In this installment of the Athletes and Athletics series, I sit down with newly named Purdue Northwest Head Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton. From suiting up as a Division 1 player to stepping into head coaching roles at William Woods and now PNW, Coach Ashton has lived every side of the game. We dive into his journey through college hoops, the lessons he’s carried from the court to the clipboard, and how he plans to build a winning culture from the ground up. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone trying to level up in life.

On this episode of Mike on Mic, I sit down with Davis Walker, Jamestown University Guard, who built his career off pure determination. Davis was home-schooled through high school, started his college journey at Maryville, and is now making his mark on the court at Jamestown.

But the path hasn’t been easy. After suffering a torn Achilles, Davis had to fight his way back, mentally and physically. We talk about the rehab process, staying motivated through setbacks, and what it really means to believe in yourself when nobody’s watching.

In this episode of Mike on Mic, I sit down with my guy Sam Franklin. One of the top basketball minds in Illinois. From running elite training sessions to coaching high school ball, Sam’s been grinding since 2018.

We get into his journey, how he started from scratch, built his name up one workout at a time, and what it takes to develop talent at every level. We also talk about coaching, the pressure of summer ball, building trust with players, and what separates the good from the great.

Whether you’re a hooper, coach, or just love the grind, this one’s for you.