In these past few days, I’ve noticed high school graduation pictures have continued to pop up on my social media feed; signaling a closed chapter for the Class of 2019. In reflecting a bit, it had been a good final year for the local basketball studs down in Richmond, VA. Guys finished off their respective careers with a bang by earning personal recognition and helping their team to garner notable wins. In addition, a handful of privileged standouts received opportunities to continue their playing careers at the next level, as quite a few commitments emerged this spring. I can recall graduation as one of the most satisfying moments of my high school experience. Nothing beats that feeling of knowing you put in work and stayed the course to finally walk the stage and grab that well-deserved diploma.
To the young men and women graduating, definitely make sure to relish the moment and enjoy your summer days before the next phase of college arrives. However, that particular group of players who have committed to a college program will obviously need to approach their summer a bit differently. I’m sure the majority of them already know, but these next few months of preparation for next-level basketball are some of the most important of your career. That notion becomes even greater for those not required to report to their campus early for off-season workouts and/or summer classes, in contrast to the high-level NCAA players. How much more developed and prepared you’ll become for the upcoming challenges of college hoops all depends on how relentlessly you embrace the grind; I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before: “there is no off-season.”
I figured I’d take some time to hand out bits of advice to those still trying to figure out a proper structure for these next couple of months. This specifically applies to all incoming freshmen who will soon arrive on the college basketball scene later this year. Some of it may already sound familiar but I’ve nonetheless had the privilege to learn from my own past playing experience and in conversations with coaches/players.
Adjusting Schedules
Arguably the most important (and one of the biggest challenges) of living as a college athlete pertains to time management. I’ve stated in the past that all levels seem to revolve around the same daily setup of class, practice, individual skill sessions, strength/conditioning workouts, study hall, team film sessions, and even more to do before your head hits the pillow for the day. Those 24 hours become quite occupied once players arrive on campus; especially when the season begins. With that acknowledgement continuing its everlasting existence, I recommend to get ahead of the game by keeping your summer days relatively busy. Now, some like to go by a layout of what they have planned for each day while others settle for whatever can be accomplished before the sun rises again. Honestly, the former may appear as the more ideal option for success but, in my eyes, the key is to just act as productive as possible. I understand that job shifts can interfere with schedules too. Still, making the most of your basketball summer involves at least two workouts per day…sometimes three; a strategy that needs to happen about 4-5 times each week. The times don’t really matter but consistently going through multiple workouts a day needs to become a regular routine, if not already. This will help you not feel too surprised when, come season time, your coach has you scheduled for workouts in between classes. Players who choose to live in the gym always seem to end up as the superior ones.
GET IN THE WEIGHT ROOM
Obviously, the gym serves as the first location for hard work. Nevertheless, and I remember hearing this from countless peers and coaches upon graduating from high school, dedicating yourself to the weight room plays a role that holds a heaviness likewise to improving basketball skill. This mainly goes for the time period right now of transitioning from high school to college. In high school, players can pretty much get away with not paying too much attention to weightlifting. Stepping in between those college lines, however, brings grown men with it on the opposing end…and boy, do they play physical. Being able to defend and battle through that physicality constantly proves as one of the most difficult aspects for next-level newcomers on a yearly basis. Often, they don’t discover the weight room’s importance until after a year of play, which is why I advise you all to start taking it seriously now. Most feel three days of weightlifting, weekly, should do basketball players justice. Maintaining an emphasis on strengthening all parts of the body, especially the core, must happen. The aim isn’t to become bulky but more powerful and explosive. Those who fuse conditioning and speed work into their lifting workouts should see noticeable results.
Seek Out the Best Runs
Ok, so, up to this point, the designed schedule looks like: multiple workouts a day (4-5 times a week) with weightlifting and speed/conditioning (around three days weekly). We can’t forget another imperative area of 5v5 full-court play. I also see this finding a need to take place about 3-4 times during the week. Sometimes, players can get up shots in the morning before playing in the evening. Or compete in afternoon games, followed by an evening lift. Or just solely hoop on the weekends. Whatever the case may be, I and others have always acknowledged full-court runs as the closest players will get to playing in an actual season game. Finding pickup games that will BENEFIT you has to happen too though. It all starts with the level of competition. Players can easily go about their way to bring friends to a local rec gym and play against below-average competition. That’s not a necessary step to get better. Determining the best organized open gyms and possible adult leagues against exceptional talent proves the most worthwhile in improving your game. Ask around where other college hoopers and/or older, stronger players hold these sessions. That’ll help in becoming more used to physical play and building up your basketball endurance. Getting in successful pickup action sometimes brings a challenge but there’s no denying that partaking in games must occur with the same consistency of gym workouts. From what I’ve learned, one truly becomes more comfortable on the court by purely PLAYING.
What’s On Your Plate'
Don’t worry, I’m not here to lecture about what foods strictly need to go in your diet. Metabolism works differently for each of us, so calories and amounts of food always vary. With that being said, just make sure you’re smart in what you eat. I didn’t learn the importance of nutrition until about midway in my college career. Those aforementioned weightlifting workouts will require protein and vegetables to enter your system if you wish to see those gains truly appear. Late-night trips to fast food spots only slow down the process of those same results happening, pretty dramatically for some. I won’t sugarcoat it in understanding that temptations will come into form…they always do, regardless if you’re on campus in a nice town or back at home. Staying disciplined to treat your body in a likewise manner to your skill/physical development separates the good athletes from the great ones. Including my own situation, I can’t tell you how many times other players I’ve been around have remarked about feeling tremendously better once they started to improve eating habits. Body transformation makes everything else about the game fall into line easier.
Oh, but I must say, be ready to give up soda, if that’s a go-to beverage at the moment. It seems like every college coach in America implements that rule on the first day. Water’s your best friend.
Getting Your Mind Right
You can follow this advice to get prepared in all ways possible, physically, but preparing your mental frame will result as the deciding factor. Simply put, college ball is no cakewalk. Frustration, fatigue, uncertainty, etc. all share the same chance of happening, more so during the first year. It’s a HUGE step and transition from high school. Frankly, all of your accomplishments in those years of high school will remain special forever but they don’t mean anything once entering the college fold. Sometimes, players see this as an advantage since they can start over and make a name for themselves; erasing any negative memories of past playing experience. However you may look at it, I just say to use these next few months as opportunity for contemplation. Think to yourself: What habits, good and bad, did I have on the court during high school' What areas of the game did I struggle with the most' How do I handle stress and/or pressure' What am I struggling with right now in getting ready for college' What type of role might I play next season as a freshman' Taking time in finding answers to those questions doesn’t just happen overnight. Just stay patient and true to the process.
Summer always tends to fly by quick and the 2019-20 college hoops season will tip-off before we know it! No need to rush things, however. Keep spending time wisely to perfect that craft and become a valuable asset to your new team. You’ve made it this far and it’s only the beginning.