Its Just Different Podcast

About the GuestCoach Roland Jones is an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Old Dominion University. With a long track record of developing athletes and guiding them through the college recruiting process, Roland is known for his honest, no-nonsense approach to player development, mindset, and long-term success. His insights come from years on the recruiting trail and inside college locker rooms.Episode SummaryIn this epi...

About the Guest

Tiffany Mitchell is a WNBA veteran and South Carolina Gamecocks legend with over 10 years of professional basketball experience. She has played for multiple WNBA franchises, including the Indiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces, and Seattle Storm.

Tiffany was the first player of the Dawn Staley era to have her jersey retired and be inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame. Today, she also ...

Players everywhere are struggling with inconsistency, confidence, and slow development — and most of it has NOTHING to do with talent. In this solo episode, Ashley breaks down the 5 biggest reasons young hoopers stop improving and what parents must do differently before AAU season.Whether you’re a parent trying to guide your athlete or a player trying to stand out, these lessons will change how you train, compete, and grow.

Key Tak...

About the Guest(s):

Jordan Jackson and Gigi Banks are top high school basketball recruits out of St. James. Jordan is committed to the University of Maryland, while Gigi is exploring programs that align with her growth and style. Both bring unique insights from national competitions like Hoopfest and share strategies for balancing athletics, academics, and NIL opportunities.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of It's Just Different,...

About the Guest(s)

Kaleena “Special K,” Tati Griffin, and Chloe Jenkins are top recruits out of Ontario Christian High School in California.

-Kaleena Smith, the #1 ranked player in the Class of 2027, sets the tone every time she steps on the court. A true floor general and proven scorer, she leads with IQ, confidence, and a competitive edge that elevates everyone around her.

- Tati Giffin is a gold medalist and the #1 ranked player in...

About the Guest

Shaitece Trigg is a seasoned sports psychology specialist with over eight years of experience helping athletes, teams, and coaches reach their highest potential.

With a focus on mental performance, Shaitece supports high-level athletes by applying therapeutic practices from the field of sports psychology.

She is the founder of Shift Performance, a company dedicated to securing happiness and facilitating positive tran...

About the Guest(s):

Coach Eubanks and Coach Sutton lead the Red Oak Lady Hawks with a shared vision: pushing their athletes beyond district success to compete at the state level. Coach Eubanks, the head coach, instills grit and determination, while Coach Sutton complements the program with discipline and a focus on team camaraderie.

Together, they emphasize conditioning, skill growth, spiritual grounding, and creating a family-like ...

About the Guest(s)This episode of It’s Just Different features Argyle High School’s coaching duo, Head Coach Chance Westmoreland and Assistant Coach Casey Wallis, alongside host Ashley Roberts. Coach Chance Westmoreland has over 23 years of coaching experience and currently leads Argyle’s program while serving as Assistant Athletic Director.

His approach combines discipline, development, and academic balance to cultivate wel...

About the Guest(s)

Jake Floyd is the head coach at Denton Guyer, leading the school's basketball program to new heights with a strong focus on fostering teamwork, discipline, and skill development. Under his leadership, the team has made significant strides, reflecting a commitment to cultivating a positive and competitive culture within high school sports.

Ashley Roberts is a podcast host renowned for her engaging and in...

About the Guest(s):

This episode features three powerhouse coaches from North Crowley High School: Coach Shead, Head Coach — a seasoned leader whose passion for excellence and high standards has reshaped North Crowley’s basketball program.

Coach Tory Branch, Associate Head Coach — known for her defensive focus and powerful voice, she brings discipline and intensity to the program.

Coach Jamal Branch, Assistant Coach — a former...

Episode Summary: In the kickoff episode of the High School Podcast Tour, Ashley Roberts sits down with the coaching staff at Mansfield Summit High School to explore the values, discipline, and relationships that power their girls’ basketball program.

Coach Amy Gillum, Coach Purcell, and Coach Giddings open up about how they’ve built a tight-knit, defense-first culture and why trust, communication, and consistency are the foun...

About the Guest(s):Ashley Roberts is the host of the “It’s Just Different” Podcast and a former junior college basketball player who began her collegiate journey at South Plains Junior College before transferring to the University of Texas.

Now a basketball consultant, speaker, and founder of the Different Community, Ashley uses her platform to educate and empower parents navigating their athlete’s basketball journey — especially t...

About the Guest(s):

Ashley Roberts is the founder of the It’s Just Different Podcast and a former University of Texas basketball player. She began coaching varsity basketball at 23, created a successful AAU program, and now leads an empowering movement for parents of girl basketball players.

Through her podcast and community, she guides families through college recruiting, branding, and building opportunities on and off the court.

D...

About the Guest:

Coach Jazz is an internationally recognized clinician, former college and pro player, and basketball trainer with deep roots in athlete development.

From training with Maya Moore to coaching camps around the world—from Egypt to Australia—Coach Jazz is a master teacher who blends experience, empathy, and strategy to transform the lives of athletes and their families.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the It's Ju...

Episode Summary

In this solo episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley breaks down how to stop being busy and start being productive—especially during the crucial fall prep period. September and October are “opportunity season,” and Ashley shares exactly what parents and athletes should be focused on right now to get better.

She touches on everything from skill development and weight training to choosing credible showcases and avoiding...

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the It’s Just Different podcast, Howard Juco Head Coach Al Davis joins Ashley Roberts to break down the real recruiting landscape that many families don’t hear about. From the myths around Division 1 to the overlooked benefits of JUCO programs, this conversation is a must-listen for basketball parents.

Coach Davis shares what he looks for in athletes, how the transfer portal has changed the ...

About the Guests:Kelsi Baker is the head girls basketball coach at Mesquite High School and a former standout at Texas Tech. She also works with EYBL and brings over a decade of experience to the game. Episode Summary:In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Coach Kelsi Baker for a real conversation on the evolving landscape of youth basketball. From the tension between AAU and high school coaches to pr...

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the It’s Just Different Podcast, host Ashley Roberts sits down with veteran coach Jessica Linson, who brings over 20 years of experience coaching at every level — from AAU to high school varsity.

Coach Linson opens up about what it’s really like coaching today’s athletes, managing expectations, and still showing up for her players while balancing motherhood and her own growth. From the evolution of...

Episode Summary:We made it to 100 episodes! In this milestone edition of the It’s Just Different Podcast, host Ashley Roberts reflects on a journey that started with a mic, a mission, and a commitment to show up every week for the basketball community.This episode celebrates over 100 guests, countless stories, and unforgettable insights from some of the most respected names in sports — from WNBA star Ariel Atkins, to college coache...