Basketball: "That's Gonna Leave a Mark"

"Leave an impression." - Samuel L. Jackson, MasterClass

The game leaves marks on us, legal and otherwise. 

We also leave marks on players. How we connect with them defines us. Semi Ojeleye shared thoughts on Brad Stevens, "For me it just means that he's actually what he talks about. He talks about family, he talks about being together, he talks about having each others' backs in more than just basketball, and this was a great moment for him to show the kind of character that he has."

Reviewing a game or activity, find enduring lessons. Coaching careers have indelible marks to share. 

Zoe made the best EYE CONTACT of any player I ever met. She came from a basketball family. 

Bella comforted a player who had taken responsibility for a loss. "We win together and we lose together." 

Lily always brings a smile to practice and games. It's a KID'S GAME. "Never be a child's last coach." 

Cecilia took NO PLAYS OFF. Playing hard is a skill.  

Players BUILD A LEGACY as the first to arrive and the last to leave. You told her something once and she had it in her toolbox. I look forward to hearing from Ensign Joyce after she graduates from Annapolis next summer.  

The smallest players can bring the most TOUGHNESS. "Don't get screened." Shannon could go over a screen like nobody I've ever seen. 

Too many players to count brought GRATITUDE to the court. 

Every team needs a GLUE GUY. Meg wasn't tall, quick, or highly skilled but she made the right plays at the right time and got on the floor in crunch time. 

Brittany didn't care about scoring, but cared about stops. She was the best HELP DEFENDER I've coached, able to dig, double, help, recover, and rotate.  

Outstanding players are students of the game. Samantha filled her NOTEBOOK and has four D1 scholarship offers entering her junior year. 

We help players make memories and they make ours, too. 

Lagniappe: Louisville Men's Basketball Newsletter

Lagniappe 2: One of the stories I remember best from this summer came from a coach whose player missed two free throws at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. His team put together a great overtime, because they didn't want that player to feel responsible for a loss.