A has-been’s guide to getting ahead in junior basketball

A has-been’s guide to getting ahead in junior basketball

Google Advertisements

I turned 30 years old last year.

Ancient, I know.

But when I was a junior I played at a pretty high level of ball. I played CBL against a young Shane McDonald (New Zealand Breakers). I lined up against Troy Chaplain (Richmond Tigers) playing for Country Victoria, tried (and failed) to defend Brad Robbins in Melbourne (ex-Perth Wildcats) and went into battle against high schoolers from the west coast of the US and Canada with Alipate Carlisle (Port Adelaide Power).

 

I may not have been the best out there, but I went through the process and learned what it’s like to be just one number in a hoard of people trying to make the same twelve-man roster as I was. Looking back (hindsight is always good) I found some pointers for anyone trying to make it to the best this game has to offer. Some might seem obvious but they are all paramount to your success.

 

Get fit

I know this sounds unbelievably simple but it is crazy that players who want to make it to the highest levels of basketball don’t get fit. They just coast on their talents and that’s just a waste. Being at the highest fitness levels makes the world of difference, it gives you more jump on your jumpshot, it gives you a greater stride on your defensive stance and makes you tower over other rebounders. If you want to be the best on the court, you need to be out there for as long as physically possible and you just can’t do that if you’re sucking air.

 

To get there I cannot stress enough how much a jump program is beneficial. A jump program is an exercise program that purely targets your vertical leap and they are a godsend. There are heaps online but get one that has reviews and credentials and doesn’t skimp out on anything. And don’t be a cheapskate, pay money for a good one and stick with it. Every time I coach a team, I give them a copy of the program I’ve had for ages. It works if you stick to it.

 

Learn how to shoot

Another obvious point but it’s obviously important. Because the aim of the game is, you know, to put the ball in the basket. It’s not called basketball for nothing. Being a great shooter comes down to one thing: practice. Shoot all the time. In your spare time, go to a public court and shoot 100, 200 shots until it feels second nature. Really concentrate on your release and follow through and don’t get complacent. Go early to training and have a quick shoot around and really focus on feeling the ball leave your hand and into the net. One thing I’ve noticed from coaching and playing is that in a game most people just shoot the ball and hope it goes in but to get the best results you need to concentrate on every shot to make sure it goes in.

 

You get the ball on the wing with seven seconds on the shot clock after a failed play. Everyone else is covered, so what do you do? In this situation, you need a go to move to get a bucket. It doesn’t have to be pretty or highlight reel worthy but having something to fall back on when the clock is running down is a huge plus. It can be something as simple as a cross over dribble, a step back jump shot or a spin in the post but having a “get out of jail” move in your arsenal will definitely help in those tricky situations.

 

Learn the plays

One of the biggest pet peeves that a coach can have is a player who doesn’t know the team’s plays. Good coaches will spend a long time working out the best and most diverse set of plays for the team to succeed and then drill the plays into their player’s heads until they forget the national anthem. And when a player ends up on the wrong side of the court and the offence stops it’s infuriating. The plays are there for a reason, to get you points. Don’t be that guy, who pisses off not only his coaches but puts yourself in the dog house of your team-mates. It’s not a good look for you and most likely than not, you’ll be getting nice and comfortable with the bench until you learn them.

 

Look after yourself

Playing basketball at a high level takes its toll on the body. In some tournaments you’ll be playing every day for at least five days in a row. You’ll get banged up and the body will not be happy. One of the main niggles is blisters and boy do they hurt when they pop. Make friends with strapping tape if you feel sore somewhere and don’t be a hero and try to play through soreness or an injury without any precautions. Saying “she’ll be right” will absolutely come back to bite you so the quicker you take measures to protect yourself the better you’ll play.

 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you want to get to the kind of level of competition where there is a chance you could be paid to play; you can’t slack off.  To get there, it starts now.  If you have a choice between pizza and something healthy, go healthy.  If you have a choice between playing video games or go for a run, you know which one is the best option.  If you slack off, then there are thousands of other people who are very willing to take your place.  Go hard or go home, as they say.

Kyle Abbott (88 Posts)

Kyle has barracked for the North Melbourne Giants, Victoria Titans, Victoria Giants and the South Dragons. He's hoping the Melbourne United don't fold like the rest of them


Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • 2024–25 NBL Salary Breakdown: Cap vs Cash for Every Team

    NBL25: Salary Spend Revealed for Every Team ESPN has compiled detailed salary and spending data for the 2024–25 NBL season, giving fans and analysts a unique look at how teams managed their budgets on the road to a championship. While some clubs leaned into the NBL’s flexible salary rules and pushed their spending past the cap in pursuit of success, others stayed conservative — with three franchises failing to even hit the league's salary floor. Understanding the System The NBL operates under a soft salary…

    READ MORE
  • Nick Horvath on the 2009 Dragons vs Tigers Championship and Becoming the Author of an Action Hero

    Nick Horvath joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—becoming the only player to ever win a NBL, NZNBL and NCAA championship. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. We go deep on the South Dragons’ fiery 2009 Grand Final clash with the Melbourne Tigers, including the now-infamous Game 3 brawl and Chris Anstey’s ejection. Horvath shares…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Teams Eye Chinese Star Lin Wei Amid NBA Draft Buzz

    Chinese basketball standout Lin Wei is emerging as one of the most intriguing international prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft—and he's already drawing serious interest from NBL heavyweights. The Sydney Kings and Melbourne United are currently leading the race to sign the dynamic guard should he not land on an NBA roster this offseason. Wei, a 191 cm, 85 kg combo guard, recently declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is viewed as a borderline second-round candidate. While he’s intent on chasing his NBA…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Free Agent Tracker

    Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…

    READ MORE
  • Adam Caporn’s Vision for the Boomers: Merging Goorjian and Lemanis’ Success

    With Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team. In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World…

    READ MORE
  • Luke Kendall on developing basketball in India, 2006 FIBA World Champs & Sydney’s 2005 NBL Title

    Former NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…

    READ MORE
  • Larry Kestelman Says Geelong Deserves an NBL Team But Is Missing a Real Estate Component

    The possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…

    READ MORE
  • The Wollongong Hawks’ 2001 NBL Championship: The defining moment of an underdog’s rise

    There have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…

    READ MORE
sekolahtoto

depo 5k

sekolahtoto

situs togel

Fitur dan layanan dari toto togel 4D difokuskan pada kemudahan bagi pengguna untuk mengakses dan bertransaksi

sekolahtoto merupakan situs gaming provider lengkap terbaik yang dimainkan secara online.

sekolahtoto sebagai situs togel ruang bermain penuh keseruan bagi pemain yang sedan menikmati permainan togel online.

sekolahtoto merupakan situs pemersatu bangsa yang menyatukan pemain togel online.

sekolahtoto sebagai tempat hiburan toto slot online resmi.

menyediakan pasaran-pasaran toto togel yang dapat dijangkau secara international.

Para bettor online yang bergabung dengan Sekolahtoto mendapatkan keuntungan unik dari situs togel dan slot gacor deposit 5000 terbaik ini.

sekolahtoto merupakan tempat permainan togel online yang resmi di Indonesia.

sekolahtoto yang merupakan situs togel yang memiliki prasmanan togel online terpercaya berisikan pasaran-pasaran populer.

pilihan terbaik situs slot resmi yang menyediakan bet 100 perak di semua permainan slot online.

Pada tahun 2025, bo togel SEKOLAHTOTO menjadi pilihan tepat untuk kamu yang sedang mencari bo togel online terbesar dan terpercaya di Asia.