Norense Odiase has become one of the most motivational & inspirational creators on the internet. Growing an audience of over 300 thousand followers across platforms, Norense has quite literally spoken life into hundreds and thousands of people through his voice.

Norense is a man who speaks such life into others, but many don't know the unimaginable tragedy he overcame while on his way to a National Championship appearance while a student-athlete at Texas Tech.

Andrew and Norense unpack how a faith that surpasses all understanding has been the only thing that has carried them both through unfathomable loss in both of their lives.

We reminisce on that infamous Texas Tech Vs. Virginia national championship game that gave us one of the best finals in the last decade!

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to the show so you don't miss this conversation! It will be one that will change you for the better!

Tyler Perry is one of the most influential black film makers in the industry. From feature films, to classic characters, he's helped mold black culture in so many ways. Thus , for a black former athlete turned actor to get his fist break in the industry on the set of a Tyler Perry production , it only speaks further to how sometimes, you can never predict the full circle moment that could change your life!

Duby Maduegbunam joined the show to discuss his transition from hoops to. acting, and the small steps along the way that helped him get there. From Tyler Perry productions, to bringing to like "Shep" the legendary antagonist on NBA 2K, Duby's journey as an actor has been nothing short of amazing!

We get into the intricacies of navigating such a competitive industry, doing so in Los Angeles where the challenges are many, and how to find community while on the climb to success.

This is a conversation you won't want to miss! So be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single moment!

Isaiah Eisendorf went from having zero college scholarship offers, and almost giving up basketball completely to play football, to an elite eight appearance in the NCAAT Tournament, multiple conference championships, and a 7 year pro career and counting!

If you're someone who has ever felt overlooked, or underrated, this is the conversation for you!

Andrew & Isaiah discuss the ups and downs of pursuing a professional basketball career, including perhaps the toughest, and most difficult part, figuring out what you're going to do once it's all over!

The What's In Your Bag Podcast is back for season 3 with a new studio, new guests, but the same inspiring stories that you've been accustomed to hearing! So like, comment and subscribe so you don't miss anything from the best season of WIYB yet!

Would you move across the country to sleep on a couch at 17 years old to chase a dream? Because that's what Austin Mason did in order to pursue his dreams of becoming an NBA agent.

We sat down with the New Jersey native to discuss his insane journey that has taken him through a career in Las Vegas nightlife, the mailroom at CAA and now a manager in brand relations for Excel Basketball.

If you're someone who wants to be a sports agent, is curious about brand building, or looking for tips to build relationships, then make sure you tune into this episode, and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more conversations just like this one!

Keandre Cook has had one of the most unconventional routes to the pros that you'll see in a long time. From only playing three years of AAU, attending junior college before earning a Division One scholarship, and dealing with a global pandemic as a senior, Keandre has most certainly taken the road less traveled to get to where he is today.

We caught up with the Baltimore native to discuss his journey that's taken him from a local standout, all the way to the NBA hardwood, and now to one of the best leagues in the world outside of America, the Australian NBL.

We touch on the early days in the city, including a transfer to Edmondson-Westside High School that catapulted his career to new heights. We then reflect on the grind that is JUCO basketball that prepared him for the stardom he would soon walk into at Missouri State University as a junior and senior.

We finish the episode with a good old fashion draft segment around international basketball that will surely leave you running to the group chat afterwards to state your case!

Make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and tell a friend to tell a friend so you don't miss any more conversations just like this one to come!

Matt Bonds just wrapped up a legendary three year run with the Nagasaki Velca that saw them go from a team in Japan's third division, to a team firmly in the mix in the top league in Japan in only two years. A feat that included an MVP season, and back to back promotions along the way!

Bonds unpacks what those three years in Nagasaki meant to his career, and how it has prepared him for his new beginning with the Osaka Evessa in Japan's B1. Matt also shares what he's most looking forward to about playing in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, and unofficial food capital of the country!

We get into what has contributed to Matt's success as an undersized big, standing at roughly 6'5, Bonds has always played much bigger than he is, and the same tenacity that allowed him to grab over 1100 rebounds over his four year career in college, is the same tenacity that has allowed him to carve out an 8 year professional career that has spanned over three different countries overseas.

For all of our #DMVHoops fans, Matt takes us back to that legendary state championship run at North Point high school alongside Marquise Wright, that included a 27-0 season and upset victory in the state title game over American high school LEGEND Aquille "The Crimestopper" Carr!

This is an episode that will leave you feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to attach whatever obstacle comes your way! Make sure to like, comment and subscribe to our channel for more conversations just like this one!

Ike Udanoh, or "Keasy" as most of us have come to know him as, is one of the more unique players in European basketball. And not for the reason's that you would probably assume.

Keasy has experienced one of the most improbable journey's to get to where he's at today, that included stints living on an army base in Germany, Sleeping in a train station in Detroit in between jobs, and selling his car to pay his own way for a flight to Europe to give his dream a chance.

For most people, experiencing one of these, let alone three of them, would cause someone to quit, and pivot to something more stable, with less volatility. But reflecting back on the journey 13 years later, multiple six figure seasons in the rearview mirror, it's clear that it all worked out for the better.

We go in depth on all the trials, tribulations, and overcoming that it took to get to this point in his career, and Keasy also shares some advice that will change your perspective on how to face adversity, no matter what field your in!

However, we couldn't forget about the other aspect of Keasy's life that also makes him unique, his social media presence that began on YouTube, and has since grew to instagram and TikTok as well, that has made him one of the most recognizable athlete creators on the internet!

We get into growing this brand in the midst of a high level basketball career, and how athletes can replicate this in there own lives today!

This is an episode full of great perspective, advice, and inspiration that will surely change your mindset on how to approach challenges and road blocks in your own life. So make sure you like comment, and subscribe to the channel, so you don't miss anymore episodes like this one!

Yonathan Napoleon grew up in Los Angeles, California, and like many other 90's babies, grew up a Lakers fan with hoop dreams. Those hoop dreams eventually turned into an opportunity to play professional basketball in London. A lifelong dream fulfilled, and a future career with endless potential was on the horizon, right?

Well the pandemic of 2020 changed all of that, and forced Yon to pivot into the next chapter of his life, one that has landed him at Excel Sports Management, one of the leading talent and marketing agencies in the world, in pursuit of becoming an NBA agent.

We caught up with Yon to discuss his transition from playing, to his role now behind the scenes, trying to work his way up in an industry that's often described as cutthroat, and very transactional.

Yon shares some of the most important nuggets he's picked up along the way, such as the importance of building genuine relationships, putting aside your ego to ask for help, and not being afraid of rejection. All of which are things that have contributed to him being in the position he's in today, staring his dreams in the face while on the precipice of the breakthrough that could change everything.

So get your noted out for this one! Because this conversation was full of perspective that could help take you to the next level, no matter what industry you're in.

Don't forget to like, comment, and tell a friend to tell a friend about what's going on here at the What's In Your Bag Podcast!