Professionalism plays everywhere - home, school, work, and sport. It means doing things the right way, each time, all the time.
When Michael Jordan was at Carolina, he told assistant coach Roy Williams, “I’ll work as hard as any player ever at Carolina.” Williams answered, “You have to work harder than that.”
Professionalism is the pursuit of better than your best, even when no one is watching.
Young players can learn professionalism. What does professionalism look like?
Attitude
Punctuality
Preparation
Continual Learning
Communication
Collaboration
Leadership
Self-Care
Balance
Attitude
“Control what you can control” - your attitude, choices, and effort.
Everything starts here. You cannot build a positive life with a negative attitude.
A professional mindset says: No excuses. No shortcuts. Next play.
Punctuality
Be ready - physically and mentally - when practice begins. In Above the Line, Urban Meyer expected players to be prepared the moment they “crossed the red line” onto the field. Basketball players should step between the lines already stretched, focused, and locked in.
Punctuality is respect - for teammates, coaches, and the game.
Preparation
Know the team philosophy, the big picture, and the small details of both offense and defense. You cannot execute if you do not understand your role - and how your role fits with the roles of your teammates.
Preparation eliminates confusion. Preparation builds confidence. Preparation wins close games.
Continual Learning
Be coachable. Be curious. Learn every day. Listen to understand, not just to respond. Ask questions. Study film. Seek ways to sharpen your craft.
“Because we’ve always done it this way” is not a viable answer.
Professionals find ways to improve what they already do well.
Communication
Great teams excel at communication—verbal, nonverbal, and emotional.
Talk on defense. Echo calls. Point, signal, connect. Communication energizes teammates and moves them into the right spots at the right time.
Do not criticize, dismiss, or bait opponents online. Your online life can follow you indefinitely.
Quiet teams lose. Connected teams win.
Collaboration
Teamwork is not merely working together - it is elevating the people around you. Know what a good shot is for you and what a good shot is for each teammate. Know when not to deliver the ball and where not to move so you don’t compromise spacing.
Professionals make the game easier for the other four players on the floor.
Leadership
You do not need a title to lead.
Lead by being consistent, coachable, positive, and dependable. Lead by supporting teammates. Lead by refusing to be a distraction.
Leadership is not loud - it is steady.
Self-Care
Self-care is part of your job. Strength and conditioning, hydration, nutrition, and post-practice recovery matter. And sleep - athletes need at least eight hours to perform at their best.
Professionals treat their body as their instrument.
Balance
Balance is the hidden fuel of high performance. Balance school and sport, work and home. Balance courage between recklessness and fear. Balance confidence between arrogance and doubt.
Lagniappe. Alan Stein, Jr. with a great piece on complete player evaluation.
When I watch basketball, and I’m informally and unconsciously evaluating a player, regardless of talent or skill (which are obviously paramount), here are the 10 questions I ask myself:
— Alan Stein, Jr. (@AlanSteinJr) November 21, 2025
Does he play hard
Does he have a good attitude
Is he a good teammate
Does he listen to his… pic.twitter.com/uOFNX6TMsr
Lagniappe 2. An excerpt from Bill Bradley's "Life on the Run" (1976)
"The important thing about a last-second shot is not just to make it but to have five guys willing to take it; ready to shoulder the responsibility."
