Podcast
BEYOND THE CONTRACT | Basketball, Overseas, Stories, Interview
Hosted by Ismael Diouf · EN
Beyond the Contract is a podcast about the real journey of professional basketball. Beyond the highlights and the stats.
Hosted by Ismaël Diouf, a college basketball player who has also played in the CEBL and is pursuing a career overseas, this show features unfiltered conversations with professional players, coaches, and athletes chasing the same dream.
Each episode explores what life is really like after signing a contract. From adapting to new countries and understanding the differences between U.S. and overseas basketball, to facing challenges, making decisions, and growing through the process.
If you want honest insight into the reality of professional basketball and the path to getting there, this podcast is for you.
The real story starts after the contract.
Email: ismaeldiouf1123@gmail.com
6episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside the G League: Navigating the Levels of Pro Basketball | Micheal O’Connell
Apr 2200:47:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond the Contract, I sit down with Micheal O’Connell, former Stanford and NC State guard who is now navigating the professional level between the G League with Golden State and playing in Puerto Rico. We talk about what the G League is really like, how competitive that environment is, and what it means to be constantly adapting between different levels of the game. Micheal shares his experience moving from college to the pros, the challenges that come with uncertainty, and what it takes to stay ready for every opportunity. This episode gives a real look at a path that isn’t always straightforward, and what it’s like building a career while figuring it out along the way.
Transcribe →From NBA Summer League to Overseas: What Comes Next | Tytan Anderson
Apr 800:25:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond the Contract, I sit down with Tytan Anderson, former UNI player who had the opportunity to compete in the NBA Summer League with the New Orleans Pelicans and is now in his first professional season in Belgium. We talk about what that journey really looks like. From being close to the NBA level to starting a career overseas. Tytan shares his experience in Summer League, what he learned from that environment, and how it prepared him for the next step. We also get into the reality of going pro, the transition to playing in Europe, and the adjustments that come with building a career at the professional level. If you want to understand what happens after opportunities like Summer League and what it really takes to keep moving forward, this episode gives you a real perspective.
Transcribe →First Year Overseas: The Reality of Going Pro | Ben Middlebrooks
Apr 100:41:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Ben Middlebrooks, former NC State player and one of my former teammates, who is now in his rookie season playing professionally in Sweden. We talk about what it’s really like to go from college basketball to your first year as a pro. From signing that first contract, to adjusting to a new country, and dealing with the challenges that come with playing overseas. Ben shares his experience, what surprised him the most, and what he’s learning during this transition. If you’re a college athlete thinking about going pro or just want to understand what that first year overseas really looks like, this episode gives you a real perspective.
Transcribe →10 Years Overseas: What It Really Takes to Last | Jahenns Manigat
Mar 2500:39:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond the Contract, I sit down with Jahenns Manigat, former Creighton player who built a 10-year professional career across Europe and Canada. We talk about his journey from college to the pro level, what it takes to build a long career overseas, and the lessons he learned from playing in multiple countries. Jahenns shares the challenges he faced, the mindset required to stay in the game, and what separates players who last from those who don’t. If you want to understand the reality of a long professional basketball career, this episode brings valuable insight and perspective.
Transcribe →What Is It Really Like Playing Overseas? | Marc Sonnen
Mar 2500:48:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond the Contract, I sit down with Marc Sonnen, my assistant coach who played professionally for two years in Germany. We talk about his transition from college basketball to the professional level, what the process of going overseas looked like, and what his first days in Germany were really like. Marc also shares the challenges he faced during his first season, the adjustments he had to make, and the lessons that shaped his experience as a pro. If you’ve ever thought about playing overseas or want to understand what life is really like after signing a contract, this episode gives you a real inside perspective.
Transcribe →Trailer: Welcome to Beyond The Contract
Mar 2300:00:50Tap to summarizeBeyond the Contract is a podcast about the real journey of professional basketball. Beyond the highlights and the stats. Hosted by Ismaël Diouf, a college basketball player who has also played in the CEBL and is pursuing a career overseas, this show features unfiltered conversations with professional players, coaches, and athletes chasing the same dream. Each episode explores what life is really like after signing a contract. From adapting to new countries and understanding the differences between U.S. and overseas basketball, to facing challenges, making decisions, and growing through the process. If you want honest insight into the reality of professional basketball and the path to getting there, this podcast is for you. The real story starts after the contract.
Transcribe →