Star Wars partly reflects from the "Hero's Journey" of story and mythology over millennia.
It is not the sole domain of men, for example, inhabited by Ellen Ripley (Alien), Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games trilogy), and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman).
In the Star Wars series, the hero (Luke) and heroine (Leia) navigate the journey with companions and character. What values and responses translate to our athletic journey?
The Hero's Journey isn't really about basketball. It's about transformation. The athlete begins as an outsider, encounters adversity, gains mentors, endures trials, returns changed, and ultimately gives something back.
1. Bill Russell - The Revolutionary Champion
Ordinary World: Cut from his junior high basketball team. Awkward, raw, and overlooked. Saddled with limited offensive skills.
Trials: Faced racism throughout his life, from Louisiana to college and suburban Boston. Even now, some demean his competition although he faced the greatest physical big man in history.
Transformation: Revolutionized defense, rebounding, and winning. 14 championships (including 11 NBA) in 15 years (NCAA x 2, Olympics).
Return: Eleven championships and a redefinition of what greatness means. The greatest winner in team sports history.
Lesson: The hero is often underestimated before he is celebrated.
2. Stephen Curry - The Rejected Prospect
Ordinary World: Son of an NBA player but overlooked by major programs.
Trials: Too small. Too weak. Too slow. He rejected being repeatedly told what he couldn't do.
Transformation: Develops unprecedented shooting skill.
Return: Changes how basketball is played worldwide. Sometimes that can seem like too much of a good thing.
Lesson: Skill can rewrite the limits imposed by others.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo - From Street Vendor to MVP
Ordinary World: Selling goods on the streets of Athens to help support his family.
Trials: Poverty, uncertainty, immigration issues, limited basketball exposure.
Transformation: Develops from a skinny prospect into one of the most dominant players in the world.
Return: NBA champion and MVP who continually speaks about gratitude and family.
Lesson: Humility often survives success as struggle shaped the journey.
4. Michael Jordan - The Famous Cut
Ordinary World: Talented but not yet special.
Call to Adventure: Being cut from varsity as a sophomore.
Trials: Constant pursuit of improvement. A product of hard work at Carolina under Dean Smith and assistant Roy Williams.
Transformation: Becomes perhaps among the greatest competitors in sports history.
Return: Sets the standard for excellence.
Lesson: Failure often becomes fuel.
5. Dennis Rodman — The Invisible Man
Ordinary World: Perhaps the most dramatic basketball Hero's Journey. High school bench player, working as a janitor after graduation.
Trials: Poverty, loneliness, rudderless.
Transformation: Sudden growth spurt, junior college, NAIA basketball, then NBA.
Return: Played on five NBA Champions, 7 times first team All-NBA defense and one second team. Hall of Famer and one of the greatest rebounders ever.
Lesson: Talent sometimes arrives late.
Becky Hammon — The Barrier Breaker
Ordinary World: Undersized player overlooked by major powers.
Trials: Undrafted, constant skepticism.
Transformation: WNBA star, NBA assistant coach, championship coach.
Return: Opens doors for future generations.
Lesson: Sometimes the hero's gift is creating a path for others.
Each Hero's Journey is unique although with common threads. Keep our eyes open and see them all around us - Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Curt Cignetti. Study them so that we can act as "anteambulos" - clearing paths for those around us and finding canvases for others to paint.
Lagniappe. Former Belichick confidant Ernie Adams kept a sign on his desk, "Stamp out bad football." What sign belongs on ours? "Stamp out bad shots" is one idea.
“Bad shots will beat you faster than anything else" - Rick Majerus pic.twitter.com/QRzUMPEzdJ
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) May 27, 2026
