Ep. 406 (1/11/26): Special Guest - Jake Harrison, Professional Basketball Player for FC Gaia

In this episode, Joey has the honor and privilege of being joined by his former basketball teammate and current professional basketball player for FC Gaia in Portugal, Jake Harrison. Harrison played collegiate basketball for Western New England (WNE) where he was an All-American selection and an integral part of the Golden Bears' trip to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen in 2025.

At the start of the episode, Jake details his love for the game (1:55) and why he chose 22 as his jersey number (8:35). Following that, Jake breaks down what it was like winning the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship in 2025, WNE's first conference title in men's basketball since 2001 (9:38). Jake describes what it was like playing in the NCAA Division III tournament (12:40) and how he found he was the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Year and an All-American selection in the 2022-23 season (16:06). Then, they rewind to high school to highlight the moment that Jake's game took a big jump at Boston Latin School (18:40). After that, Jake points out which moment stands out most to him from his exceptional college career (21:00). Joey takes a minute to break down Jake's historic numbers during his collegiate career at WNE and where he stands in the program's history books (22:46). Jake gives a look into the work he put in during the offseason to help him excel in college (24:06) and explains how much of an honor it was to be a multi-year captain at WNE (27:47).

Moreover, Joey praises Jake for his incredible accomplishments at WNE (30:48) before shifting over to talking about his professional career in Portugal (31:25) and asking about the biggest differences from college (33:10). Furthermore, Jake provides insight into FC Gaia's practice regimen (34:07), how the season has gone thus far (36:00), and how he deals with the the pressure that comes with playing professional basketball (37:47). Jake reveals what the transition has been like living overseas (40:56), how he spends his free time (42:13), and his favorite dish in Portugal (44:20). Additionally, Jake discusses his coolest experience overseas outside of playing (45:05) and how the EuroProBasket European Summer League in June of 2025 helped him (49:21).

At the end, they preview the Chargers-Patriots Wild Card matchup (56:33).