How can basketball help you in life

10 Physical and Emotional Benefits

Basketball is an enjoyable sport that suits many skill levels and ages, owing to its worldwide popularity.

A standard basketball team has five players per side. You can also play two-on-two or three-on-three games, or even on your own. With indoor courts, you can play basketball year-round.

The main objective of the game is to score points by shooting the ball through the hoop. You use defensive strategies to prevent the other team from scoring.

You can play basketball with a playful or competitive spirit. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to gain strength, coordination, and muscular endurance. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of a team and a larger community.

Read on to learn more about how the physical, emotional, and social benefits of playing basketball can improve your overall health and well-being. You’ll also learn how to get started if you want to pick up the game.

1. Strengthens muscular endurance

Playing basketball requires agility, strength, and stamina. You must quickly move and change directions using high-intensity, short-duration muscle contractions.

You’ll also need muscular endurance, which is the ability of muscles to repeatedly apply force for an extended period. You can increase your muscular endurance by playing basketball and doing exercises to build lower and upper body strength.

You can also focus on strengthening your core and back muscles. This will have a positive effect on your stamina, energy, levels, and performance.

2. Builds healthy bones

Playing a team sport, such as basketball, can provide unique physical and mental health benefits. Research from 2018 found that playing a team-based sport has a positive effect on bone strength.

People who played handball and football were shown to have more bone mineral density than those who were sedentary.

3. Improves balance and coordination

Playing basketball requires you to develop hand-eye and foot coordination as you maintain your balance throughout the movements. As you play, you need to move your body quickly as you jump, pivot, or change direction.

Basketball requires you to use motor skills such as shooting, passing, and dribbling. You’ll also become skilled in rebounding and defensive moves. Maintaining a strong body will help you perform all of these movements with greater ease.

4. Develops fundamental movement skills

Playing basketball offers youth the opportunity to develop the motor skills necessary for development. Research from 2018 points to the effectiveness of basketball in enhancing the fundamental movement skills that children need to learn.

Playing basketball helps to improve motor coordination, flexibility, and endurance. It also encourages speed, agility, and strength. These skills are shown to have a positive effect on promoting a healthy body weight and encouraging more physical activity, which can enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and self-esteem.

5. Improves body composition

In a 2018 study, researchers found that playing basketball had a positive effect on overall body composition. In this study, untrained men underwent 3 months of street basketball training, which had a positive effect on overall fitness and body composition. After the training, the men increased their lean body mass and lowered their body fat percentage.

6. Boosts heart health

Regular physical activity helps to improve heart health and overall fitness levels. According to research from 2019, basketball increases resting heart rates, which has a positive effect on cardiorespiratory fitness. This is linked to a lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

7. Develops self-confidence

You may develop self-confidence as you find your voice and learn more about who you are in a new situation. As a team, members can encourage, motivate, and support each other. They can also point out areas that need improvement, which can lead to positive growth.

Success on the court can extend into other areas of your life, and you may find that you have a newfound belief in yourself and your abilities.

8. Lowers stress

Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which are the feel-good, or happiness, hormones. Endorphins may boost your mood, promote relaxation, and reduce pain. They can also alleviate depression, boost self-esteem, and enhance your work performance.

Playing basketball will also help you hone your concentration skills by staying focused on the game. This may also help you develop present-moment awareness or mindfulness. These tools may be effective in allowing you to deal with anxiety in other areas of your life.

9. Encourages team spirit

Playing basketball helps foster a sense of community and teamwork. You may have the chance to positively interact with people from different backgrounds, which can broaden your perspective.

Plus, you’ll learn to play fairly and graciously regardless of the outcome of your performance. Your teammates and you can aim to be supportive, positive role models for each other.

10. Develops communication skills

As you interact with your teammates, you may learn new ways to communicate verbally and nonverbally. You’ll have the chance to talk to your teammates and listen to what they have to say.

Most likely, there will be time to communicate before, during, and after a game or practice. Whether you learn to speak up or stay silent more often, positive communication skills will bring benefits to your athletic, personal, and professional life.

Basketball is suitable for a variety of abilities and ages, making it accessible to a wide range of people. If you or your child wants to start playing basketball, there are several ways to begin.

If you want to play basketball competitively, join a team or league in your area. Check out local athletic or basketball clubs or sports associations. If you want to play basketball informally, you can shoot hoops on your own or with a few friends.

Here are a few basketball drills and practice ideas.

Once you find a public or private court, the only equipment you’ll need is a basketball and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Shoes designed especially for basketball are helpful, but they’re not essential. Optional safety gear includes mouth guards, knee and elbow pads, and ankle and knee braces. You can also use athletic tape and protective eyewear.

Talk to your doctor if you’re new to fitness or have any medical conditions that affect your performance. If you have injuries, especially in your shoulders, hands, or lower body, talk to a doctor.

Basketball is an excellent way to get in shape and stay active. You can play it at a moderate or strenuous intensity. Putting in some time on the courts can help you gain strength, flexibility, and endurance.

You’ll learn to move your body in different ways as you jump, pivot, and twist. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fitness-minded individuals and work on being a good teammate.

People of a variety of ages and skill levels can participate in basketball, whether it’s a neighborhood pick-up game, competitive league, or weekend tournament. You’ll be certain to gain satisfaction as you reap the benefits of the game, progress on your own path, and most importantly, have fun.

How Basketball Helps You In Life: Life Lessons

We all know that basketball is a great sport to play. But did you know it also provides health benefits? Did you know it’s good for your body, mind, and spirit? In short, basketball help you in life so much with so many health benefits and life lessons from playing this sport. We want to share our insights with you in the following blog post.

1. Physical Health Benefits from Playing Basketball

2. Mental Health Benefits from Playing Basketball

3. What Life Lessons Can You Learn from Basketball?

4. Conclusion

5. Here are Some of our Favourite Basketball Sneakers

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Physical Health Benefits from Playing Basketball

Health benefits from basketball are massive! Playing basketball is a great way to keep health benefits such as weight loss and staying fit. Running, jumping, shooting hoops is an excellent workout for your body. It also helps with your cardiovascular health by boosting blood flow in the body which strengthens your heart muscles.

Motor Coordination, Flexibility, and Endurance

Starting, it helps to improve motor coordination and flexibility. First of all, you have to learn the techniques such as dribbling skills – which require hand-eye coordination.

From there, it progresses into learning different moves like passing or shooting from a range of distance. The same applies to defense by doing certain maneuvers that will prevent your opponent from scoring baskets.

Basketball also helps with flexibility by stretching your limbs to reach that high ball. It’ll make you more flexible and agile. Flexibility is important in basketball because it allows players to perform better with their maneuvers and assists them when they’re fatigued throughout the game.

Lastly, basketball is great for improving endurance because players are always running up and down the court at their best pace without stopping during game time action!

Speed, Agility, and Strength

Moving onto speed, agility, and strength, basketball is great for improving your speed by having to run around the court. Basketball helps you with quickness. Because of all that sprinting and fast movements, you do throughout the game.

Also, it improves agility in players who usually dribble or make maneuvers during game time. Agility will help them change direction when they’re running towards the basket so they can score more points.

Finally, basketball also builds up your muscles – especially legs which are used to jump high up for those rebounds and blocks. Your legs are a key factor in this sport because you have to jump high up the court and stay above your opponent.

Mental Health Benefits from Playing Basketball

Nowadays mental health has become a big issue. Many health professionals recognize that mental health is as important as physical health. Basketball can help you with your emotional and psychological well-being. Because it teaches players to be good leaders, teammates, followers, communicators, and motivators.

Relieving Stress and Anxiety

Players who play basketball can improve their mental health by relieving stress and anxiety. Because it provides an outlet for them. The physical benefits of playing this sport also help calm you down, making your feel more relaxed than before.

Becoming a Leader

As a leader on the team because of their talents or skillset – they must learn how to lead by example which does not involve being negative towards teammates but instead encouraging them for better teamwork.

Boost Confidence

In addition, basketball also helps boost confidence in players who have been practicing hard throughout practices & games so they will feel more confident out there playing against others! This way no one player feels isolated from the team when making mistakes during game time action. In other words, everyone has each other’s backs all the time! In this sport, players must have a positive mindset as they play the game because there are always going to be those days where your opponent is on top of their A-game and ready to defeat you.

Communication

It helps players to develop good communication skills because they’re constantly communicating with the coaching staff and teammates throughout practices & games.

Be a Motivator!

Basketball also teaches you how to be a great motivator towards your team members by being encouraging during game time action – for example, giving them advice on what’s going wrong or right during their plays.

At the same time, it also encourages your self-motivation which is important when things aren’t working out well in practice or even at home! You can motivate yourself by telling yourself that “you have this” so just go do it!

Problem-Solving Skills

Lastly, it also helps with problem-solving skills. Basketball utilizes decision-making abilities for players to succeed during tough situations such as time management when trying to score points before the final buzzer goes off. Without these capabilities, one will not be able to lead his or her team towards victory! It doesn’t only benefit your mental health, basketball help you in life in many other ways also, more to come!

What Life Lessons Can You Learn from Basketball?

Basketball is not just a game, it’s also an individual journey that teaches valuable life lessons! Here are some of our insights on what you can learn from basketball:

Teamwork  

Working with others for one common goal will help strengthen relationships along the way so there’ll be less conflict between players. It’s important to rely on each other during difficult times which helps build stronger team dynamics. In addition, being part of a group demonstrates how teamwork pays off when everyone works together towards achieving something meaningful that benefits them all as well.

Discipline and Commitment

As a player, you have to be committed and disciplined with your practice time. You can’t expect to get better overnight! It takes dedication and hard work every day for players to improve their skills. There will always be bad days but it’s important not to give up on yourself or let others bring you down because there’ll be bumps along the way that only help strengthen us as individuals.

Leadership Skills 

Basketball provides an opportunity where leadership is needed among teammates, whether they’re experienced veterans who’ve been playing since high school or newbies just starting at the college level. Leaders are typically those who want things done right without any problems arising during practices and games so everyone has fun while working together towards achieving their goals.

Goal Setting

Everyone plays basketball for a reason, whether it’s to win games or just be part of the team with your friends! The path is not always easy but setting attainable goals will help you get there eventually because hard work pays off when everyone sticks together no matter what.

You can’t accomplish anything without any action steps in place so make sure they’re achievable and reasonable enough to keep track of along the way! Also, aim high by aiming higher than last time until you reach that goal you’ve set.

Conclusion

In conclusion, basketball help you in life so much and it is an amazing sport that teaches life lessons to those who are willing to learn! We want you all out there reading this post right now, whether or not your favorite player is Lebron James or Stephen Curry, we hope they inspire you and motivate you to work harder towards achieving something meaningful in your lives. It doesn’t matter if it’s the playoffs or something else in life; every day counts because it can change everything. So don’t give up on yourself and remember: “You got this! Keep going!”

How do you think basketball can help you in life in any other way? Share your story with us, or leave a comment below

Here are Some of our Favourite Basketball Sneakers

Here we will be giving more of an opinion, rather than facts. Are the sneakers worth the price that they are being sold at? Should you upgrade from your current sneakers, depending on what boots you own? What features stand out on these sneakers? If any. Does it do the job? Speed, control, stability etc. Depending on your needs/preferences. We can also mention its durability, if we have collected enough data on the specific sneakers.

What did we expect vs. what we got. Is it maybe overrated/underrated?

Elite

Here’s our pick from the very best of the bunch.

Pro

On your way to the pro leagues? Here’s our pick.

Beginner

Want something to start with? Have a look at our pick.

Basketball for children - what is useful, at what age to play

Basketball is one of the most popular sports games. Basketball for children is considered one of the early sports, because kids can be enrolled in the first lessons from the age of 3. But the most important advantage of basketball is its accessibility.

Sections for children are available in schools and neighborhood clubs, and classes are often free. And if you are not ready to give the child to the section, just buy him a ring and a ball and hang it on your site and the kid will already be busy in sports, which means he will get the maximum benefit for development.

Benefits of basketball for children, what qualities it develops

Before sending a child to a section, parents should know how basketball is useful for children and what qualities it develops.

First of all, like any team sport, basketball develops social skills. Working in a team, children learn to help each other, care about common interests and work for the good of the team.

Moreover, this basketball is an excellent emotional release. It helps the guys throw out negative energy and get positive emotions. Along with this, character is tempered during classes, and the child learns to go towards the goal, sacrificing his own desires and needs.

Basketball also helps to get rid of complexes. This is especially true for tall girls who are noticeably taller than their peers. In a team where all players are taller than average, the girls no longer feel like a black sheep, but gain self-confidence and begin to be proud of their height.

The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child

The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child is also strong. First of all, the guys involved in this sport develop endurance, and all muscle groups are strengthened. Basketball practice - these are jumping, running, swinging arms, tilts and squats, which allow you to develop all muscle groups and strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

In addition to the general health benefits, basketball will also help prevent the development of certain diseases that result from an inactive lifestyle.

What's more, basketball develops:

• Overview of vision. Due to the fact that the player must constantly keep an eye on the ball and other players, the field of view is improved. Children learn to manage peripheral vision and train their eyes;
• Reaction speed. Often during a match, an athlete must make lightning-fast decisions on which the outcome of the game depends. This helps children learn to respond quickly to emergency situations;
• Mindfulness. Through intense play, attention and memory develop, which not only has a beneficial effect on the playground, but also in studies and everyday life.

Given these facts, the question of what basketball gives a child can be answered that classes will strengthen physical, mental and mental health. That is why basketball is often recommended to children suffering from reduced attention and weak immunity. But not all children can benefit from basketball, you can find out what kind of sport is suitable for a child here.

Does playing basketball make children grow

It is often said that basketball makes children grow, but is it really true? Recent studies have shown that yes, indeed, he can help the baby grow up, but is not able to grow a giant out of him.

The increase in height is due to the straightening of the spine, which is stretched during jumps. Also, a slight increase in growth contributes to the strengthening of the muscles of the back and legs.

But to say that basketball can significantly affect the growth of an athlete is wrong, there is no scientific justification for this.

The fact that in the sections all children are really tall is explained simply - short children simply leave this sport, because they cannot compete with tall athletes, as a result they move on to other sports, for example, volleyball, where they need both tall and undersized athletes.

At what age can a child play basketball

For preschool children, basketball is available from 3 years of age. Often this game is played in physical education classes in kindergarten. Of course, such a crumb will not be taken to the section, but at this age the child can already be introduced to the ball and the net.

Professional basketball training for children starts at the age of 5-6 years. At this age, you can enroll in a section at the sports palace, both boys and girls are accepted. The first 4-5 years the guys work out together, and only at the age of 10 the coach forms the men's and women's teams.

Basketball for beginners is more about general physical training and familiarity with the ball. In the first years of training, the coach pays special attention to the development of endurance, so most of the training takes place in the fresh air.

In the gym, the guys learn different techniques and combinations, and also learn how to hit the basket. According to statistics, it is in their youth that children are more likely to encounter injuries in basketball. This is due to not yet developed coordination and lack of skills in programming movements.

That is why sports insurance for basketball at this age is a necessity, because it will reimburse the costs of treatment and provide the young athlete with high-quality rehabilitation, which will prevent the occurrence of fatigue injuries and chronic injuries in the future.

Age characteristics of children in basketball

Age characteristics of children in basketball are a fundamental factor in drawing up a schedule and training plan.

Consider how the load of basketball players changes with age:

• 3-5 years. At this age, kids still do not know how to memorize the rules of the game and listen to the coach. All classes are held in a playful way and are aimed at developing coordination of movements and mindfulness;
• 5-7 years old. During this period, special attention is paid to the physical development and increasing the flexibility of the child. The goal of the trainer is to maximize endurance and strengthen all muscle groups. Also at this stage, children begin to learn the rules of basketball and learn various tactical and dynamic techniques;
• 7-9 years old. This is the age at which real training starts. At the age of 8, children can already participate in competitions. Now all their work is aimed at the result of the whole team. During these years, the main task of the coach is to teach the guys to interact with each other;
• 10-12 years old. At this age, men's and women's teams are formed. Now the team is becoming a real family with common goals and objectives. Most often, it is at this age that the first victories occur;
• 12-14 years old. At this age, children learn to program their movements. This is a very important stage for every basketball player, because the final result of the maneuver depends on it. At this time, the main task of the coach is to hone the movements of each player to the ideal;
• 14-16 years old. This is the time to master tactical thinking. The brain of a teenager is already ready to solve tactical problems and make quick decisions. At this moment, the coach already sees which of the guys can become a real champion;
• 16-18 years old. This is the age when a teenager must show all the acquired skills. Strong players are formed into teams to participate in important competitions. At this time, the start in a sports career begins, because the guys already have sports categories and can participate in adult competitions.

If you want to grow a real champion out of a child, a section at a school or a sports palace is a good place to start. Later, by the age of 7, the basketball section for children should be focused specifically on professional activities. Such a section can be found in any city, because this sport is very popular. You can choose a section closer to home in our catalog of sports schools and sections.

Basketball is one of the sports for children, which has a minimum of contraindications and a maximum of benefits. Classes on the playground and in the gym can be the best hobby for a child, because during the game the guys learn true friendship. Moreover, basketball for children will also help parents in raising a teenager, because the child will grow up in a healthy company and he simply will not have time for nonsense.

Go get an education, it's too late for you to become a basketball player - The Jay's - Blogs

NBA players who started playing basketball very late

We all know basketball players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. They played basketball all their lives, they were talked about even during their school years and no one was surprised by the fact that sooner or later they would get into the world's major basketball league.

But what about the players who first picked up an orange ball not at age three, but in high school, or worse, in college? What chances do they have to achieve at least some success in the basketball field, and do they exist at all?

Everyone has a chance. This is the beauty of basketball. Today we will talk about athletes who got acquainted with basketball much later than most players.

Joel Embid

When began: 2011 (15 years)

Statistics for career: 22.8 + 9.9 + 2.8 + 2.0 (Glasses \ Transmission \ Blocks)

Achievements: All-Rookie First Team, All-Star, NCAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Process already looks like the top 3 center in the entire league. In today's NBA, if you're a center and you don't have a good and consistent shot, you're in for the fate of Hassan Whiteside. Old-school centers are no longer interesting to anyone, their actions are predictable, there is no threat from them on the arc, therefore this gives more freedom to the defending team. And that's why players like Anthony Davis, Karl Towns, DeMarcus Cousins ​​and Joel Embiid sat down on the "basketball Olympus".

But if in the case of the first three centers, the ascent took 15-20 years, then Embiid needed only 7.

Initially, "The Process" wanted to become a volleyball player and try his hand at the European Championships. But when the young Embiid was 15 years old, he picked up a basketball for the first time and began to copy Hakim Olajuwon's style of play. Joel liked the game so much that in the same year he went to a basketball camp organized by Luc Mba a Mute in Cameroon.

As a result of this camp, Luke was so impressed with Embiid's game and potential that he invites him to try himself in America.

At the age of 16 Joel Embiid moves to the USA and decides to become a professional basketball player.

In the states, the "Process" continued to progress and got into one of the best student organizations - Kansas. In his only college season, Embiid scored something like 11+8, entered the top 30 students and entered the draft with a back injury.

At first, Joel did not work out in the NBA, just because of the unfortunate injury, and for the first two years he almost completely lay in the infirmary. But after the recovery and after the last season, we see a top center, who is undoubtedly far from his peak and will continue to progress.

Dennis Rodman

When began: 1983 (21 years old)

Statistics for career: 7.3 + 13.1 + 1.8 + 0.6

Achieving: Member of the Glory Hall, 5-time champion NBA, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time All-Star, 7-time defensive top five.

The best rebounder in basketball history, ready to rip opponents' elbows out with the ball, didn't get into basketball until high school. And it is very difficult to call this acquaintance the beginning of his basketball career. Rodman, a model of his school years, did not really know how to dribble, and his shots from under the basket left much to be desired, not to mention the shots from the middle. As a result, throughout his school career, Rodman sat on the bench. Also, young Dennis tried to get into the school football team, but failed there too.

Of course, after such a school "performance", no college offered Rodman an athletic scholarship. As a result, Dennis graduates from high school and goes to work as a janitor at the local airport. And just at that time, the young player has a so-called "growth spurt" and decides to try his hand at basketball again, despite the fact that he did not feel very comfortable in his new two-meter body.

A friend of the Rodman family, he got a position as head coach at a small college in Texas, and offered the young Dennis a scholarship. As a result of his first and only semester (Rodman was expelled for poor progress), the young player scores 17 + 13! Agree, very good numbers for a player who a couple of years ago could not get out from under the basket.

The most interesting thing is that during high school, Dennis was only 170 cm tall. But by the time he went to college at 21, Rodman was already 204 cm tall! It's amazing how he has grown so much in just 4 years.

After his first undergraduate performance failure, Rodman was given a second chance at an Oklahoma college whose team was NAIA. There he spends three fruitful years, gaining 25 + 15, becomes the leader in rebounds and gets into the 19th draft.86, where he was drafted 3rd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the second round.

Everything that happened next is history. Dennis went from a calm and reserved player who did his job in the Pistons, like other "bad guys", into an outrageous, media player.

But it is worth noting that this did not affect his game in any way. Rodman became the best defensive player of the championship 2 times, got into the top five defensively 7 times and became the best rebounder 7 times in a row. Well, it’s not worth talking about his five championships, everyone already knows about it.

Interesting fact: Father Dennis Rodman has 48 children.

Another interesting fact: Dennis Rodman is the oldest of them.

Moving on.

Hakim Potzzhivon

When I started: 1979 (16 years)

Statistics for career: 21. 8 + 11.1 + 2.5 + 3.1

Achievement for careers: Member 1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, one of the top 50 basketball players of all time.

The Dream, until the age of 16 he was exclusively fond of football and handball. And it was a football career that helped Hakim with footwork and body balance in the future.

At the age of 16, the two-meter-high Olajuwon is invited to take part in a basketball tournament (even though Hakim has never played it). There, a basketball coach notices him and informs Hakim's parents that their son may have a good career, but in Nigeria he will remain only budding. Hakim begins to train hard with his coach in order to achieve something in professional sports. Here's what he said about basketball:

Basketball is something unique. When I took the ball in my hands, I immediately knew that this is what I want to do all my life, you know? After that moment, any other sports lost their meaning for me.

As a result of all this, the parents of a young basketball player sent him to America, where Houston College was waiting for him to watch. Hakim impressed coach Guy Lewis with his game and he accepted the young player into the squad.

Season 1980/1981 Olajuwon missed out because he was still too young to play in the NCAA (17 years old). But over the course of the next three years in college, Hakim screwed up and showed the entire student league who's boss in the paint!

He becomes the Final Four MVP, also earns the NCAA Southwest Conference MVP, and the Rockets begin to fold the 1983/1984 season in order to take Hakim with the first pick in the upcoming draft.

If you are reading this and think that Hakim was very good, you are right. But do not forget that The Dream achieved all this in 5 years from the moment of his first basketball game!

What happened next - you yourself know everything again. Hakim became one of the best centers in the history of basketball, an innovator and creator of new offensive techniques in the paint. Seriously, show me one player in the history of basketball that has played better than Hakim in the post?

Olajuwon led his hometown of Houston twice to the championship, became the most valuable player in one of the finals, the most valuable player in the league and was twice recognized as the best defensive player. Great career, great player!

DIKMBA MUTOMO

When I started: 1984 (17 years old)

Statistics for career: 9.8 + 10.3 + 1.0 + 2.8

Achieving: Member All-Star, 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time rebounding leader, 3-time block shot leader.

Another African who started playing basketball very late.

Until the age of 17, Dikembe "not in my house" Mutombo was fond of exclusively football and did not see himself anywhere except on a wide lawn (or sandy wasteland) with goals along the edges. So his youth passed, if not for his older brother, who invited him to play basketball.

Basketball meets Dikembe in style. In the first game, Mutombo cracks his chin and tells his brother that he will never play this "stupid game" again.

But still, after a couple of weeks, the brother again persuades Dikembe to play. And from that moment began the basketball adventure of one of the best defensive players in the league. Mutombo started playing in the African League and achieved excellent results. A vivid confirmation of this is a sports scholarship from Georgetown.

Mutombo enters the NCAA at the age of 21 and immediately shows excellent results. In his very first season, Dikembe manages to make 12 blocks in ONE game! And in general, the period 1988-1990 was one of the best in history for Georgetown. Under the ring, along with Dikembe, was another future member of the hall of fame - Alonzo Morning. Their bunch was even nicknamed "Rejection Row".

College career can be called successful. Mutombo was named to the NCAA East Division First Team as well as the All NCAA Third Team, and was selected with the 4th pick in the 19 draft91, aged. . 25 years old.

But even with such a late start, Mutombo had a long and fruitful career, spending as many as 18 seasons in the league!

He achieved everything, almost everything. Dikembe never received the coveted ring, but few would say that his career was not a success.

Throughout his career, the Congolese basketball player has demonstrated high professionalism, quality defense and incredible block shots. Mutombo was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year four times, was elected to the league's All-Stars three times, and took part in the All-Star game eight times.

Tim Dancan

When he started: 1991 (15 years)

Statistics for the career: 19.0 + 10.8 + 3.0 + 2.2

A achievements by career: 5-fold champion NBA, NBA, NBA, NBA, NBA, NBA, 5-fold champion NBA, NBA, NBA, NBA, 5-fold NBA. 2-time MVP, 3-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-Star (10 times first), 15-time Defensive Five, Rookie of the Year, 2003 Athlete of the Year, NCAA Player of the Year .

Tim Duncan is the best basketball player of the 2000s and possibly the greatest basketball player of the 21st century. Try to convince me of this as much as you like, but such a stable, unselfish and simply excellent player is very difficult to find. Duncan is a hard worker who does an enormous amount of work from game to game, from season to season, without requiring any attention and encouragement from the basketball community.

But it all started in the Virgin Islands, when young Tim, looking at his sister Trisha, who was a swimmer, wanted to follow in her footsteps. Duncan trained hard day after day and dreamed of taking part in the 1992 Olympic Games.

But his dream was not destined to come true. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo swept through the Caribbean and caused damage to many countries, including Tim Duncan's native Virgin Islands. And everything would be fine, but the same hurricane destroyed the only pool on the islands and Duncan now had nowhere to train.

You say - hey, if he lives on an island, then the ocean is around! Why shouldn't he train there? It's very simple - Duncan is terrified of sharks. That is why his swimming career ended so early.

At the age of 15, Duncan picks up a basketball for the first time and starts playing for the school team. And here is what his first coach said about Timmy:

Duncan was just huge. He was big and tall, I haven't trained players like that for a long time. But despite all his dimensions - he was just terribly clumsy!

Gradually Tim began to improve, averaging 25 points in his senior year at school. His game has attracted a large number of universities and colleges from all over America. And Wake Forest offered the young player an athletic scholarship.

In college, Duncan begins to develop his usual playing style. Simple but effective. Duncan combined many aspects of the game, such as high-quality post play, open mid-range shots, and tough defense. It was this style that helped not only him, but also his team, to show good results in the NCAA.

Duncan, one of the few superstars (if not the only one) who spent all four years of college! All because he promised his mother, who died the day before Tim's 14th birthday, that he would graduate from college and get an education.

In the end, over 4 years in college, Tim was 97-31, scored over 2,000 points, 1,500 rebounds and 400 blocks and was automatically selected for the 1998 draft, where he was selected with the first pick of the San Antonio Spurs.

With the Spurs, Duncan first became David Robinson's assistant, then became a team leader himself for many years. San Antonio is a 15-year dynasty, just like the New England Patriots (as a fan of all Boston teams, I just had to compare the two franchises). And all this time, the main face of the team was Tim Duncan, the man who achieved everything in the NBA.

Yannis Antetokunmpo

When I started: 2007 (13 years old)

Statistics for career: 12. 2 + 6.6 + 2.9 + 1.1

Achiors: the most progressive player NBA, 2-fold All-Star Team Member, 2nd NBA Team.

Giannis was born in Grezzi to Nigerian immigrants and until the age of 13 he played only football, having absolutely no idea what basketball is and who needs it at all.

Yannis and his family had a hard time, to put it mildly. There was a catastrophic lack of money, so he and his brother sold all sorts of trinkets, watches, bags on the streets, trying to somehow help their parents with finances. Well, after a hard day, Giannis and his brother went to the football field and chased the ball until late.

That was until 2007, when basketball appeared in the life of the young Antetokounmpo.

The young player fell in love with the game and started devoting all his free time to developing his basketball skills. And it paid off! Two years later, in 2009, Giannis starts playing for Fylatlitikos youth team.

In 2012, The Greek Freak made the main roster, spent a mid-season in the Greek League Two and entered the 2013 draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks nonetheless were selected.

Giannis' NBA career developed over three seasons. The coaching staff worked very competently here, which, as Antetokounmpo performed in the league, gradually loaded him with new baggage of knowledge and skills. Giannis soaked it all up like a sponge and as time went by, his minutes played and his role in the team increased.

Now Giannis is the future of basketball, the second LeBron, the man who can make the Eurostep from the three-point line. I'm afraid to imagine what will happen to this player in the future, because Giannis is only 23 years old! And he is already a franchise player and will progress in each next season.

Mark Eaton

Started: 1977 (21 years old)

Career stats: 6.0 + 7.9 9.0 + 1.00003

Achievements: 2x Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star, 4x Block Shot Leader, 3x Defensive Five.