Photo Courtesy: Jason Eaker/Oklahoma Baptist University)
THIS IS EPISODE 183 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Jason Eaker joined Oklahoma Baptist as the head men’s basketball coach in April 2018. Eaker, who spent one season in a Bison uniform before finishing his playing days at Hardin-Simmons University, grew up attending to OBU games. His father, Allen Eaker, is an OBU Athletics Hall of Famer who played on the 1966 OBU national championship basketball team.
Eaker came to OBU from Mercer, where he was an assistant coach beginning in 2013. He has 15 years of coaching experience, including nine years as an NCAA Division I assistant coach. He has been in the postseason six times with three different programs, and has recruited or developed 16 players that have earned All-Conference honors.
Eaker previously worked as an assistant coach at Liberty University from 2007-2013, after being director of basketball operations for the Flames from 2005-2007.
Eaker spent a year as Kelvin Sampson’s graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma in the 2004-05 season, and started his basketball staff career as a video coordinator at Texas Pan-American in 2003-04.
In Part 2 of our two-part conversation, Eaker opens up about a mistake he made that led to him stepping away from coaching. He shares why he did what he did, and the lessons he’s learned from God about healing, reconciliation and redemption.
“You can’t just tell a player to “be confident”. Confidence is only learned & developed through hours & hours in the gym. Confidence is knowledge gained from deliberate repetition.” @CoachJonBeck
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING TAUREN WELLS
Tauren Wells is a multi-Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist, author, podcast host and pastor. His song “Hills and Valleys” reached near the top of the Christian music charts after it was released. His latest EP, “Let the Church Sing,” released in March 2025. And his new book, “Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus’ Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life,” comes out May 20.
In 2024, Tauren and his wife, Lorna, launched Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, where he serves as the senior pastor.
Tauren’s new book “Joy Bomb” releases May 20, 2025.
Today on the podcast, Tauren Wells shares with Matt and Jason about his relationship with NBA star Stephen Curry, hearing his songs be used as an influence for sports teams, what it means to have the ego sanctified, and why strength is found in service.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING CHI BRALEY
Chi Braley is a survivor. The former professional field hockey player has an incredible story. She was raped at age 12, then trafficked by age 13 as a sex-slave. For seven years she was drugged and sold to hundreds of men. She was rescued at the age of 19, and after coming to Christ in her 20s she began work as a media producer. She’s currently a producer at the Christian Broadcasting Network and “The 700 Club.”
Today on the podcast, Chi Braley shares her incredible story of redemption, forgiveness, motherhood and Jesus.
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)
Between Steph Curry, Draymond Green and midseason acquisition Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors have as much playoff experience as any team in the NBA. Offseason addition Buddy Hield, however, had four career postseason appearances when he joined the Warriors.
But with their season on the line in a win-or-go-home Game 7 Sunday night, it was Hield who propelled No. 7-seed Golden State past the Houston Rockets and into the second round. The nine-year veteran will not forget his performance inside the Toyota Center anytime soon.
Having scored four total points in Games 5 and 6 (both losses), Hield tied a Game 7 record by knocking down nine of his 11 3-point attempts. He went 12-of-15 from the field for a game-high 33 points in the Warriors’ 103-89 victory.
Two players have EVER hit 9+ threes on at least 80% from deep in a Playoff game:
“It’s a childhood dream,” he said in the postgame press conference. “We all talk about Game 7s. We all want to play in Game 7s, but actually playing in a Game 7 and preparing for it is one of the hardest things ever.”
Hield scored 22 of his points before halftime, including a buzzer-beater from halfcourt to end the first quarter.
Speaking with the media after the game, Hield openly discussed the nerves and pressure he felt. He told TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew that his strong faith in God helped steady him.
“All glory to God, man,” he said. “Without Him this would not be possible. I was really locked in, just keeping my mind right and just talking to God and knowing I had to come through and help my team.”
Hield gave thanks to God again in the postgame press conference.
“Just trying to find my joy,” he said. “I’ve never been in this situation before. Just trying to seize the moment … Tonight was fun. All glory to God.”
Drafted sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016, Golden State is the fifth different organization Hield — who was born in the Bahamas and won the 3-point contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game — has played for. He appeared in all 82 games this season, averaging 11.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
In 2021, he became the fastest player in NBA history to make 1,000 3-pointers, breaking the record held by his now-teammate Curry.
Going back to his college days at the University of Oklahoma, Hield has also been outspoken about his faith in the Lord. He regularly thanks God for “Life, Health and Strength” on X and credits his mom, Jackie Swann, for laying the foundation for his relationship with the Lord.
“Psalm 23 is the one I always read, the main one before my games,” he said in a 2016 Sports Spectrum article. “My mom always told me to read that when I was nervous or before a big game. I also like Psalm 91, 27, 35, and 37. I read them before every game. I’m trying to get my mind right.”
If the Warriors are going to make a run at another NBA title, they’ll need Hield to continue making shots and playing at a high level. They have not reached the conference finals since winning the championship in 2021-22.
The No. 6-seed Minnesota Timberwolves await them in the second round. Game 1 from the Target Center in Minneapolis is at 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. The winner of the series will face either the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Kendrick Bourne in 2024. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING KENDRICK BOURNE
Kendrick Bourne is a wide receiver with the New England Patriots. He went undrafted in 2017 despite having a stellar college career at Eastern Washington, but eventually signed with the San Francisco 49ers, making the final roster as a rookie. He spent four seasons in San Francisco (2017-20) before signing with New England in 2021. He’s scored 11 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Patriots.
Today on the podcast, Kendrick Bourne shares his powerful story of surrendering to Jesus in Miami, God’s grace in his life, teaching his kids about Christ, and living out his faith in the NFL.
