Tim Kolnitys

Let’s talk about a real truth for all the basketball parents out there: You can’t want your kid to play ball more than THEY do. As parents, it’s natural to dream big, to see our children hitting those game-winning shots or earning college scholarships and doing what we couldn’t. But remember—passion can’t be forced, & every child is unique. If you’re dragging them to practices, signing them up for camps & showcases they’re not excited about, & pushing them to train harder than they want, take a step back. Basketball should be fun. It should be THEIR choice, THEIR spark, THEIR journey. Your love & enthusiasm can encourage & open doors, but it’s not fair—or good for their mental health—to push them past their own limits & desires. Kids need to find their own reasons to play, whether it’s for the love of the game, friendship, fitness, or competition. When motivation has to come from you, it’s not sustainable. Support, guide, listen, & be present. Cheer loud. Pick them up when they’re down. Don’t yell at them, their coaches or the refs.  True growth happens when they’re playing for themselves—not for anyone else.  There is a reason why only about 1% of student athletes go on to play in college—the drive, discipline, & desire must come from within the player themselves. On top of that, the NIL process has completely changed recruiting. Top prospects now have the ability to earn sponsorship deals, & this has made the process even more competitive. Add in the transfer portal, & you have college coaches offering fewer scholarships to high school athletes, favoring experienced transfers or waiting to see how their roster shakes out. They are also choosing players who will help them keep their jobs.  These changes mean that not only are fewer high school students getting offers, but those offers are coming later in the process than ever before. The best thing you can do is help your child discover what they truly love, on & MOST IMPORTANTLY off the court, & support them as they navigate through THEIR journey.