MVP Cast with Mark Woods

The Shanice Beckford-Norton One

London Lions guard Shanice Beckford-Norton joins the MVP Cast.
She tells Mark Woods about the culture of the WBBL leaders as they chase a domestic clean sweep and her relentless drive for self-improvement. The Great Britain international reveals the importance of family influences amid her journey through basketball and talks about her role as a coach and the impact it has. More at mvp247.com

The Caylin Raftopoulos One

Surrey Scorchers guard Caylin Raftopoulos joins the MVP Cast.
He tells Mark Woods about his dual identity as a Zimbabwean-Brit and the complications he found in trying his luck in the USA as a teen.
He reveals his plans to retire from playing to focus fully on building a basketball academy and dealing with Surrey's struggles in the BBL this season.
And he talks us through how he dealt with depression that put on the floor - and the importance of talking out when he was struggling. More at mvp247.com
 
 
 

The Anthony Rowe One

Ex-BBL player turned Sky Sports analyst Anthony Rowe joins the MVP Cast.
He tells us about his transition from title-winning player at Leicester Riders to broadcasting, and now a career as a wealth management consultant and preparing to make a successful switch when injuries began to mount. He details his love of hometown club Plymouth Raiders and why he'd love one last call at the Pavilions. Plus we preview this weekend's BBL Trophy final. More at MVP247.com.

The Claire Abbott One

Gloucester City Queens guard Claire Abbott joins the MVP Cast.
She tells Mark Woods about life, basketball and work in Yukon, the remotest part of Canada where her alternative mission was to address society's problems there as a social worker. Claire reveals why she had an itch to scratch to play pro hoops, being part of a WBBL start-up ... and how she wants to read minds. More at MVP247.com.

The Carl Wheatle One

Great Britain forward Carl Wheatle joins the MVP Cast.
He tells Mark Woods about how he was forced to grow up early after the death of his father and moving to Italy but how choosing to make his life abroad gave him a head start. He reveals the secrets of success of the Italian system, his feelings about being tabbed as a future GB captain, and what it would take to lure him home to the BBL. More at mvp247.com

The Conor Meany One

Conor Meany joins the MVP Cast.
He tells Mark Woods about his new book - Hoops Across The Ocean: The Rise and Fall of the Irish basketball team - which chronicles the era where Ireland was transformed by the arrival of Irish-Americans and NBA-calibre talent but conflicted by the impact it had on homegrown players. We assess the long-term implications that transpired, the pitch of hoops to today's generation - and whether Dublin and Belfast are ripe for BBL expansion franchise. More at mvp247.com.

The Maud Ranger One

Caledonia Pride guard Maud Ranger joins the MVP Cast.
She tells Mark Woods about opting out of the French basketball system and testing herself in a smaller college in the USA, being inspired by the successes of her compatriots, her entrepreneurial streak and wanting to make it big in the music industry -  and pushing for improvement in the WBBL. More at mvp247.com

The Josh Steel One

Manchester Giants guard Josh Steel joins the MVP Cast.
He tells Mark Woods about just why he created a video to look at solutions to the problems in British basketball and how to use social media to promote his brand - and that of the sport. We talk about his choices in quitting college early in the USA to pursue a pro career in Europe, how he plans his next move and improving his game. And we look ahead to the BBL Cup final that pits Giants against Leicester Riders. More at mvp247.com

The Abby Lowe One

Durham Palatinates forward Abby Lowe joins the MVP Cast.
She tells Mark Woods about growing up in France and a journey that's led her from Britain to the USA and to parts in between. She describes the mental health issues that came from an unhappy collegiate spell, re-discovering her love for basketball in the WBBL, her 3x3 experiences and those with GB, and the reasons behind her switch from Newcastle Eagles. More at mvp247.com

The Joe Hart One

Plymouth City Patriots guard Joe Hart joins the MVP Cast.
He talks to Mark Woods about his famous namesake, his international basketball days, the twists and turns of building a career in Europe after passing up US colleges, and how he is planning to bed down in the BBL. More at mvp247.com