1. Mental toughness Basketball is a mentally demanding sport that requires unwavering focus, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure. As NBA superstar Nikola Jokić once said “I believe the only muscles you need in basketball are the ones in your brain”. By this, he means practising visualization techniques, positive self-talk, and stress management strategies. This will help you control your emotions, stay calm under pressure, and maintain a growth mindset. how to become a better basketball player 2. Skill development Mastering the fundamentals of basketball is essential. Focus on honing your shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive skill level. Practice regularly, seek feedback from coaches and teammates, and watch game footage to analyze the techniques of elite players. 3. Physical conditioning Nikola Jokić wasn’t 100% correct in his above quote. A strong and well-conditioned body is also crucial for performing at your best. Strength training exercises to build muscle and power, including exercises that target your legs, core, and upper body. Maintaining a healthy diet to provide your body with the necessary fuel for energy and recovery is also very important. Let’s take a closer look at these three key areas to build a more detailed picture of how to become a better basketball player at home, or in your local gym and court. How do I improve the mental aspect of my game? Believe it or not, professionals tended to overlook the psychological side of basketball in the NBA’s early years. It was only when the legendary Bill Russell started to talk about focus and staying calm under pressure in the 1960s that players started to explore how to become a better basketball player mentally. The key to mental clarity, according to Russell? Practice, and lots of it. He believed that if you do something enough times (to the best of your ability), then your mind and body adapt to it so that you can perform it almost instinctively. This brings a natural calmness that can help you in a big game of basketball. “Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions,” he said. “ There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved”.
