The Real Win in Youth Basketball
People often tell me my son’s a natural on the court, but to be real—confidence and skills don’t just happen overnight. He’s still learning to put in the work, push through the tough moments, and stay focused. It’s not easy. Some days he’s locked in, and other days, he’s just not feeling it. But that’s the process. As a parent, I’m here to encourage, guide, and sometimes push him when he needs it. Coaches play a huge part too, but it’s a team effort—parents, coaches, and players all working together. Sometimes, I've found there’s a lot of finger-pointing between coaches and parents when things don’t go right, but that does not help anyone. It is important to focus on building confidence in these kids, on and off the court. Youth athletes participate in sports for fun and friendship, but they will inevitably make mistakes and forget what they've learned in practice. When this happens, they often feel they have disappointed their friends, parents, and coaches. It's important they feel we love them the same, regardless of their performance in a game. At the end of the day, basketball is about more than just the game. It’s about mental toughness, teamwork, and life skills. Let’s work together to help these young athletes reach their potential, not just as players, but as people.