Its Just Different Podcast

Its Just Different Podcast

Its Just Different Podcast is just what the title says... Different! Different people, Different conversations and different experiences! All with the same common goal... Success! I am your Host Ashley Roberts former collegiate player turned serial entrepreneur. We will talk all things youth/women's basketball and life. Join us on this journey as we share stories, give valuable insight and provide relevant information as it relates to all things basketball from dope people doing dope things. Episodes will drop every Tuesday!

Episodes

July 7, 2026 42 mins

What if one month could completely change your recruiting journey?

Are you making the most of the July live period?

In this solo episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts shares the strategies every basketball player and parent should know before stepping into the biggest evaluation period of the summer.

From setting intentional recruiting goals to improving your social media, highlight tape, and coach communication, this episod...

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Should NIL money be the biggest factor when choosing a college?

What happens when rankings, recruiting, coaching changes, and the transfer portal all influence one of the biggest decisions of your life?

In this episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former Wake Forest and Tennessee standout and current professional basketball player Jewel Spear to discuss what really matters when choosing a college.

Jewel shares...

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What does it really take to raise and develop elite basketball players in today’s youth sports landscape?

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former high school coach, program director, and parent of an elite athlete Chris Hunt to break down the realities behind youth basketball development, parenting decisions, and the shifting culture of exposure and recruitment.

From navigating champio...

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Former college athletes often spend years chasing goals on the court, but what happens when the game ends? In this episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former SMU and Wake Forest basketball player Tamia Jones to discuss the challenges of college athletics, overcoming injuries, building confidence, and transitioning into entrepreneurship.

Tamia shares how her experiences as an athlete shaped her approach to t...

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Most parents want their athlete to play college basketball.The problem? Many athletes say they want it too—but their daily habits tell a different story.In this episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with longtime grassroots basketball coach Ed Durham to discuss the realities of youth basketball, recruiting, and player development in today's game.From coaching elite talent and navigating the AAU landscape to...

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Former pro player and current University of Texas at Arlington assistant coach Jamal Branch joins Ashley Roberts on the It’s Just Different Podcast to talk about the realities of youth basketball, AAU culture, recruiting, parenting, and player development.

From being the No. 1 player in the country to playing for the Lakers G League team and now coaching at the college level, Jamal shares lessons from every stage of the game. ...

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Basketball recruiting has changed — and for most athletes, the old approach no longer works.In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts breaks down the reality of today’s college basketball recruiting landscape and gives practical advice for athletes and parents trying to navigate it.

From social media strategy and camp selection to understanding the transfer portal and communicating with coaches, this ...

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Women’s basketball recruiting is evolving fast — and college coaches are adjusting in real time.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Tennessee women’s basketball assistant coach Bill Ferrara to discuss how NIL, social media, transfer rules, and roster changes are reshaping the recruiting landscape for athletes and families.

Coach Ferrara shares insights from more than 20 years...

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Youth basketball is changing fast — and families are feeling the pressure to keep up.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former professional basketball player and Sports Academy Director of Basketball Gideon Gamble to talk about the current state of youth basketball, the rise of exposure culture, and what true player development should actually look like.

From AAU basketball and circuit ...

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College basketball recruiting is evolving fast — from the transfer portal and NIL shifts to social media presence, exposure pressure, and understanding what actually gets athletes recruited.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Jericka Jenkins, former Hampton University standout and current college basketball coach, to break down what athletes and parents need to understand about today&rs...

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Women’s basketball recruiting is changing fast — from NIL opportunities and the transfer portal to the pressure of exposure, rankings, and finding the right fit.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Sasha Leverentz-Palmer, founder of Her Elite, former Division I coach, and McDonald’s All-American Committee member, to break down what athletes and parents need to understand abou...

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Women’s basketball is evolving fast — and most athletes and parents don’t fully understand what’s changing.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with WNBA champion and entrepreneur Fran Harris to break down the new reality of the game, from NIL and the transfer portal to the long-term impact on player development.

From team chemistry issues to the pressure of chasing opportuni...

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In youth basketball today, families are navigating more pressure than ever — from AAU rankings and EYBL competition to the transfer portal’s impact on college recruiting.In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Ron James, director and head coach of Team Takeover and head coach at Bishop McNamara High School, to break down what truly matters in a player’s development journey.From ...

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Youth basketball training is a booming industry, but not every workout leads to better game performance.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with respected basketball trainer Coach Pitts to break down what truly separates development from just getting reps in.

From mindset and confidence to finding the right AAU fit, Coach Pitts shares what parents and athletes need to understand if they want traini...

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Youth basketball has never had more opportunities — but many families are still prioritizing the wrong things when it comes to player development and recruiting.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former Vanderbilt standout and player development coach Jermaine Beal (“Dollar Bill”) to break down what truly helps athletes improve in today’s basketball landscape.

From the...

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AAU basketball season is here — and if you think playing time is guaranteed, you’re already setting your athlete up for frustration.In this solo episode, Ashley Roberts breaks down the reality most families don’t want to hear: minutes are earned, not given. From team selection to sideline behavior, this episode challenges the expectations that are hurting athlete development and confidence.If you’re blaming ...

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Youth sports are becoming more competitive than ever — but are young athletes paying the price?

In this episode of It’s Just Different Podcast, host Ashley Roberts sits down with sports performance specialist and physical therapist Dr. Erica Rodriguez, founder of 4th Quarter Recovery, to discuss the growing problem of injuries in youth sports and what athletes, parents, and coaches should be doing differently.

Dr. Rodrigu...

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Youth basketball training has exploded in recent years — but not all training is actually helping players develop.

In this episode of It’s Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with player development coach Tony Hobbs to break down what real basketball development should look like and how parents can better support their athletes along the way.

From the rise of private trainers to the pressure of AAU and high school ba...

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About the Guest

Kimberly Davis Powell is a distinguished basketball coach and program director with nearly 30 years of experience. She built ESSENCE Basketball into one of the most respected programs in the country, developing WNBA All-Stars, Olympic invitees, and All-American athletes.

Currently working within the prep school space, Coach Kim focuses on elite player development, discipline, and building strong community-centered pro...

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College basketball recruiting has changed — and many families are still playing by old rules.In this solo episode, Ashley Roberts breaks down how the transfer portal and JUCO recruiting have shifted opportunities away from high school athletes — and what that means for your child.If you’re waiting for a coach to “find” your athlete, you’re already behind.Ashley explains why visibility, production...

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