Off The Leash Podcast

Caden Pierce: I Sat Out a Year of Basketball... For an Ivy League Degree

Caden Pierce made the decision of a lifetime this year. Today's guest is Caden Pierce, a former Princeton basketball player & Purdue commit. Caden was Ivy League Player of the Year during the 2023-24 season. Before his senior year, Caden made an announcement that he was sitting out the season to retain his basketball eligibility while finishing his Princeton degree. He was a highly sought after recruit in the portal and ultimately committed to Purdue. Caden covers why he made this decision, why he chose Purdue, and how he maximized this year away so he can dominate the court during the 2026-27 season. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:03 Life As A Normal Student 04:57 Caden's Decision To Take A Year Off From Basketball For Degree 10:35 Should The Ivy League Pay Its Players 13:59: Caden's Impressive Family 17:50 Why Purdue 20:12 What Separates Good From Great Players 23:02 The Mental Side of Basketball 25:15 Stadium Pulse 26:45 Playing 3x3 Basketball For Team USA 39:33 1v1 versus 5v5 Basketball 42:50 Mason v. Caden 1v1  44:27 Princeton's Historic March Madness Run 52:28 NIL Money vs Opportunity 53:51 Are You Living Right? 59:20 Glaze Thank you to our sponsor, Skinletics. Check them out at https://www.skinletics.com/ and be sure to use the code Mason20 at checkout. We hope you enjoyed today's episode. Subscribe so you never miss another episode.

The Truth About Playing Football at Yale & Chasing the NFL Dream From the Ivy League

In this episode, we sit down with Yale linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye as he prepares for the NFL Draft and shares what it’s really like navigating football at the Ivy League level. From balancing one of the most demanding academic environments in the world to competing at a high level on the field, Inumidun breaks down the unique reality of being a Yale football player. We dive into his journey, mindset, faith, and the discipline required to succeed in a system that demands more from you on and off the field. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe so you never miss another one.

OTL at Night Hour 2: Ejiro Can't Stop Smacking Teeth & Rolling Eyes, Mase, E & Kelv Play 21 Questions

Mason "Mase" Shipp, Kelvin "Kelv" Smith, and Ejiro "E" Egodogbare break down E's unhealthy eye rolling habit. Mase & Kelv give their feedback and E teaches them how to add the useful tool to their toolkit. The trio finish the night with 21 Questions. Subscribe to OTL at Night so you never miss another drop!

OTL at Night Hour 1: Mase Says He's Like That in Hoops, Kelv & E Call Mase the "Master Massager"

Mason Shipp, Kelvin Smith, and Ejiro Egodogbare react to the Ivy League Hoopers making noise in the basketball world. Ejiro doesn't like Harvard. Mase says he's like that on the court and would beat the whole Yale Football Team. Kelv & E discuss Mason's "upper hand" in the training room, earning him the title "Master Massager." Subscribe to OTL at Night so you don't miss any new drops!

OTL at Night #6: How Did We Get Here

NEW EPISODE of OTL at Night! Kelvin gives Mason and Ejiro random hypotheticals that turn into a way too deep conversation about the purpose of life, risk-aversion, and pursuing your dreams. It ain't deep until it is... Thank you for listening!