OLLU men’s basketball head coach and founder of The Basketball Embassy Chris Dial recently launched his podcast “United We Hoop.”
The podcast features a diverse group of guests who all have a connection to basketball. The first episode included Dial and Dr. Emir Turam of the Turkish Basketball Federation and was released on Dec. 7.
“’United We Hoop’ podcast is a collection of conversations among like-minded basketball enthusiasts who see power in a game capable of developing community and empowering humanity,” Dial said. “I hope to bring over a decade of international experiences together to help create an appropriate narrative behind The Basketball Embassy. People from all walks of life should find relevance in the exchanges presented in the first season.”
Future episodes will include San Antonio Spurs Sports and Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford, former WNBA player Chinny Nwabgo, USA Basketball’s Coach Don Showalter and more. The guests incorporate their personal stories and perspectives with Dial that pertain to the current state of basketball.
The Basketball Embassy unites people from different backgrounds and is a nonprofit organization. They currently run three programs and a variety of services that aim to provide basketball players and coaches across nations and cultures with a platform for success. Youth Ambassadors is a program that aims to reach disadvantaged youth with life lessons while on the basketball court. The Basketball Embassy also features a workshop series that supplements existing basketball education year-round.
The flagship event, called Assembly, unites international and domestic athletes and coaches while helping them reach their greatest potential on the court and in life. The leadership team at The Basketball Embassy includes coaches from North America, Europe, Central and South America and Asia.
Dial enters his third year as head coach for the Saints and leads a team that features 13 seniors. OLLU will open the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) schedule against the University of the Southwest on Jan. 4.