Getting better at basketball is like getting better at anything else. You have to DO IT. Over and over and over again. You have to PLAY. I know it sounds simple, but so many players overlook the most important part of developing their game because they’re too focused on finding the perfect workout, the newest drill, or the next trainer. Training has its place, but you can’t forget to actually play the game. When I was growing up, I’d get dropped off at the gym and be told to go play with the older guys. I wasn’t always the best player on the court. I had to figure things out, adjust, get creative, and find new ways to score against guys who were bigger, stronger, and better than me. That’s where real development happens. A cone isn’t going to react to your moves. A chair isn’t going to cut off your driving lane. And making 100 shots in an empty gym doesn’t teach you everything you need to know about making shots with a defender in your face and the game on the line. As a high school player, you need to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Find pickup games. Play 1-on-1, 3-on-3, and 5-on-5. Compete against players who challenge you. Make mistakes, learn from them, and figure out what works when someone is actually trying to stop you. You don’t develop your game by just watching basketball, playing video games, or doing the same comfortable drills every day. You develop it by getting out there and competing. Stop looking for shortcuts. Stop waiting for the perfect workout. GO PLAY. And if you can find competition that’s older, stronger, and better than you? Even better. You might get humbled, but you’ll learn more than you would dominating someone you’re already better than. Remember: you can work on your skills in training, but you have to learn how to use them in a game. Want to get better? Get on the court and play. Trainer: @Logan Hinton, a former 5 year pro across three counties. Train Like a Pro! 🏀