Every Serious Athlete Has a Decision to Make

If you want to become a serious athlete, there is a choice you have to make: 

Are you willing to endure the pain of the journey for the possibility of success?

The pain of athletics is real. Disappointment, injuries, unmet expectations, disagreements with coaches, difficult teammate relationships, the pressure of competition and, sometimes, the complications that come with parental involvement. 

Sports can be messy, and despite all the work you put in, things may not turn out the way you hoped. The scholarship may not come. The championship may slip away. The dream you chased may look different than you imagined.

NBC Camps Founder Fred Crowell often reminded athletes that if they chose to play high school sports, they should be prepared for the pain that comes with them. He also offered a perspective that cuts to the heart of what sports are supposed to accomplish:

“If this sport isn't making you a better person, then go find something that will.”

It’s easy to get enamored with the trophies, tournaments, championships, scholarships, and now, NIL deals. Those are exciting possibilities, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing them. But how often do we embrace the less glamorous side of becoming a great athlete?

The daily repetitions, the fundamental drills, the extra work when nobody is watching. The seemingly endless work on the little things that rarely draw applause. It can be boring, monotonous, and lonely. Yet that is where so much of the growth happens. The willingness to embrace the grind, to keep doing the work when nobody is keeping score, is one of the things that separates good athletes from great ones.

The same is true in life.

Sports teach us how to respond to adversity, how to work with people who are different from us, how to handle disappointment, and how to put something bigger than ourselves ahead of our own interests. They introduce us to coaches who challenge us, teammates who become lifelong friends, and moments that shape our character in ways we don't recognize until years later.

The challenge is not to miss the journey while chasing the destination.

Don't let the season fly by without appreciating it. Be present for this practice, this game, this drill, this bus ride. Appreciate the teammate beside you, even when things aren't going well. Learn from the coach who pushes you. Embrace the hard days, because they are teaching you something that a trophy never could.

You may or may not accomplish everything you set out to do as an athlete. But years from now, when the games are over and the uniforms are packed away, ask yourself: 

Am I grateful for the person this sport helped me become?

Ultimately, you are not defined solely by your success as an athlete. You are defined, in part, by the character you develop, the relationships you build, and the lessons you carry into the rest of your life.

Chase excellence, pursue your goals, and do the hard work that sports require.

Just don't forget what the journey is meant to build along the way.

Read more about how your attitude affects your athletic journey.

NBC Camps proudly welcomes athletes of all backgrounds, faiths, and walks of life. Guided by Christian principles, our staff delivers a universal message centered on integrity, character, respect, perseverance, and service. We believe focusing on these core values helps young athletes excel—not just as players, but as exceptional teammates, leaders, and people in their communities.

About NBC Basketball Camps
NBC Camps started as Northwest Basketball Camp in 1971, now 55 years later we are in six countries and run hundreds of weeks of camp each summer. Find a camp or training program that fits you. Learn more at www.nbccamps.com or call 1-800-406-3926.