Yale Basketball Phenom & NBA Draft Prospect John Poulakidas on Mindset, Faith & March Madness

College basketball fans remember him as the 2024 NCAA Tournament folk hero who ended Auburn’s title hopes before they began. Yale knows him as an authentic, humble, and hardworking student—who also happens to be elite at hoops. John Poulakidas brings it all to Episode 2 of Off The Leash.

John Poulakidas, a senior guard from Naperville, Illinois, is closing out an unforgettable career at Yale. During his junior season, he earned 2nd Team All-Ivy honors and set a school record for three-pointers in a single season (83). He then delivered one of the biggest shots of his career in the Ivy League Postseason Tournament, fueling Yale’s unreal comeback against Brown to punch their ticket to March Madness. If you’re an Ivy League hoops fan—or looking to get more involved—watch the highlights from that game. It was truly something special - Yale's Unreal Comeback to Earn NCAA Postseason Bid

After their thrilling Ivy League Tournament win, Yale earned a 13-seed in the NCAA Tournament, drawing a tough matchup against Auburn. The Tigers had everything—elite defense, scoring depth, a veteran coach, and momentum. On paper, Yale didn’t stand a chance. John Poulakidas had other plans. He delivered a showstopping 28-point performance on 10-of-15 shooting, playing with precision and confidence that turned heads nationwide. His breakout moment catapulted him onto the national stage. Relive the madness—watch Yale’s stunning upset over Auburn here - #13 Yale Upsets #4 Auburn in Back and Forth game

Episode two kicks off with John reflecting on his journey—from high school standout to Yale star. He dives into his recruiting process, explaining why he turned down high-major offers from TCU, Rutgers, Wake Forest, and Butler to pursue an Ivy League degree. John then breaks down his transformation from a young freshman to a polished veteran, sharing the dedication and detailed work it takes to refine your game at the college level.

We then shift to March Madness, where John takes us inside the experience—from the venues and pregame atmosphere to the biggest moments on the court. He breaks down his unforgettable performance, the emotions of the game, and how that night changed his life as a basketball player.

Lastly, we dive into John’s personal journey. Deeply rooted in his faith, he shares how it has guided him through both the highs and lows of his career. We also discuss the challenge of maintaining confidence throughout an up-and-down season, along with the mental tools needed to stay locked in on your goals. As always, Kelvin wraps up the episode with rapid-fire questions for John.

4:30 - Recruiting / Transformation as a Player

11:50 - March Madness

19:00 - Aftermath of the Tournament

21:52 - Deciding to Stay at Yale

23:57 - Jayson Tatum Elite Wing Camp Invite

25:56 - Future of the Ivy League

29:40 - Faith

31:13 - Mental Health

34:13 - Role Models

36:16 - John's Thoughts on Success

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A quick shoutout to our sponsor, Skinletics. Skinletics is redefining the recovery space, and doing it in style. Check out their NEW crossbody bag here - Skinletics NEW Crossover Bag

Shoutout to our team behind the camera that makes all this possible

Zoë Colf