Basketball History 101 Podcast By Rick Loayza cover art

Basketball History 101

Basketball History 101

By: Rick Loayza
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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…Rick Loayza Basketball World
Episodes
  • Episode 291 - Team USA vs. the NBA All-Stars

    Episode 291 - Team USA vs. the NBA All-Stars
    Mar 24 2026

    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

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • Episode 290 - The Reign Man

    Episode 290 - The Reign Man
    Mar 17 2026

    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

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    17 mins
  • Episode 289 - How Julius Became "The Doctor"

    Episode 289 - How Julius Became "The Doctor"
    Mar 10 2026

    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

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
All stars
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Some really good history here...love it!...look forward to more stories...hope they keep it up...makes me enjoy the game more.

Good Stuff!

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I love that he has witnessed some of the history so he gives a better picture of what he is talking about. Another reason that I love this podcast is that each episode is so interesting. A third reason why I love this podcast is that I’m learning new facts about basketball every episode. In conclusion, this is why I love this podcast.

Love this podcast!

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