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Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Basketball - Close Inspiration Gaps

Age creates gaps between young leaders and old lions. Old leaders express a preference for history, memoirs, and politics. What inspires youthful leaders navigating uncharted waters?

Inspiration is uniquely personal. Inspiration is the surfboard helping the rider transform the power and danger of the wave into the thrill and experience of the ride.

Inspiration, like coaching, technology (e.g. video, shooting machines, analytics), and teamwork, is a force multiplier, helping the whole become more than the sum of the parts. 

Inspiration per se is never enough. preparation and perspiration translate that doesn't might be into reality. 

Candidly, I don't know what best inspires student-athletes. I suspect that factors that worked over fifty years ago (praise, positivity, personal attention, trust, encouragement) still work. 

What elements propel students athletes toward high performers?

Coaching

"Everyone benefits from coaching." - Sean McVay  This has become a go-to quote. It simplifies Atul Gawande's Checklist Manifesto and The Coach in the Operating Room. The proof may arise from skepticism about anyone who says that they know everything worth knowing. Great coaches inspire and eager athletes inspire coaches. 

Mentors

Mentors coach but aren't necessarily 'domain-specific'. In the masterful Finding Forrester, Sean Connery mentors young Jamal Wallace. Connery finds friendship and renewed joy in writing as a mentor, while Wallace pursues both basketball and scholarship at an elite private school. "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." 

Teammates

Teammates can elevate, inspire, and frustrate us. Supposedly, Duke's Christian Laettner would inbound the ball a few feet away from Bobby Hurley to annoy him. In Teammates Matter, walk-on Alan Williams shares how much teammates meant to him at Wake Forest. 

In our professional lives, we encounter all kinds of teammates - supportive and diligent and fortunately few who inspire, "don't let the door hit you on the backside on your way out." Be the former. 

Models

As a young ensign, I attended Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, RI for a summer. Our company commander was LT Unruh, relentlessly positive and a terrific model for young officers. 

Upperclassmen have vital roles for young players, showing them the proverbial ropes, "this is how we do it." You don't need star status to influence teammates profoundly. Remember both the Golden and the Silver Rule. The Silver Rule says, "Do not treat others in a way you would not want them to treat you." Don't bigfoot young players...or anyone. 

Reading

What books inspire young adults, student-athletes, or have inspired you? 

ChatGPT Plus proposed this initial list:

Here’s a clean, no-frills list — five books that are widely credited with inspiring student-athletes across sports:

  1. Once an Eagle — Anton Myrer (too long, a standard for military academy students, check a summary)

  2. Wooden — John Wooden (timeless)

  3. Mindset — Carol Dweck (a summary would suffice)

  4. Legacy — James Kerr (one of my favorite books)

  5. The Inner Game of Tennis — W. Timothy Gallwey (I'd substitute "The Four Agreements") 

It generated a second list specifically for high schoolers. Here’s a tight list that lands well with teenagers:

  1. Mindset — Carol Dweck

  2. The Inner Game of Tennis — W. Timothy Gallwey

  3. Legacy — James Kerr

  4. Chop Wood Carry Water — Joshua Medcalf

  5. The Boys in the Boat — Daniel James Brown

I've read all except "Mindset" but reviewed the principles. The Boys in the Boat is another favorite. FWIW, I've read "Legacy" three times and "Chop Wood, Carry Water" twice. 

What are you reading today? 

Experience

Nobody escapes the influence of personal experience. Watching Geno Auriemma and the UCONN women practice (Breanna Stewart et al.) was amazing. Many of you cherish your first varsity selection, first appearance, and ideally on court success. Embrace the best of times and try to learn from others. 

Eventually, we become our own coach. Find inspiration as fuel for your journey. 

Lagniappe. Life. 

Lagniappe 2. Transition. 

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