnie Flores and grassroots basketball expert Ani Umana, break down the preseason poll, talk "Teams on the Rise", "Teams on the Hot Seat", players to watch for 2024-25 and much more!
Chelsea goes hard "in the paint" with Ron and Ani about the evolution of high school basketball and how NIL affects the landscape. The ITP crew also taps in on how teams get ranked, the bubble clubs that just missed and the big matchups to look forward to during the 2024-25 regular season.
Ron and Ani break down the nation's best high school teams in three segments: Teams 31-50 (those looking to maintain their ranking and win section/conference titles), Teams 16-30 (those with a legitimate shot to win a state title and move into the Top 15 because of their size and/or depth) and Team 1-15 (the top FAB 50 title contenders with future D1 prospects coming off the bench and loaded national schedules).
This episode is No. 1 of season seven of the ITP Show and tips off our coverage of the 2024-25 high school basketball season around the country. This special episode compliments the detailed writeups of all 50 teams on Ballislife.com, so make sure to tune into Episode 191 from start to finish! Also make sure to check out our ITP Overtime shorts for more info, insight and behind the scenes stories!
(0:00) - Intro
(1:17) - Changing Landscape of HSBB
(6:25) - History of the FAB 50 Rankings
(9:43) - Best HSBB Teams of All-Time?!?
(18:22) - Purpose of the Rankings
(20:12) - How to Get Ranked!
(25:15) - Teams No. 31-50 Released
(29:29) Teams/Players To Watch (31-50)
(37:13) - Teams No. 16-30 Released
(48:48) - Teams/Players To Watch (16-30)
(53:16) - FAB 50 Guidelines
(58:33) - Teams No. 1-15 Released
(1:03:35) - Cam Boozer: Difference-Maker!
(1:07:48) - Teams/Players To Watch (Top 15)
(1:13:43) - All-Time Preseason No. 1's
(1:18:38) - Teams On The Rise (Top 15)
(1:21:15) - Teams on the Hot Seat (Top 15)
(1:33:44) - BUBBLE Teams Breakdown
(1:36:26) - Big FAB 50 Games
(1:40:37) - Key Preseason Content Dates
(1:43:41) - Complete Preseason FAB 50 List
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27 Aug 2024
Ep. 190 - Cooper Flagg & New Balance: Game Changer? Recruiting in NIL Era + More!
On Episode 190 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana go hard on Duke's Cooper Flagg (2024 Mr. Basketball USA) signing an endorsement deal with New Balance. Is this a turning point in legit endorsements for college and high school players? Will Flagg be successful enough for other Nike competitors to throw big money at young endorsers? Is this a sign of Nike complacency? How much pressure is there on New Balance to make the Flagg campaign successful so he remains with the company long term?
Ani goes hard on college recruiting in the NIL era. Is it all about 'the bag"? Is there any loyalty left in recruiting D1 players, or does the highest bidder win out every time? Ani dishes on how fit still matters even at the expense of taking less money. The ITP crew discusses my fit and program still matter and Ron dishes on why too many men's college basketball players are focused on the short game (fast NIL money) over the long game (more focus on fit, college degree and college network).
Chelsea and Ron also touch on how we're still early in the NIL recruiting era and how there is still a lack of concrete evidence to use to make concrete decisions on and the origins of the NIL era. After three years, many in the public space are still confused. NIL is here to stay but where did it start and its direction is what matters!
Ani and Ronnie dish on recent grassroots standouts at various events, including the Formula Zero Elite Camp, the Mamba League showcase, the Kenny Smith Lead Guard Workout and Beach City Hoops SoCal Showdown. Who were the standouts and who are the top 2028 players on the West Coast?
Noted SoCal grassroots coach Pat Barrett of the SoCal All-Stars passes at 72. We briefly talk about how he touched every segment of our current ITP pod episode and how negative exposure can sometimes fuel popularity.
The ITP Crew close the show by touching on the WNBA ROY debate and why Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are exceeding expectations. Will Clark one day be the best player in the W? Ani and Chelsea debate!
The ITP Crew goes in-depth on a variety of topics in this week's pod, so make sure to tune in to Episode 190 from start to finish! Also make sure to check out our ITP Overtime shorts for more info, insight and behind the scenes stories!
(0:00) - Intro
(1:33) - Cooper Flagg to New Balance: What It Means!
(10:45) - Recruiting in NIL Era: All Bag, No Loyalty?
(17:02) - Recruiting: Program & Fit Still Matter?
(23:10) - NIL Recruiting: Short Term Over Long Term?
(31:17) - NIL Era: Still Early in Learning Curve
(37:18) - Origins of NIL
(39:22) - Recent Grassroots Basketball Standouts
(48:14) - Top 2028s In AZ at Local Schools!
(52:47) - Pat Barrett/SoCal All-Stars History
(57:08) - WNBA ROY Race: It's Over!
(1:06:41) - Caitlin Clark: Best Player After A'ja?
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On Episode 189 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana go hard on the 2024 Olympics in Paris and pull out the crystal ball for the 2028 event in Los Angeles.
The ITP crew starts off by taking a look at boys and girls high school players to watch in 2024-25 based on recent grassroots events, including the Nike Skills Academy. Is any player on the heels of A.J. Dybansta as a prospect? Is Cam Boozer getting a fair shake are far as resume? Can Dybansta or any young player such as Duke's Cooper Flagg make the 2028 U.S. Olympic team?
Chelsea and Ani talk about their three favorite Olympic moments, which revolve around the U.S. Women's Olympic track team, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and gymnast all-time great Simone Biles. the ITP crew gives their reaction to the incredible play of Steph Curry down the stretch in the Gold Medal game vs. France. How will he and LeBron James be replaced on the 2028 team? Will Kevin Durant still be part of Team USA? How different does the roster need to be constructed in order to hold off France? Can the USA hold off the Frechmen?
Chelsea also breaks down Team USA on the women's side and dishes on why the team needs a mixture of veterans and youth for 2028. Is any country close to the USA as France is on the men's side?
The ITP Crew also gives their take on the Jayson Tatum situation? Chelsea argues for why he should played played more, Ani argues why he didn't play well and Ron argues for why he might not have been on the team if there was a tryout process. Does USA Basketball need a tryout process to continue to maintain its worldwide dominance?
Chelsea dishes on her personal experience at Cavs-Warriors NBA Finals and how this Olympic experience compares. With Curry and James not likely to be on the team in 2028, who will be the three most crucial pieces?
The ITP Crew closes with their upcoming grassroots schedule as the fall nears and we head towards the new 2024-25 season and presidential election.
The ITP Crew goes in-depth on a variety of Olympic-related topics in this week's pod, so make sure to tune in to Episode 189 from start to finish! Also make sure to check out our ITP Overtime shorts for more info, insight and behind the scenes stories!
(0:00) - Intro
(2:50) - HS Kids To Look Forward To in 2024-25
(8:30) - What HS Players Pushing AJ Dybansta?
(12:31) - Cam Boozer: Is It Never Enough?
(18:21) - Chelsea's 3 Fav Olympic Moments
(22:10) - Ani's 3 Fav Olympic Moments
(28:06) - Ron's' 3 Fav Olympic Moments
(32:39) - USA Basketball: Can We Hold Off France?
(43:35) - USA Women's: Will Dominance Continue?
(49:40) - Jayson Tatum: More PT? Why On Team?
(56:17) - Steph-LeBron: How Big Was That Moment?
(58:21) - 3 Most Crucial USA 2028 Players
(1:08:24) - Grassroots: Upcoming Events!
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