GBA’s November ‘Ganas’ guests include Stanford star Haley Jones, who led Cardinal to NCAA championship

  Podcast Episodes Available on Apple. 

Salinas, CA, October 20, 2021 — A rising superstar in our midst, Haley Jones has enjoyed quite a career on the basketball court. And she’s only beginning. The Santa Cruz native who led Stanford to the NCAA championship earlier this year will be the featured guest on “Ganas — Leading from the Heart” podcasts for November. 

Designed to inspire today’s youth through unique views and perspectives on life, “Ganas” (which translates to “desire”) is recorded live from the family garage of Jose Gil and Eva Silva, co-founders of Gil Basketball Academy that promotes the sport of basketball in East Salinas through camps, clinics, individual sessions and elite travel teams. But more than that, GBA builds confidence and character in a membership that exceeds 450 local kids ages 4 to 17. 

The “Ganas” podcast officially launched on Sept. 14, 2020, with past episodes available on Apple, or through the GBA website at www.gilbasketballacademy.com. 

On Nov. 1, the podcast welcomes Jones, a highly recruited talent who starred for Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. The Santa Cruz native was rated the No. 1 player in the country according to both ESPN HoopGurlz and Prospects Nation, and ended up leading the Cardinal to glory as the Final Four MVP. 

On Nov. 15 the guest is former NBA player Tony Farmer, who played professionally in the U.S., France, Italy, Russia and Puerto Rico, and is now a noted entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. 

Finally, the month rounds out on Nov. 29 with guest Jesse Pruitt, the Stanford men’s basketball team assistant coach who this year begins his sixth season on The Farm. 

The idea for a podcast grew from Gil’s growing frustration in not being able to completely connect with and inspire his GBA kids during the pandemic. 

“You have to think outside the box,” said the longtime coach and athletic director at Alisal High School. “I was used to having hundreds of kids together at one time, and now I have to figure out new ways to have an impact.” 

While the couple have little experience in media (and none in podcasting), they invested in the technology needed to turn the family garage into a functioning studio. 

“Ganas” podcasts (including video with guests appearing via Zoom) span 30 to 45 minutes, and include topics such as sports, health, fitness, leadership, community and more.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR LLC
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.gilbasketballacademy.com/