Happy Wednesday - Make sure you’re taking game shots.

A Sacred Place

I have been lucky to experience some pretty amazing things through basketball. This game has taken me to places I never imagined when I first started playing with my older brother and shooting in the driveway. From playing in the Dean Dome in North Carolina, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Phoenix Suns arena, each experience has its own story. I have traveled to places like Costa Rica, Peru, and Alaska all because of basketball. Every trip, every gym, every moment has given me something to be grateful for.

But there’s a place that always feels special. Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. I played there in high school during the Adidas May Classic, again in college when I played at IUPUI (and we nearly beat IU), and most recently had the chance to coach there. Walking through that tunnel, hearing the squeak of the floor, and seeing the banners hang above you is something special. Assembly Hall is more than just a building to a lot of people. It is a continued reminder of what basketball means in this state. It represents history, pride, and the deep connection Indiana has to the game.

I will always be thankful I’ve gotten to go to some cool places, meet great people, and have great experiences all because of the game of basketball.

Questions for you:

Coaches, we all have our own “Assembly Hall.” That one place that reminds us why we fell in love with the game. Where is yours? What gym brings you back to that same feeling of excitement and purpose? And how can you create that same sense of pride and meaning for your players right where you are?

I was messaged by a coach recently who was dealing with a particularly challenging player. The coach was worried how it was affecting the team, struggling on how to handle it, and overall just extremely frustrated. This coach is not alone.

Every coach has had that one player. The super talented one who makes things complicated. The player with a bad attitude, who rolls their eyes in practice or refuses to buy into the team culture. Maybe they are selfish on the floor, disconnected in the classroom, or making poor choices off it. You can see the potential, but the frustration starts to outweigh the joy. I’ve been there. And I’ve learned that usually, the issue isn’t the kid. The issue is the connection.

More often than not, there’s a reason behind the behavior. Maybe they don’t see how being a part of something bigger can benefit them. Maybe they have things going on at home, or they are struggling socially or emotionally in ways we can’t see. One of the best lessons I have learned is that before you can coach a player, you have to understand them. You have to know what drives them, what worries them, and what they care about outside of basketball. The more you know them, the more they’ll let you coach them. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” That idea applies perfectly to coaching.

I once had a very talented player who started early in his career. He had all the skills, but his attitude made every day a battle. He was rude to teammates, resistant to feedback, and his parents only fueled the problem. At one point, it felt like we were heading for a complete breakdown. But instead of doubling down on punishment or control, I chose to take a different approach. I made an effort to get to know him - not as a player, but as a person. We talked about life, music, school, and things that had nothing to do with basketball. Slowly, his walls came down, and so did mine. Once our relationship grew, I was able to coach him harder, hold him accountable, and help him lead. He ended up becoming one of the best players I’ve ever coached and one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around.

If you’re dealing with a difficult player, try looking beyond the behavior. The goal isn’t to win the argument, it’s to win the connection. Coaching is about people first, basketball second.

Questions for you:

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Shared Resources

An interesting defensive tactic!

We’ve all gotten that one message from a parent that makes you pause, blink twice, and say… “Did they really just send that?”

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Let’s remind each other we’re not alone in this coaching journey.

That’s a wrap on Episode 14 of Game Shots. Thank you for subscribing. Truly.

My mission has always been, and will always be, to support coaches around the world who love the game and want to keep getting better.