To the young basketball player,
You are lucky. You have a chance to do what you love and play what you love. If you’re in high school, you are even luckier because you get to play every single day. If you’re younger and just trying out the sport for the first time, stick with it. It takes time to learn, to perfect, and to love.
The first time you shoot at the basket it won’t be pretty. You probably won’t even hit anything. But go get the ball and try again. And again. Learn the routine that works for you. Each player is different and unique and needs to find his own balance.
Don’t let the fear of messing up stop you from pursuing perfection.
Remember, what works for your teammate may not work for you. Know that every extra minute you put in on the court will pay off, be it in the next game when you hit the winning shot or next year when you make a crucial defensive play.
“Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.” Remember this. Put in double the effort on defense that you do on offense.
It’s okay to be the unsung hero and provide the rebounds and the assists rather than all the points. Remember, without the pass leading up to the basket, there would be no basket. It might be nice to always score a ton each game and be featured in the newspaper, but as a player, I always remembered the toughest defenders I faced much more prominently than the leading scorer from the opposing team.
Keep your head level. Know what you are capable of and set your aim high, but keep it realistic. Don’t lose a game for the entire team because you’re trying to show off. Work towards your goals in practice, but know your limits.
Thank your parents. They will be your biggest supporters and the ones always there for you, win or lose. They might have their hands covering their faces, unable to watch your foul shots because of nerves, but they will be at every game and miss it almost as much as you do once you graduate.
Thank your coaches. They give up a ton of their own time to be there for you, to coach you, and to help you be the best player you can be. They might bench you or be strict with you, but at the end of the day, they will mold you into the best player you can possibly be.
Give it everything you have, because one day, it’ll be all over.
Sincerely,
An Old Player
