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Rating

★★★★★

4.7

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36 reviews

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I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history. I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And starting then, I just couldn’t get enough of this amazing game. And the purpose of this podcast and blog is to bring back some of the old stories from basketball’s history. I want to bring you a new story each week from the older days of basketball before there were 22 cameras and instant highlights on your device. Of course, any story from anywhere in basketball history is up for grabs. But I want the focus to be on those stories that are interesting and impactful but long forgotten. I’ll be covering stories going all the way back to the invention of the game in the 1890s, to the barnstorming days of basketball in the 1920s and 30s, to the creation of the current NBA in the 1940s and beyond. So, if you love basketball as much as I do, or you just want to hear a few stories from basketball’s past, then go ahead and subscribe to the podcast and come back to this blog to hear or read a new story each week. For me, this is a labor of love as I get to work with my older son, Jacob Loayza, who serves as my editor and producer. Until next time…

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Check latest episodes from Basketball History 101 podcast

Episode 293 - Oscar Schmidt

2026/04/21

For decades Oscar Schmidt was the greatest scorer in basketball history, amassing over 49,000 points for club and country. He played for 29 years at the professional level. For many years he was considered the best player in the world outside the NBA. So why did he never join the NBA? Today, we answer that question and more. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Brazilian Samba" by Benjamin Tissot "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 292 - Charles "Tarzan" Cooper

2026/03/31

Charles “Tarzan” Cooper was the best center of the 1930s. He was only 6'3, but a hundred years ago that meant you were a big man. He played the center position like few others and scored almost at will. He also helped lead his team to the 1939 World Basketball Championship, an integrated tournament that brought in the best teams around. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Upbeat Jazz Music I New York, 1924" by Ross Bugden "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 291 - Team USA vs. the NBA All-Stars

2026/03/24

The 1984 Olympic Team played eight exhibition games against a team of NBA All-Stars to prepare for the LA Olympics. The Olympic team, made up of college amateurs, won all eight games. The NBA All-Star team included players like Magic, Isiah, Bird, and McHale. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Take Care" by Julian Avila "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 290 - The Reign Man

2026/03/17

Shawn Kemp should be in the Hall of Fame, if only his prime years could have lasted longer. He was unstoppable in the open court, but weight issues derailed his career when he should have been at his peak. This is the story of the Reign Man. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 289 - How Julius Became "The Doctor"

2026/03/10

Julius Erving is better known as Dr. J, or just The Doctor. But where did that nickname come from? We answer that in today’s episode. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 288 - Connie Hawkins: An Interview with Bo Belanger

2026/03/03

Connie Hawkins has a fascinating story of initially being banned by the NBA and later suing the league to be allowed to play. And it all started with a simple loan he took from gambler, Jack Molinas. We interview Bo Belanger about his new podcast series “Connie & Jack: A Rigged Game”. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 287 - David Robinson's High School Years

2026/02/24

David Robinson was an incredibly gifted student who had walked away from basketball at the age of 13 to focus on his studies and playing the saxophone. However, three years later the basketball coach at his high school convinced him to try out for the team. And just five years after that Robinson was the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Take Care" by Julian Avila "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 286 - Mike D'Antoni's Italian Adventure

2026/02/17

Mike D’Antoni grew up in West Virginia with a dream of someday playing in the NBA. He achieved his dream by playing with the Kings. But he was out of the NBA in only three years. Then he had a chance to play in Italy where he became a superstar for Olimpia Milano. This is the story of his Italian adventure. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "" by "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 285 - Magic Johnson to the Kings

2026/02/10

In 1978 Magic Johnson nearly left college early to go to the NBA. The Kansas City Kings were ready to take him with the 2nd pick in the draft. So what led to him waiting until 1979 before leaving for the NBA? That’s what today’s episode is all about. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 284 - Max Zaslofsky

2026/02/03

Max Zaslofsky led the NBA in scoring during the second season of the league in 1947-48. He put the Chicago Stags on the basketball map. Later he led the Knicks to three straight NBA Finals. He was one of the greatest players from the early years of the league. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 283 - Thump & Bump

2026/01/27

Thump & Bump was one of the most obscure duos of NBA basketball. It was a short lived era for the Philadelphia 76ers featuring Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn. They never came close to a title, but they were fun to watch. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 282 - The Rebound

2026/01/20

Prior to 1950 the NBA did not even keep records of rebounds. Why was it not considered worthy of tracking? Why was the rebound under appreciated? We try to answer that question in this episode. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 281 - Learning the Skyhook

2026/01/06

The Sky Hook is arguably the most famous shot in NBA history. But how did Kareem Abdul-Jabber learn it in the first place? That is our story for today. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by Mokka Music "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 280 - The NBA Territorial Pick

2025/12/30

From 1949 until 1965, the NBA employed the concept of the Territorial Draft Pick, which allowed team to automatically take a player that played their university basketball within 50 miles of the NBA team’s arena. It allowed college superstars to play locally where their fans could see them play in the NBA. It made sense at the time. Join us as we take a look back. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Episode 279 - The First Game REDUX || Ep. 177 Re-Air

2025/12/23

For this Christmas week episode, we're re-airing Episode 177 from January 2, 2024. We had done a redux of our very first episode, telling the story of basketball's first game, and if you missed it then, this is our present to you now! From all of us here at BBH.101, we wish you a very merry Christmas! CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOK m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACT [email protected]

Podcast reviews

Read Basketball History 101 podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

36 reviews

★★★★★

🐐😀😎 2025/11/23

Love it

I listen to every new episode can’t get enough of this podcast!

★★☆☆☆

PLEASE UPLOAD MORE!!!! 2026/02/11

Inconsistent

I used to listen to this podcast a lot but he’s been getting more and more inconsistent

★★★★★

Sarebear328 2025/06/05

Best best BEST ever

This is the best basketball podcast ever!!!!!

★★★★★

Liam Conor Francis 2023/04/24

Fun for whole family

This 40 year old loves the show, but the real superfans are my first and second grade boys who are OBSESSED. Such a fun and informative way to learn ...

★★★★★

ole Dute 2023/04/24

Love this podcast

Well produced, very palatable speaking voice. Great stories about basketball. I enjoy it very much. Thanks.

★★★★★

ChatBLT 2022/11/04

I am ten and love this.

Good job. I’m writing this, November 2022. I will be starting basketball in January 2023. I don’t want to be a noob so I decided to start to study bas...

★★★★★

Rage Against The Meatchine 2022/02/15

Great Basketball Podcast

Rick has a great voice for podcast/radio. The topic is fun and light, and just the right length. I listen at work and it’s a nice way to pass the time...

★★★★★

EZfoot1879 2020/08/15

One episode and I’m hooked!!

As a fan of the game, the concept of this podcast has me hooked. I am looking forward to future episodes. Rick is well spoken and keeps the listener ...

★★★★★

Self-Employed 2020/08/14

Best Basketball Podcast

This is hands down the best basketball podcast I have ever heard.

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