The basketballscotland staff team are all deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of our good friend and colleague, Stevie Duff, 44, who passed away on Tuesday 29th May 2012. Stevie has made an overwhelming contribution to the Scottish basketball community for many years, with many notable achievements, just some of which are listed in the brief synopsis below.

I can’t honestly say when it was that I first heard of Luther VANDROSS, but I do know that I loved his voice as soon as I heard it.

This week Head Coach Chris FINCH will lead his Great Britain team in two of their biggest games EVER. They are both against Switzerland. I wanted to write an article about Chris whom I have known for years. In fact I can remember him in his playing days.

I have to tell you that when I heard the news that Pete was seriously ill I was absolutely devastated. Pete is someone who you thought would always be there. This was my presentation at the funeral of my friend Pete Jacques on the 28 April 2010.

Last summer both the Great Britain Mens and Womens teams qualified for the top tier of European Basketball by advancing to Eurobasket A after a series of hard fought games. Both teams went unbeaten through the summer. Plans are well on the way for this summer's series of games which will see Chris Finch's Great Britain Men taking on the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Israel, while GB Women, under Head Coach Mark Clark, will face Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Israel.

Back in the day, I published a magazine called SHOOTING HOOPS and featured news and information from around the BBL. In issue number I, I included one of my favourite young British players Yorick Williams. In this special feature with some new photos - I want to give you a chance to hear again what he had to say.

Over the past years I have had the great pleasure of interviewing a number of celebrities. These have included politicians, sports people, musicians and comedians. In this section of mikeshaft.com, I will try to remember some of these people and give you a short resume of my interview with them. Please note these are done in no particular order.

One of our favourite people on BBC Radio Manchester's Sunday Breakfast is Becky Silver. Becky comes in on a regular basis to present our 'Thought for the Week'. Her stories are always joyous. Some time ago she told the story of a very good friend of mine, Paul Sleem. I asked her if I could use it on mikeshaft.com. Thankfully she said yes!

I first heard Father Michael through listening to the BBC Radio Manchester Sunday morning programme, when he reviewed articles in the Christian papers, with Presenter Mike Shaft, which he did for over 30 years.

A few weeks ago while at BBC GMR, the producer of the ‘Michelle Around Midnight’ programme Hayley CAVILL, gave me a new cd to listen to.