The Reverse Pivot

Episode 37 - Al Westover

Al Westover a prolific basketball coach with 1500 games under his belt. He is best known for leading the Melbourne Tigers to two NBL championships (2006 and 2008) after succeeding Lindsay Gaze as head coach (where he also won two championships as assistant coach). Westover also had a successful three-year coaching stint in Japan, taking the Shiga Lakestars to their first-ever playoff appearance. Al is currently running the basketball program at Box Hill Senior Secondary, which has a track record of producing NBA players.
Bruce and Steve take a deep dive into his career and ask about the current state of the NBL.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 36 - Mike Dunlap

The Reverse Pivot with special guest: coach Mike Dunlap.
Mike Dunlap is the head coach of Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team. A veteran coach with success in the NBA, NCAA, and Australia’s NBL, Mike adds an NBA championship with Milwaukee in 2021 to his decorated career.
Mike discusses his career and what makes for good basketball culture in the latest episode.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 35 - David Claxton

David Claxton joins Bruce Palmer and Steve McLeod for another episode of The Reverse Pivot.
For over more than 40 years in the game, Dave has significantly contributed to the development of basketball in Queensland and nationally. His roles included state and national team coach including the Australian Boomers, alongside the Brisbane Bullets, Gold Coast Rollers and Adelaide 36ers. David was instrumental in bringing the NBL back to the Gold Coast as the General Manager of the Gold Coast Blaze. He also was responsible for bringing Leroy Loggins to the Brisbane Bullets. 
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 34 - Tom Maher

Tom Maher joins The Reverse Pivot to chat about basketball coaching.
Tom Maher is one of the most successful coaches in international women's basketball, having led teams at six Olympic Games and securing a bronze medal with the Australian Opals in 1996. Renowned for his tactical acumen and ability to transform teams, he has also coached national squads in China and New Zealand, leaving a lasting global legacy in the sport.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 33 - Shane Froling

Basketball legend Shane Froling joins Bruce and Steve to talk about his career and family in the Australian basketball scene. 
Shane Froling is a former NBL player who competed with teams including the Eastside Spectres, Hobart Devils, Brisbane Bullets and Townsville Suns throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. A versatile forward and respected figure in Australian basketball, he went on to coach at various levels, including with the Townsville Heat and Crocodiles. Shane is married to former WNBL star Jenny Froling , and together they’ve raised a remarkable basketball family—daughters Alicia and Keely have both played professionally in the WNBL, while sons Harry and Sam have forged successful careers in the NBL.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 32 - Max Mackinnon

Rising basketball star Max Mackinnon joins the podcast to talk about the early stages of his career.
Max is the son of NBL player and current coach Sam Mackinnon. Bruce and Steve dive into his work ethic and his time playing at Louisiana State University.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.
 

Episode 31 - Brian Goorjian

Brian Goorjian is an Australian Basketball Hall of Fame recipient with six NBL championships to his name (including three in a row). Brian is set to join the coaching staff for the New York Knicks summer league, which builds upon decades of coaching at an elite level in both Australia and China; including leading the Boomers in the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2020 and 2024. Brian Goorjian is currently the head coach of the Sydney Kings.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 30 - Mick Downer

Mick Downer joins Bruce Palmer and Steve McLeod for the latest episode of The Reverse Pivot. 
Mick is an internationally experienced and FIBA accredited coach with over 20 years of professional coaching and management roles in high performance organisations, amateur and professional sports clubs. In the NBL he has coached the Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats. He has also been an Assistant Coach for the Boomers in the 2016 Olympics, and lead teams in Japan. Mick talks about his career and what he looks for in Basketball players.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 29 - Brayden Heslehurst

The Reverse Pivot welcomes established basketball coach, journalist and producer Brayden Heslehurst to the podcast.
Brayden has had an accomplished career in basketball and is very enthusiastic about the game. He is the winner of the inaugural NBL1 championship in 2021, a two time medal winner representing QLD and head coach of the QLD Women. He is also an athlete mentor and basketball shooting coach at Assist Athletic Services and the head of editorial content for basketball.com.au. Braydney sits down with Bruce and Steve to talk QLD basketball, his career and give input on the latest news in the NBL.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Episode 28 - Tiana Mangakahia

Brisbane basketball player Tiana Mangakahia joins The Reverse Pivot to talk about her career.
Tiana is a player for the Southern Districts Spartans of the NBL1 North. She began her career with two seasons in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) before playing college basketball in the United States for Syracuse University between 2017 and 2021. After a season in Russia, Mangakahia returned to the WNBL in 2022 but then retired in 2023 due to breast cancer. She was back on the court within a year after treatment but has since undergone more treatment while playing. Tiana talks about her health journey while still playing basketball.
The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.