Basketball Advice

[KingV2k3]

Re: Basketball Advice

I was rooting for you to make the team, but since you didn't it might be worth your while to get into an situation (either pick up games or in a league) where you play with and against older and better players...

If you can hang with the former college / AAU / streetball dudes in your area, making your HS team in the future will be a lock...

No quit!

[wwharton]

Re: Basketball Advice

I didn't make it



Those were all of the emotions I felt after not making it. When I saw who made it and who didn't it was really hysterical. The guy that made varsity (5'7, no handles, no hops, no shot, so cocky its not even funny) was cussing out his teammates after he made a bad pass(every time he passed pretty much) and he missed almost every shot he took. When I asked the coach why I didn't make any team he said it was a "number's issue" but in my mind I thought well you could have just bumped that kid that made varsity off and re-done the teams that way. There were some other kids that made JV and varsity (two freshman) that I think the coach has overrated a little bit too. Ah well just gotta get better but even some of my harshest critics (other coaches not related to high school) were pretty shocked I didn't make it.

Gotta put my head down and keep working and show them they were wrong but I truly wonder how unless I can go in there dunking there what else I need to do. I know I can play at the varsity level I just don't know how to get the chance. Sorry if it sounds like I'm some spoiled diva who thinks I'm entitled to something I just get frustrated thinking about what happens at that school.

Thanks for all the help. Maybe I should just transfer schools but there's no way to be able to tell if I'll have the same problem.

Sorry you didn't make it. Seems like you've got a good head on your shoulders. I wish we could actually evaluate your game ourselves and give you an honest assessment. As some mentioned earlier, it might be a political thing. But it also may not be so keep working (sounds like that's exactly what you plan on doing). I will say, unless you plan on playing in college there's no point in transferring schools. Play and get better for you and the love of the game. Good luck.

[Nathan_OS]

Re: Basketball Advice

Can you post a video of you playing? Shooting around? Laups/dunks. Ball handling?

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Can you post a video of you playing? Shooting around? Laups/dunks. Ball handling?

I'd prefer not to my post videos of myself.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Sorry you didn't make it. Seems like you've got a good head on your shoulders. I wish we could actually evaluate your game ourselves and give you an honest assessment. As some mentioned earlier, it might be a political thing. But it also may not be so keep working (sounds like that's exactly what you plan on doing). I will say, unless you plan on playing in college there's no point in transferring schools. Play and get better for you and the love of the game. Good luck.

I'll be honest here and I really do want to play basketball in college and maybe professionally somewhere. I know anyone can just sit here and say that but when they realize how much time and effort they put into it they'll end up not doing it. I am willing to put in the hours in the gym and hours in the weight room trying to get more explosive. So, if my goal is to play in college and hopefully professionally one day should I transfer schools if I really don't feel like I can get a fair crack at the school I'm currently at.

[Nathan_OS]

Re: Basketball Advice

I'll be honest here and I really do want to play basketball in college and maybe professionally somewhere. I know anyone can just sit here and say that but when they realize how much time and effort they put into it they'll end up not doing it. I am willing to put in the hours in the gym and hours in the weight room trying to get more explosive. So, if my goal is to play in college and hopefully professionally one day should I transfer schools if I really don't feel like I can get a fair crack at the school I'm currently at.

Careful.....

Education first.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Totally, I am in AP classes so I try my best to manage my time effectively.

[Nathan_OS]

Re: Basketball Advice

Totally, I am in AP classes so I try my best to manage my time effectively.

What grade are you in?

[wwharton]

Re: Basketball Advice

I'll be honest here and I really do want to play basketball in college and maybe professionally somewhere. I know anyone can just sit here and say that but when they realize how much time and effort they put into it they'll end up not doing it. I am willing to put in the hours in the gym and hours in the weight room trying to get more explosive. So, if my goal is to play in college and hopefully professionally one day should I transfer schools if I really don't feel like I can get a fair crack at the school I'm currently at.

Short answer: Yes.

The problem is, changing schools is one of those things you can do whether you're really serious about this or not. I don't doubt that you are (based on everything you've written, I really believe you're motivated) and you even mentioned the necessary work you're willing to do but honestly, you just can't know how much it'll take. I've been coaching HS basketball for 15 years (and I've been coaching and working at camps for 22 years, including when I was in school). It takes a combination of natural talent (which could include height and body type) and hard work... the combination needed is different for each person, and for some the "hard work" part is beyond what's possible in the time they have before college. It's hard to give you accurate advice without knowing exactly what you are so I'm going by your word.

So, with that said, if you want to play in college I would recommend you identify your strengths and weaknesses (maybe get some help) and work on bringing a strong identity to your game. Work on your weaknesses to the point that they become a strength, while also tweaking your strengths so that you can better take advantage of them in certain situations. Working at camps is great because it allows you to pick coach's brains and also learn a ton of drills to help you cater your workout to your liking... and you get paid for it. Join an AAU league or something similar, and be sure to evaluate your game (even do this after playing pick up). Don't beat yourself up, but be honest about what you did well/poorly, why you may not have gotten as many touches in some cases, defense, etc. If you can afford a strength coach to give you a work out plan specific to improving your game, do it.

Again, I don't know where you are at this stage to say how important any and all of the above would be. But if you're as serious as you sound, this will be your life... hours a day. And since you're not on the team, you'll have to be extremely disciplined or find other avenues to get structure like camps, leagues, personal trainer (would highly recommend one for both your game and your strength), etc. I've seen the best D-1 teams and the worse D-3 teams and I'm sure there's a place for you out there. The question is whether the work needed is overwhelming or if you can/can't find the discipline and structure to get you to the point you need to be in time.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Basketball Advice

Also pick up this bad boy if you want to step your game up and try out next year, or try to impress the coach this year.


It's helped me improve in some areas, and I don't even play any form of organized ball. Just messing around with friends.

Spoiler

It even explains the Triangle Offense!!!!

[Blzer]

Re: Basketball Advice

What grade are you in?

I believe he's a sophomore, but I can't remember exactly.

When I was a senior, there were only two students in my high school who were in any AP classes in their sophomore year. They both had AP Chem, and one of them was also in AP Statistics.

Maybe he meant AS classes, but those are not the same thing at all.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

I believe he's a sophomore, but I can't remember exactly.

When I was a senior, there were only two students in my high school who were in any AP classes in their sophomore year. They both had AP Chem, and one of them was also in AP Statistics.

Maybe he meant AS classes, but those are not the same thing at all.

I meant AP classes but they don't seem to be that hard to get into anymore. Once your in though there is a lot of homework and essays. You need a B or higher for AP history sophomore year and if you get a B or higher in Algebra 2 freshman year, you can take any AP science class (Chemistry, Bio, etc.) and AP Pre-Calculus.

[Blzer]

Re: Basketball Advice

There's an AP Pre-Calculus?

No wonder it's so easy to get into now.

[mKoz26]

Re: Basketball Advice

There's an AP Pre-Calculus?

No wonder it's so easy to get into now.

No, there's no AP Pre-Calculus.

lol

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

My bad its called honors pre-calculus

You still get the grade boost so an A is worth 5 points. It's the only honors class in the district so everyone just calls it an AP class but it's not technically one I guess.