Roneeka Hodges on Player-First Coaching (EP416)

Roneeka Hodges on Player-First Coaching (EP416)

From The Basketball Podcast by Chris Oliver

March 18, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 416

About this episode

Coach Roneeka Hodges discusses her coaching experiences and insights on player development and trust.

In this episode of the Basketball Podcast, Coach Roneeka Hodges discussed her experience as the associate head coach for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA and her role as head coach of the Phantom BC and Unrivaled Basketball League. She reflected on her coaching journey, emphasizing the importance of player development, building trust with players, and adapting to the evolving game. Coach Hodges shared insights on balancing control and trust as a head coach, the challenges of transitioning from playing to coaching, and the value of mentorship in her career. She also highlighted the unique opportunities provided by the Unrivaled League for player growth and development. The conversation touched on her approach to defensive systems, player confidence-building, and the role of technology in modern coaching. Coach Hodges expressed gratitude for the mentors who have shaped her career and looked forward to applying her experiences in her role with the Connecticut Sun. 01:54 Unrivaled Season Recap 04:17 Player to Coach Shift 11:05 Drafting Culture and Identity 12:02 Defensive Foundations 15:11 Offense and Player Development 18:20 Staff Roles and Safe Space 21:16 Player Pet Peeves 24:41…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Oliver

Guest: Roneeka Hodges

Topics covered

  • player development
  • coaching journey
  • trust in coaching
  • mentorship
  • defensive systems
  • technology in coaching

Keywords

  • coaching
  • WNBA
  • player development
  • mentorship
  • defensive systems
  • technology
  • trust

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Connecticut Sun, Phantom BC, Unrivaled Basketball League, WNBA

More episodes of The Basketball Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Basketball Podcast podcast page.