Athletes are Made in the Offseason

I cannot stress enough why the offseason is the most important part of the game. Not only for just being an athlete, but it's a key factor in life as well. From not knowing how to dribble to developing into a defensive point guard/ shooting guard, that all came from those extra sessions that people don't remind you to do. You do those yourself without question. It's all about physical and mental progression.

Over the years, I've learned that there are two types of athletes. There are players that like to play basketball and then there are basketball players. The difference is the mentality, hustle, and determination through failure. Furthermore, basketball players know the meaning of sacrifice. During the offseason, I traveled and played against different teams. Some easy and others were very challenging because of their skill level. I missed out on birthdays, parties, vacations, etc. because I was training for the next season.

It can feel like you're wasting your time, but it all comes through in the end. You realize that those endless hours come together like a puzzle. It becomes clear with time and patience. 

For each year, I feel like it is a journey between who you are vs where you go as an athlete.

What are my weaknesses? What about my defense could I improve on? Can I develop finishing at the rim more? All these kinds of questions come up after every season. When it comes to the game, I see people say that they want to be better but don't do anything to develop. They just talk about it but don't actually commit to a process. They see the goal but just watch it because it feels nice. I call this a 50/50 mindset.  

That usually ends up being the main situation for a lot of people. I've seen athletes that weren't good at first and then replace the best on the team because of their offseason training. I have also seen players not go Division 1 and still end up still playing overseas. Why? Because of the Offseason.

This season not only sets you up for the next challenge, but it also makes you a tougher human in life. I became stronger within my own elements of the game. Whether I was at a hoop, outside in the field, or in the weight room, I pushed myself to be better, over and over again. The same blood, sweat, and tears reflected the passion I've placed into my creative career. Endless hours of no sleep and constant designing. They are connected. 

I stopped caring about who I was supposed to play like or be like. I only focused on what I needed to do for myself and how to get there. We all have a story to tell and what you do with that time can make a difference. So, what will your offseason be like? Will you cross that finish line too? Are you a basketball player or a player that just plays basketball?

The choice is yours.