Bad News Ballers

Well, it’s that time of year again. It’s basketball season. For the past three years, for me, that has meant it was time to prepare for 6 practices per week and 2-3 hours per practice per team. Sports, and basketball specifically, are a very big deal in Orlando. As a sports fan for my whole life and a big basketball fan this suited me perfectly. The busy schedule rendered my vocal cords raw and unusable by about week three but I loved the sport, I loved the kids, and I loved coaching so that was no sweat. 

I have had the privilege of working with players and coaches from the Orlando Magic, National Basketball Academy, NBA players, as well as players who went on to NCAA Division 1 scholarships. I will always count myself lucky for those experiences as they have molded my perception of the game and of sports in general.

When asked if I would be interested in coaching basketball at my new school, I jumped at the chance thinking it would help me continue to develop as a coach as well as give me an opportunity to get to 

know my students better.

One hundred and thirty students, a hot loud gym, kids hitting three pointers and some of them even dunking. The echoes of shoes squeaking and balls dribbling…must be tryout day. Well…not in Ecuador. I was well aware that soccer is king here and that international schools generally have a different perspective on sports. I did not truly understand the scope of the difference. When tryout day came, I had 18 kids in the gym for JV tryouts. JV sports in the United States is reserved for the best 10^th graders, some 11^th graders, and if they’re really a special talent, maybe a freshman or two. Here in Ecuador, my JV team was made up of two high school players, a few 8^th graders, and a bunch of 7^th graders.

We went through some conditioning, shooting, and passing drills. Our layup line was, a little less impressive than most JV teams I have seen before. There were a few kids who truly could play very well and a few who were trying out to learn about the game and get in better shape.

I think the country’s soccer-centric focus has led our players to developing skills that leave a bit to be desired in terms of basketball coordination. I had multiple players tell me they weren’t used to looking up for a ball. They were used to looking at their feet. It showed when they tried to grab rebounds with their elbows and foreheads.

This brings me to my overall theme of our tryouts. After tryouts, practices, and some kids showing up and not showing up according to their personal schedule, I was a little overcome with frustration. But then after having some time to reflect it occurred to me that in this school, and maybe the international community in general, sports are not a priority; they are an after school activity. They are like art, or band, or chess club. There isn’t a special reverence placed on kids who could throw a ball far or jump really high. It’s very different for me. I have always grown up as a person who enjoyed and focused on sports. Maybe even at times I let it consume my free time. When I think back on the reasons I spent so much time on sports, I can say with honesty that I have always had a genuine passion for them. I personally hold sports in high reverence for the lessons about life, teamwork, effort, perseverance, and perspective they have taught me. I have seen however, that in many parts of the US, sports have become religion. It has become an outlet for exploitation of talented young men and women rather than a way to learn those lessons mentioned above.

I am never going to stop loving sports. I am watching a game right now as I type this. I am never going to lose my own personal competitive edge and desire to win. I don’t want to. It has been a developed personality trait that has allowed me to experience many successes in my life. I will say however, that after seeing these kids and this school and their attitude towards sports and the role it plays in their life, I am optimistic. I think the same lessons can be taught. I think that the fact that my students care more about academics than their team’s record is refreshing. It’s perspective that I will continue to hold and appreciate. New thoughts, experiences, and perspective are some of the most paramount reasons I went into international teaching.

All that being said about perspective, I still want to encourage my players and students to focus on the right priorities. I want each child to improve as basketball players, and for us to improve as a team. It is my job. As a team, we have been getting much, much better already. We went from going 4 for 44 on free throws a week ago as a team to 16 for 22. We are growing as players and as a team. This Tuesday we have our first game. We are going to win; or we won’t. Either way, I know we are going to get better, we are going to have fun, and we are going to continue to grow.  

UPDATE: We won-39-24.