Basketball: Players Are Pitching Themselves on and Off the Court

 As a player you are pitching yourself. We're recruiting a player, watching a game, collecting information. We have measurables and intangibles. Among the best are "one-word pitches." If you think search, the word is _______. Google. If you think soft drinks, it's Coke. Maybe the word that describes you is ELITE or GRINDER. But you never want it to be SOFT or LAZY. 

Measurables. Size and "athleticism" jump off the page when evaluating a player. Damon Runyan's quote reminds us, "The race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way." A player may play "bigger" than their size, but size and athleticism still impose limits. 

Coaches want explosiveness. Explosiveness creates separation and great players win in space. First step quickness creates edges. Crisp passes show both vision and execution. 

Productivity blends skill and effort. "Non-shooters are always open." But skill is more than raw numbers on the stat sheet. Skill translates into the priority of "making the players around you better." Skill shows up in effective field goal percentage, assists, and rebounding. 

Communication. Are you talking on defense? Coaches assess how you interface with teammates and coaches. Pete Carril talks about lightbulbs, players whose presence illuminates the game. 

Academics. "There is no ability without eligibility." Players have to take care of business in the classroom. When you learn the complexities of the game, you have the capacity to succeed academically. When my daughters were seniors, each of the six seniors on the team achieved honor roll status. 

As a player, do you want to die on the hill of poor effort, bad body language, selfishness, or lack of impact? 

Effort. Scouts assess your effort running the floor, defensive stance and position, screening and cutting, and hustle plays like winning 50-50 balls, getting deflections, and taking charges.

"Character is job one" said former Spurs assistant and Euroleague legend Coach Etorre Messina. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Your play shows whether you respect the game, coaches, opponents, and officials. College coaches have enough headaches without taking on yours. 

Body Language. We know bad body language when we see it. The player who sulks when things are not going her way. She trails her girl down the floor in transition. She isn't paying attention in the huddle. I've seen championship games lost because a player lost focus in the huddle. Coaches know great body language, too. Thank the passer, help a teammate off the floor, greet a player as they come to the bench. 

Teamwork. Measuring teamwork isn't easy. Not passing to the open player can be a good team decision if the player knows the player will be fouled and can't shoot free throws. Does a player understand spacing (we mentioned being a steward of spacing), cut appropriately, pass willingly, and set good screens? Everyone can't be a great player. Anyone can be a great teammate. 

Toughness and Resilience. Toughness and resilience are skills. Some players and teams are capable of playing longer and playing harder than opponents. Excellent teams have the means to wear down the opposition.  

Impact. Geno Auriemma says that if an assistant has to ask whom they are watching after the first minute, that's a problem. Impact the game from the opening tap.  

Lagniappe: Being in position doesn't mean being fully engaged. Kevin Eastman is an elite teacher and NBA championship-winning assistant. 

Know your NOs. "NO middle, NO paint, NO gives, NO corner threes, NO offensive rebounds."