As our 16th president and former power-forward in the Macon County, Illinois YMCA summer basketball league, Abraham Lincoln, once said, "Ball is life."

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in America and at KU. We hold it dear to our hearts. There really is nothing like a Kansas Jayhawks' basketball game in the historic Allen Fieldhouse. I remember growing up watching the Jayhawks, thinking some day I would be wearing the crimson and blue uniform, playing in Allen Fieldhouse in front of 16,300 screaming fans. Alas, I am here writing about basketball instead. Better luck next time, I guess.

For true basketball players, there really is nothing like playing the sport. The combination of power, speed, athleticism, finesse, and skill make the game incredibly entertaining to watch and even more fun to play. However, not everyone is cut out to play the sport forever. Most basketball players have to realize that with their end of their high school career comes the end of their organized basketball career. Sure, there are plenty of recreational leagues, but nothing is ever the same.

Here is a list of the things high school basketball players miss most about their sport:

1. Wearing the Uniform.

I know it sounds a little silly, but there is something about wearing an actual uniform with your team name plastered to the front with shorts and shoes to match that makes everything seem more official and legitimate. In a way, it reaffirms the intense passion you hold for the sport. The games seem more important when you and your teammates are wearing matching uniforms rather than similarly colored t-shirts with numbers drawn on the back in sharpie and whatever shorts people happened to have clean at the time.

2. Practices

At the time they seemed annoying and tedious, but basketball is truly a team sport, and the more often you practice with your teammates, the better you play with each other. There is something really special about playing with a bunch of guys who know exactly where to be and what to do at all times without anyone having to say a word to each other. You learn to play with and for each other because the team is more important than you.

3. Locker Room Antics

They don't smell good, but it's where bonds stronger than the odor are formed. All the joking around and talking between teammates before and after games and practices in the locker room is what being a part of a team is all about. Whether it's lacing up in the crappy opponents locker room at an away gym or hearing coach's pre-game speech from the comfort of your home locker room, it's a special place for teams.

4. Pre-Game Rituals

It's no secret that a number of athletes are superstitious. Others might simply be creatures of habit. Either way, most athletes have a strict ritual they go through before each game. For me, I had to get dressed for my game exactly one hour before game time. Jersey first, then shorts, right sock, left sock, ankle brace (weak ankles), and finally right shoe and left shoe. In that order. Every game.

5. Warm-Ups

This might be the thing I miss most. There's nothing like slipping the warm-up over the jersey, running out onto the court, seeing the people in the crowd, and starting the layup lines while listening to the music playing throughout the gym. You get to size up your opponent while getting loose and pumped up for the game. (This might have also been my favorite part of the game because I didn't play very much...)

6. Towel Waving and Other Bench Player Antics

For me and others who, as they got older, started playing less when the clock was moving, we had to do what we could to help the team. Some people like to get water for the players, others like yelling and towel waving. It's a great way to pump up the team when morale is low. They look over and see you on the end of that bench clapping and cheering and think, "That's just the boost I needed right now. Thanks Alex, you are such a good contributor to the team and definitely just as good as the rest of us. I don't know why coach doesn't see that and play you more in the games!"

(Not bitter....)

I love this game, and I miss playing organized basketball every day.