Michael Beasley said something every parent and coach should probably hear.
There have only been roughly 5,000 players in NBA history, and the modern draft is only 60 picks. Even getting drafted doesn’t guarantee a career. 
So yes, train hard, compete, try to win...
But
Sports make a great game - but a terrible God.
Listen carefully if you’re an athlete…
One day the season will end.
One day the career will end.
One day the applause will stop.
If your identity is in the game, you’ll feel lost when the game is gone.
But if your identity is in God, the game simply becomes a platform.
Sports are meant to be played.
They were never meant to be worshipped.
Train hard.
Compete with excellence.
Honor God with your effort.
But never forget:
Your purpose is bigger than your performance.
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
{Exodus 20:3}
Steph Curry on what he thinks needs to happen to solve America’s basketball problem:
“The ability to develop a baseline for like basketball IQ and what does that mean. There’s an epidemic in that respect. I also feel like even just the ability to allow kids to play multiple sports and be kids for as long as they can before it turns into kind of the business mentality and mindset. On the whole, I think the culture around it has kind of shifted in the wrong direction. I played multiple sports until I was 13 and then figured out what I wanted to do and what I loved. I think what I gained from playing multiple sports and the physical skill sets, the hand-eye coordination, different footwork, you’re around different people, have different demands on your body — that’s only helped me in basketball. I think there’s a lot of people trying to solve it knowing we need as much homegrown talent as possible representing the highest levels of basketball. So, we’ll see what happens.”
(via @TheAthletic Show with @ThompsonScribe)
Happy birthday to my beautiful baller I am so proud to call you mine & so proud of your accomplishments keep doing your thing babygirl I love you always -your #1 fan💞 @AniyaCooper03
I am not ashamed of my journey. My life will be a testimony.
But if I could offer a word of advice to any freshman, sophomore or junior athlete in high school it would be to just listen bro. All them adults in your life not just talking to talk. They been here longer. They done bumped they head already. They trying to save you from doing the same thing.
Do not make the mistake of thinking your talent alone is enough. It’s not. Talent open doors. Character and grades keep you there. And if you already messed up, if your GPA not where it should be, if your name been in rooms for the wrong reasons… don’t quit. Keep digging. You can climb out the hole the same way you dug it.
Class of 29, 28 and 27 hear me.
Take your grades serious. Choose who you hang around wisely. Protect your name. Word spreads fast if you a crash out. Respect authority. Nobody riding for you like your parents and coaches. Work hard when nobody clapping.
Do not wait until senior year to lock in. That GPA do not lie.
I’m still figuring it out myself. I’m struggling but I know God got me.
Be intentional. Lock in early. Pray. Show up ready to work.
I’m learning the hard way that my future is being built in the small decisions I make today.
Start now.
Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with me for Senior night, special shoutout to my mom for decorating and baking I love you @sweet1_83 not done yet playoff’s start Tuesday 💪🏾 #4