In the debut episode of the State of Hoops: A South Dakota Basketball Podcast, co-hosts Todd Schlekeway and Nate Malchow share their passion for South Dakota basketball, reflecting on their personal experiences and the impact the sport has had on their friendship. They discuss their early memories of attending the Northern State University Future Stars Basketball Camps, their time as teammates playing AAU Basketball for Team South Dakota, the state's prominent position nationally when it comes to hoops, and the significance of South Dakota coaches and educators in shaping young athletes.

The episode also introduces South Dakota's passionate hoops community to various podcast segments, such as "Chalk Talk", "Give and Go", "Show-Out Shout-Out", and "Bleacher Preachers", that are aimed at engaging listeners and celebrating the rich history of basketball in South Dakota, while acknowledging the contributions of the players, coaches, administrators, officials, media personalities, and fans who make it special.

The State of Hoops Podcast Season 1 Sponsors include the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame, Tiefenthaler Homes with Hegg Real Estate, Park Bench Apparel, Charles Schwab – Sioux Falls (Lonnie Struckman and Zach Hanson Financial Consultants), and Insight. 

Basketball fans in the state are encouraged to interact with the podcast hosts via e-mail at stateofhoopspodcast@gmail.com and follow, like, subscribe, and engage with the State of Hoops Podcast on the following social media platforms: 

• YouTube Channel:@StateofHoopsPodcast   

• Instagram: @state_of_hoops_podcast   

• X: @StateofHoopsPod