What Coaches Look for in Great Players, by Ruth Riley
Looking back on my basketball journey I often wonder, what did college recruits really see in me? Growing up, I have always been tall, but quite honestly my coordination and skills came a lot later in life. I have always wondered, what made them pursue me when I knew that was so far from great? As I reflect on the different teams I have played on, from college, to the pros, to the Olympics here are a few thoughts I have about what coaches really look for and value in players.
When it comes to young players, coaches evaluate their immediate skill level: shooting, passing, decision-making, dribbling, etc. With the rare exceptions of players like Candace Parker, with remarkable skill level at a young age, coaches are more interested in POTENTIAL! It is not necessarily about the player they see you are, but rather the player they think they can help
you become. You must keep in mind that potential can accomplish nothing on its own (We all have the potential for some form of greatness),the player must also be hard-working, and have a coachable attitude. Over the years I have seen many players with good skills and an amazing amount of potential become average players at best, because they didn't want to work on their game or they didn't respect what their coaches were telling them. I have just started my 8th year in the WNBA and I am still working to improve my game!
I am blessed to play everyday against the best basketball players in the world. If you look at every roster in the league, you will see the names of a couple players who definitely aren't the most talented players, but who work extremely hard, are constantly improving their game, and have a great attitude. If your dream is to play basketball in college or in the WNBA and you don't think you are good enough, don't be discouraged. My point-guard, Becky Hammon is a perfect example of someone who has overcome an unbelievable amount of adversity to be successful! At 5'6",people have said that she is too small, that she isn't quick enough, but she didn't let that stop her. She wasn't drafted in the WNBA, worked her way on a team, didn't play much for her first few years in the league, and then began to deliver MVP type performance!!
Looking back on my basketball journey I often wonder, what did college recruits really see in me? Growing up, I have always been tall, but quite honestly my coordination and skills came a lot later in life. I have always wondered, what made them pursue me when I knew that was so far from great? As I reflect on the different teams I have played on, from college, to the pros, to the Olympics here are a few thoughts I have about what coaches really look for and value in players.
When it comes to young players, coaches evaluate their immediate skill level: shooting, passing, decision-making, dribbling, etc. With the rare exceptions of players like Candace Parker, with remarkable skill level at a young age, coaches are more interested in POTENTIAL! It is not necessarily about the player they see you are, but rather the player they think they can help
you become. You must keep in mind that potential can accomplish nothing on its own (We all have the potential for some form of greatness),the player must also be hard-working, and have a coachable attitude. Over the years I have seen many players with good skills and an amazing amount of potential become average players at best, because they didn't want to work on their game or they didn't respect what their coaches were telling them. I have just started my 8th year in the WNBA and I am still working to improve my game!I am blessed to play everyday against the best basketball players in the world. If you look at every roster in the league, you will see the names of a couple players who definitely aren't the most talented players, but who work extremely hard, are constantly improving their game, and have a great attitude. If your dream is to play basketball in college or in the WNBA and you don't think you are good enough, don't be discouraged. My point-guard, Becky Hammon is a perfect example of someone who has overcome an unbelievable amount of adversity to be successful! At 5'6",people have said that she is too small, that she isn't quick enough, but she didn't let that stop her. She wasn't drafted in the WNBA, worked her way on a team, didn't play much for her first few years in the league, and then began to deliver MVP type performance!!
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