COLUMN: An ode to pickup basketball
The summer is over. AAU basketball is in the rear-view mirror.
Academics is the main focus and training during down time before fall practices begin.
For many kids, that means pickup basketball is the best way to grind and earn valuable on the court experience.
I have been around the game of basketball for quite some time. Starting at age 4, I played for my dad, who coached for many years at the YMCA. I was passionate about the game until the 9th grade when I realized that focusing on my studies and just being a teenager was more essential. Simply put, I knew basketball wasn’t a long term plan.
These past few weeks before and after Hurricane Irma, I’ve decided to take up playing pickup basketball with a good friend and it has been an eye opening experience.
My shot is rusty and my energy level is slow. That was at first at least. My energy level quickly rose playing against high school players who happened to be in the gym with school closed. There were many 5-on-5 games to be played.
After the first pickup game, I thought I was done for good, but I was re-energized for the second game and I felt like I could hang around with them. I was giving a full effort on the court running and contributing on the boards.
What I noticed outside of my own game after the first day of pickup in over five years was that the kids out there certainly didn’t try 100 percent. Defense is a rarity and drives to the basket are hard to come by with players shooting 3’s routinely.
Fast forward to a few days later and it was a different group that played five-on-five and I was sweating much more in the first game. I didn’t feel that same tiredness after and wanted to play a few more games after that.
Outside of basketball being a great source of cardio, the memories of running up and down the court and being around younger talent was very enjoyable.
As a sports writer and Prep Hoops basketball scout, playing basketball is something that only ups the ante in terms of my hoops knowledge.
I look forward to playing more pickup games throughout the year and when high school season is ready, it will make me watch the game of basketball with a very keen eye. A closer eye than ever.
The fast pace and effort are what I love about basketball and for the most part, players don’t come close to giving their all in pickup games. That is allowed because no coaches or fans are around but remember there is always someone watching. Also, playing to your full potential does wonders for a young player’s confidence.
Pickup basketball is the purest form of fun in basketball that you’ll get. It’s all on you and what you make of it.
Keep playing basketball whether it is just shooting around, playing a small game of pickup or training hard. You can never get enough if you are truly committed to the game.