basketball essay for school

Basketball Essay for Students and Children

500+ essay on basketball.

The game of basketball has truly become global in the last few years. The game is currently popular in the United States. Also, it is described by many as an American game because of the fun and competitive element in it. Also, this is one of the games which is played indoors and still caters to billions of fans around the world. This game was Dr. James Naismith from Canada. Initially, he invented the game by using a rectangular pitch which was 6 feet wide and 4 feet high. Additionally, the court includes a free throw line which is 12 feet long. In basketball essay, students will get to know about the different components that make the game of basketball special.

It is a team game that has gained immense popularity. Also, the game is played with the help of a ball and the ball is shot into the basket that is positioned horizontally. So, the objective in the game is to shoot the ball and score the maximum points. This game is played by 2 teams that constitute a total of 5 players each. Also, the game is played on a marked rectangular floor that has a basket on both the ends. 

Originally, basketball was played using a soccer ball. Also, it was James Naismith that used a peach basket which ha ad a nonhollow bottom. So, this basket was nailed at a height of 10 ft. above the ground and on an elevated track. If you consider the manual removal of the ball from the basket a drawback then the bottom was removed to and it took the shape of modern-day baskets. Also, dribbling was not part of the game initially. Eventually, it evolved till 1950 by which the balls got better shape due to manufacturing. 

Additionally, the orange ball was evolved from the brown ball. The brown ball was used in the beginning as it was thought that the ball is more visible. By 1996, the peach baskets used were replaced by metal hoops on the backboard. 

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Basketball Game 

At the start of the game, a referee tosses the ball at the center of the court between two players. One player from either team try to get their hands on the ball and the ball is passed on to the teammates. For scoring a point, a team needs to shoot the ball through the basket. If a shot is scored from a distance that is closer to the basket than the 3 point line than it fetches 2 points. Also, if the ball is shot from the distance behind 3 point line, it fetches 3 points. So, the team that has a maximum number of points is declared the winner. 

In case of a draw, there may be additional time allotted to both the teams. In the game, a player is cannot move if he is holding the ball. The player needs to dribble, otherwise, it is considered as a foul. Likewise, when there is a physical contact that affects the other team then it counted as a physical foul. 

Basketball is game played with a maintained and carefully marked court. It is a team sport that is commonly found in many different areas. 

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148 Excellent Basketball Essay & Speech Topics for Students

If you want to write a memorable essay on basketball, you have chosen the right article.

Are you a player, or do you prefer to watch the game? Doesn’t matter! We all are here to write a good essay about basketball. Read this article to find some ideas and inspiration. We have prepared a list of 150 basketball essay titles for you!

• 🏀 Top 20 Basketball Topics
• 🗑️ Topics for Any Taste
• ⛹️‍♀️ Basketball Research Topics
• ⛹️‍♂️ Basketball Speech Topics
• 📚 Basketball Inspiration

If you don’t know much about basketball, you can learn from this article!

Check each section to find the best topic! First are the hottest 20 basketball topics – these are the themes relevant all the time. The following selection suggests topics for literally any taste; then read topics for research about basketball. And, finally, basketball speech topics, in case you have to prepare a speech about basketball.

🏀 Top 20 Basketball Essay Topics

• The history of NBA creation and its influence in the modern world.
• Do elite basketball athletes deserve their high salaries?
• Basketball athletes train hard: describe their workout and eating routines.
• Salary discrimination in NBA .
• The benefits of basketball socialization among children and young adults.
• Basketball vs. football. What are the key differences between the games?
• How to become a successful professional basketball player?
• Playing basketball in high school and college helps to develop communicational skills.
• How was basketball created and popularized?
• Doping ussue in basketball.
• Basketball at the Olympic games. The critical historical moments.
• Gender inequality in basketball.
• Is professional basketball an appropriate type of sport for amateurs?
• The psychological benefits of team sports. The case of basketball.
• Playing basketball is an excellent activity for people with sedentary lifestyles.
• The dangers of playing basketball: from bullying to physical traumas.
• The culture of basketball among American citizens 20 years ago and today.
• Management and marketing of basketball.
• Does talent or persistence play a primary role in a basketball career?
• Why do basketball fans support particular teams or players?

🗑️ Basketball Essay Topics for Any Taste

In this section, you will find basketball essay ideas on various topics: game rules, rules violation, famous basketball players, college & high school basketball essay, and funny basketball essay topics. Make sure to read them all and choose the best one!

Basketball Essay Topics: Rules of the Game

• Who created the rules of the basketball game? Describe James Naismith, the teacher who started the game. What was his incentive? How did he develop the idea?
• What were the original 13 rules of dr. James Naismith? Basketball rules were not the same as we can see them today. Compare the modern practices with the original ones.
• Why are there only five players on a basketball court? At first, there was no rule like this. There could be seven or even eight players on the court.
• The main types of basketball shots and the scoring. Explain the types of shots from different lines. Write about shooting techniques.
• The requirements for basketball courts: the size and the markings. You can write about it from a historical perspective and describe the changes. Also, you can talk about men’s and women’s basketball courts.
• Using foul strategy in basketball.
• The differences between the rules in NBA, WNBA, and NCAA .
• The way basketball rules changed over time.
• The rules of the offense and defense teams : the key differences.
• The rule differences for men and women in basketball.

Basketball Essay Topics: Rules Violation

• The primary rule violations in basketball. You can write about traveling, the 5-second rule, etc. explain why they are breaking the rules and when they appeared.
• NBA rule number 10: violations and penalties. Describe the critical moments of rules violation, provide the corresponding sections of the rule, and explain the cases.
• Fights and quarrels between basketball teams during games. Provide some examples of the most famous fights and reasons for them. Include media coverage and overall reaction.
• The consequences of breaking the rules in basketball. Explain what the difference between the occurring fouls and violations is.
• Time, dribbling, and goaltending violations in basketball. Describe each type of violation and why they happen.
• Non-foul and foul rules violations in basketball.
• Describe penalties for different types of fouls .
• What are the most common types of basketball infringement?
• Performance-enhancing drugs in basketball.
• Steroids in basketball. Legalized and prohibited supplements .

Basketball Essay Topics about Famous Players

• Michael Jordan : training program, lifestyle, and habits. No doubt, he is one of the key players of all time. Write about Michael Jordan’s routine and explain why it helped him to achieve such results.
• Bill Russell : one of the greatest defenders of all time. Explain how he earned such a reputation playing for Boston Celtics. Describe his rebounding abilities.
• Lebron James’s sports career and social activity. There were several teams he played for, including the US national team. He is also a supporter of several non-profit organizations and has an active social life.
• Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s charity and struggles with AIDS. Describe his HIV activism and participation in the national commission on AIDS. Write about the charity events he organized .
• Oscar Robertson’s statistics and contribution to basketball. Write about his achievements during the 1963-1964 season. Mention his key career points.
• Who is the most famous basketball player of today?
• Larry Bird’s biography and his way to success.
• How Lebron James became one of the most significant players of all time?
• How Wilt Chamberlain changed basketball as a sport?
• How Tim Duncan earned his nickname “the Big Fundamental?”

College & High School Basketball Essay Topics

• A basketball scholarship is a way to start a successful career. Many professional players begin their career playing for a college team. Explain why scholarships give young players a chance to become pros.
• Why do children feel less motivated to play active games? The reason might be the role of mobile phones and other technologies, lack of time, or overprotective parents.
• The benefits of playing basketball for children. Like any active sport, basketball has a positive effect on physical development . Describe why sports, especially team games, are suitable for children.
• The role of team sports in high school and college. Players, fans, and competition. Describe how this system is organized, the (un)written rules, the distribution of roles, and other aspects.
• Why are team games such as basketball important in children’s development?
• Basketball, volleyball or football: which game is the safest for children?
• What life lessons can basketball teach children?
• How to motivate young players and keep them interested?
• Why do children dream of becoming basketball players?
• The significance of basketball championships at the college level.

Funny Basketball Essay Topics

• How many calories do professional basketball players consume?
• What is the scariest thing to a basketball player?
• The funniest nicknames given to basketball players.
• How being tall as a basketball player changes your life?
• Why was the ball color changed to orange?
• What are the hilarious rules that don’t make sense?
• Simulation and exaggerating in basketball: lousy acting.
• Why were Jordan sneakers banned from the NBA?
• The funniest basketball variations that are surprisingly popular.
• The shortest and the tallest players in NBA.

⛹️‍♀️ Excellent Topics for a Basketball Research Paper

Now, if it is more serious than an essay – here are some good topics to write a basketball research paper on. The history of basketball, psychology research, and some controversial topics for a good basketball research paper – will make a great paper.

Women’s Basketball Topics

• Gender inequality in team sports. Is women’s basketball a popular sport? Compare several team sports. Write about media coverage, pay gaps, and other statistics.
• The portrayal of female basketball players in the media. Describe the most popular women in the sport and their public appearances covered by the media.
• Levels of competition in women’s basketball in the United States. Describe college games, types of professional leagues, and international competitions.
• Women basketball players in cinematography and literature. The three films that you might need are O ff The Rez , She Got Game , and Training Rules . You can also compare them to men’s portrayal in cinema about basketball.
• The history of WNBA creation and its role in women’s sports.
• An overview of the professional leagues in women’s basketball.
• Why do female basketball players receive a lower income than men ?
• The best women’s basketball teams of all time.
• The best women basketball players of all time.
• The career competition among women basketball players in the United States.

Topics for a Paper about Basketball History

• Basketball uniform variations and changes through history. Basketball exists more than one hundred years. Indeed, materials and styles change. Discuss the significant modifications in uniform and footwear.
• The evolution of basketball: significant changes and perception . Describe how a school game became one of the most popular team sports.
• The first basketball game in Europe: Paris , 1983. Explain why it was an important sport event and what its impact was. What challenges did they face?
• Top highest-scoring game in NBA history . You can write about the statistics of each game. Mention the members of the teams who played the most prominent roles in the result.
• The Naismith memorial basketball hall of fame . Describe the location and the members. Explain who built it and why.
• Basketball in the 20th century and now. What is different?
• The early years of basketball. How did the sport become popular?
• How the culture of basketball evolved and changed?
• The greatest basketball coaches in history and their contribution to the sports.
• The role of YMCA in basketball popularization.

Controversial Basketball Topics for Research

• Cardiovascular diseases and joint problems among professional players. Each professional sport is a risk of trauma. Describe typical injuries and illnesses among basketball players .
• “No tolerance rule” and technical fouls injustice. NBA created a new rule at the start of the 2006-2007 season. Officials can sign technical fouls to players who complain about calls.
• The connection between basketball and politics in the modern world. Describe the political positions of NBA players. Write about protests and activism.
• The bond between basketball and hip-hop culture . Explain the influence of hip-hop subculture on the sport. Then, describe famous players’ music careers.
• Bullying and accusations of racism in basketball. Write about the issues and famous examples. Then, describe the positions of associations and the way they fight the problems.
• When is the right time for professional basketball players to retire?
• Injuries in basketball. Is it possible to avoid or prevent them ?
• A career in sports: pros and cons of choice.
• Do great basketball players inevitably become great coaches?
• Should tournaments be held during the lockdown?

Basketball Psychology Research Paper Topics

• Basketball is a way to cure mental illnesses. How do sports help mental health? What are the benefits of team sports in particular?
• Sports psychologist: the primary responsibilities of the profession. Research the spheres of their work. It might be motivation, anxiety , or rehabilitation.
• Why do basketball athletes need to train their minds? Sports are challenging not only on the physical level. Discuss why mental stamina is vital for athletes.
• Mental pressure in professional basketball: the ways to deal with it. Pro players deal with a lot of attention. Media, fans, and haters – how to fight all the negative coming from the outside?
• The bond between mindfulness and exemplary performance in basketball. Write about typical practices of athletes and how it affects performance. Physical and psychological relief with the help of basketball. Myth or reality?
• The benefits of playing basketball for curing depression .
• How can your attitude to life change performance in basketball?
• Why do professional athletes struggle with depression and stress after retirement?
• How can basketball affect the mental health of the players?

⛹️‍♂️ Good Topics for a Speech about Basketball

Do you need to prepare a speech about basketball? Consider these themes: iconic basketball moments, international basketball, motivational and informative topics about basketball.

Speech about Basketball Iconic Moments

• Karem Abdul-Jabaar won his sixth MVP award in 1980. It is NBA’s most valuable player award. Explain why he deserved the honor and what its significance was.
• Shaquille O’Neal became one of the “50 greatest players in history” at the age of 24. In October 1996, he became a part of the NBA’s top 50. It was a great honor to join the list at such a young age.
• Magic Johnson at 1980 finals, game 6. It was one of the greatest moments in his career. Magic Johnson scored 42 points, and the Lakers won the game.
• Michael Jordan’s final shot at the finals of 1998. NBA finals of 1998 have the highest TV rating in history. It was his last game for Chicago Bulls before retirement.
• Bill Russell: top 10 iconic moments in his career.
• Michael Jordan’s most significant moments in NBA history.
• Game 5 between Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns in 1976.
• What was the most excellent game in basketball history?
• The 1965 eastern division finals . Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain’s rivalry.
• Larry Bird’s steal at the eastern conference finals in 1987.

Topics for a Speech about International Basketball

• FIBA: the eight founding nations and amateur sport. FIBA was founded in 1932 in Geneva as an amateur organization. At first, there were only seven national associations.
• The popularity of basketball outside the United States. Of course, Americans were the first nation to popularize the sport worldwide. These days basketball is one of the most famous team sports in any country.
• The United States “Dream Team” and the 1992 summer Olympics . It was the first national team in which were only pro players from the NBA. Discuss their legacy and performance.
• Basketball in South Africa: BSA and teams . BSA is a part of FIBA and consists of six national teams. Discuss the impact of NBA and FIBA on basketball in Africa.
• Basketball in East Asian countries : the influence of the cultural aspects . Discuss the pro and amateur leagues. Talk about basketball’s popularity among children and adults.
• The differences between basketball leagues in Europe and the USA. International basketball association organization and franchises.
• FIBA Europe. How is it organized?
• Famous European basketball teams and athletes.
• Professional basketball leagues outside the United States.

Topics for a Basketball Motivational Speech

• Famous basketball players as role models for the young generation . Many young boys and girls want to become rich and famous athletes. Write about why they like basketball players and use them as role models.
• Michael Jordan: from a pro player to a successful brand owner. It was hard for him to retire fully, so he even came back several times. Now he is an owner of the Jordan brand and a billionaire.
• Why mental stamina is as important as physical abilities. Talk about stress and pressure pro players face in their careers.
• The advice of famous basketball players on building a career in sports. Talk about renowned player’s interview moments when they answer this question. You can also include their speeches in front of young players.
• What motivates successful basketball players to achieve more?
• How much does it take to become a professional basketball player?
• Why basketball community is the best way to motivate junior athletes?
• How successful basketball players manage their time?
• How do coaches motivate their team before essential games?
• Why is discipline more essential than talent in basketball?

Informative Speech About Basketball

• The greatest basketball exhibition games in history. There are usually eight NBA preseason games per year. You can also discuss college exhibition games.
• Basketball tournaments and workouts during coronavirus pandemic . Discuss how the pandemic changed the lives of athletes and fans . Describe the training routine and safety measures.
• The significance of basketball Guinness records . The highest jump, the longest shot, the fastest run, etc. Discuss the impact of the records.
• The responsibilities of basketball officials during tournaments. There are two or three referees with a court area to watch for each one. Discuss their positions and roles in the game.
• How do basketball players train in winter and summer?
• How are basketball training programs developed and implemented?
• Basketball terminology and slang. How to sound like a pro?
• Basketball coaching and teaching styles vital differences.
• Professional basketball player’s training and nutrition facts .
• The importance of keeping the positions in professional basketball teams.

💡 Where to Get Ideas for a Basketball Essay or Speech?

There are so many movies, books, and blogs about basketball. They can be motivational, informing, and even touching. Each of them can inspire you to start playing basketball or to write a perfect essay.

We offer to pay attention to the following cultural product

Wondering what books are informative and engaging at the same time? Just choose one from this list! Here are our top picks.

• ‘The Breaks of the Game’ (1981) by David Halberstam
• ‘A Season on the Brink’ (1986) by John Feinstein
• ‘The Jordan Rules’ (1991) by Sam Smith
• ‘Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich’ (2007) by Mark Kriegel
• ‘Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success’ (2013) by Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty
• ‘Dream Team’ (2013) by Jack McCallum

Do you enjoy watching movies? Well, it is a great idea to prepare your assignment while doing what you love. Check our compilation

• ‘He Got Game’ (1998), dir. Spike Lee
• ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ (1992), dir. Ron Shelton
• ‘The Basketball Diaries’ (1996), dir. Scott Kalvert
• ‘Coach Carter’ (2005), dir. Thomas Carter
• ‘Love and Basketball’ (2000), dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood
• ‘High Flying Bird’ (2019), dir. Steven Soderbergh

For more ideas, see this list: The 20 Best Basketball Movies Ever Made

Media + Blogs

It is a great way to read some real-life stories and to know a lot of new information. You can read blogs about sports lifestyles, basketball championships, and training routines.

• International Basketball Federation (FIBA) – FIBA.basketball
• HoopsHype | NBA Rumors, News, Salaries
• RealGM – Basketball News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Depth Charts, Forums
• The official site of the NBA for the latest NBA Scores, Stats & News. | NBA.com
• NBA – National Basketball Association Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings, Rumors – ESPN
• Latest Basketball News & Headlines, Top Stories Today – The Straits Times
• SLAM: NBA News & Rumors, Kicks, College & High School, Hoops 24/7
• The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Hope this article will help you feel the game and write a great essay!

Try our free essay topic generator if you need more ideas.

Good luck, and feel free to contact us with any question👋

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114 Basketball Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Title: 114 Basketball Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Introduction:

Basketball is a popular and dynamic sport that has captivated the hearts of millions worldwide. Whether you are an avid player, a die-hard fan, or simply interested in sports, writing an essay about basketball can offer a unique and engaging experience. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 114 basketball essay topic ideas and examples. From historical milestones to the impact of basketball on society, these topics cover a wide range of aspects related to the sport. Let's explore some of the exciting possibilities!

• The Evolution of Basketball: From its inception to modern-day techniques and strategies.
• The Impact of Basketball on American Culture: How basketball has influenced music, fashion, and entertainment.
• The Role of Women in Basketball: Examining the growth and contributions of female athletes in the sport.
• The Psychological Benefits of Basketball: Exploring the positive effects of playing basketball on mental health.
• The Business of Basketball: Analyzing the economic aspects of the sport, including sponsorships and endorsements.
• The Importance of Teamwork in Basketball: Discussing how collaboration and cooperation contribute to success on the court.
• The Role of Coaches in Basketball: Investigating the influence of coaches on player development and team performance.
• The Impact of Basketball on Youth Development: Examining how basketball can shape character, discipline, and leadership skills.
• The Rivalry Between NBA Teams: Analyzing legendary rivalries and their impact on the sport.
• The Psychology of Winning and Losing in Basketball: Exploring the mindset of athletes during victories and defeats.
• The Influence of Basketball in Education: Assessing the benefits of integrating basketball into school curricula.
• The Globalization of Basketball: Investigating how the sport has spread and gained popularity worldwide.
• The Role of Basketball in Social Justice Movements: Examining the efforts of basketball players to advocate for equality and social change.
• The Impact of Basketball Analytics: Analyzing the use of data and statistics in basketball strategy and player evaluation.
• The Role of Basketball in Community Development: Discussing how basketball programs can foster a sense of belonging and unity in local communities.

To provide a glimpse into the potential depth and breadth of basketball essay topics, here are a few examples:

• The Legendary Rivalry: Comparing and contrasting the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
• The Rise of Women's Basketball: Investigating the evolution of the WNBA and its impact on gender equality in sports.
• The Influence of Michael Jordan: Analyzing the cultural impact and legacy of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
• From Slum to Stardom: Exploring the inspiring journey of basketball players who overcame adversity to achieve success.
• The Global Phenomenon: Examining the impact of Yao Ming on the popularity of basketball in China.
• The Power of Basketball Films: Analyzing how movies like "Hoosiers" and "Space Jam" have contributed to the sport's cultural significance.
• The NBA and Social Activism: Discussing the efforts of players like LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick in advocating for social justice.

Conclusion:

Basketball offers a vast array of essay topics that can captivate and inspire both sports enthusiasts and academic minds alike. Whether you choose to delve into historical moments, cultural impacts, or the psychology behind the sport, exploring the various aspects of basketball can lead to thought-provoking and engaging essays. The 114 topic ideas and examples provided here are just the tip of the iceberg, so feel free to dive deeper and discover your own unique basketball essay topics.

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• Basketball Essay

Essay on Basketball

Basketball is a widely popular and loved sport that is played all around the world. An essay on basketball would be incomplete without the mention of its smart moves and team-building benefits. Basketball is believed to have originated in Canada and the United States of America in the 19th century. There are several health benefits of playing basketball and it is an extremely fun physical activity. In this informative essay about basketball, the various benefits of playing basketball are discussed.

An Essay on Basketball and its Benefits 

While penning down the short paragraph about basketball this needs to be mentioned that when basketball is played, it is meant to be a source of joy and pleasure among its players. The aim of the play is to pass the ball through the basket which is hung on some height. Basketball can be a game between two individuals or, in the case of professional games, it is played between two opposing teams consisting of five players in each team. The score is determined by hitting the basket of each other’s teams. 

Due to the demand for heavy physicality from its players, basketball is highly favored. In this essay on basketball, the several health benefits of playing this sport are discussed:

Basketball is essential in promoting cardiovascular health among its players. It is immensely helpful for one’s heart health. Due to the game’s constant locomotion, the heart rate shows an increase. Thus, basketball lowers the risk of stroke and other heart diseases. 

Basketball is supremely effective in burning calories. Due to its constant, quick movements of running and jumping, basketball acts as a great way of working out and can drastically burn calories. 

Basketball strengthens the bones of its players. Due to the game’s primary dependence on physical energy, basketball results in bone strength among its players. The players’ muscles and bones get strengthened because of the game’s constant action of working muscles against the bones. 

One of the key health benefits which come from playing basketball is boosted immunity and reduced stress. Due to the busy nature of the game, the levels of stress among the players get reduced quite significantly. And with this decreased level of stress, the immune system gets boosted.

The dedicated practice of basketball develops better coordination among its players and improves their motor skills. The nature of basketball demands its players for excellent hand-eye and full-body coordination. Due to continuous training, the players develop their full-body coordination as well as their hand-eye coordination through the practises of dribbling and rebound shots.

Therefore, the health benefits of playing basketball are evident in the physical and mental fitness of the player. Apart from improving one’s overall health and height, the sport also develops fast-thinking abilities, reflex, and team spirit in youngsters.   

Basketball Experience Essay: Tournaments and Players

Now coming to the top basketball tournaments, an essay on basketball is simply incomplete without the mention of these names:

Basketball World Cup

Basketball at the Olympics

American tournaments like NBA, Argentine League LNB

Italian League

Spanish ACB league

To get a full-on understanding of the game and write down a basketball experience essay, one must watch these tournaments. The pace of the tournaments is such that one will automatically grow an addiction towards them. Then, if he is asked to write a basketball descriptive essay he will be able to write it easily.

Basketball essay writing becomes a cakewalk for someone who has grown up watching legends like Kobe Bryant playing the game with elan. The American sportsman spent his entire career playing for Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association. He breathed his last on 26th January 2020. He took the popularity of the sport to a different level and will be remembered for generations to come. 

Finally, if any of the important basketball essay topics are often left out then it has to be- ‘The Famous Indian Basketball Players.’ This basketball essay in English doesn’t do that. It humbly acknowledges the contribution of the famous Indian basketball players like Sat Prasad Yadav, Akilan Pari, and Prashanti Singh. They have made it really big over the years and continue to inspire millions of basketball players from all across the country. 

An Essay on My Favourite Game - Basketball

Basketball is a widely popular game that is played by several people all across the globe. In this section of basketball essay topics, the topics which will be discussed are the benefits of basketball in a person’s physical and mental health. There are several ways a person can benefit from playing basketball and those benefits are discussed in this basketball introduction essay.

The Basketball Essay in Short

Numerous physical and mental benefits result from playing basketball. Basketball is highly effective in promoting the cardiovascular health of its players. A healthy heart diminishes risks of heart diseases later in one’s life. Basketball’s high physical demand is crucial in burning calories and reducing body fat in its players.

Basketball also strengthens the bones due to the constant friction of muscles against them. It improves the immune system of the body and is effective in increasing players’ self-esteem.

Therefore, this is a complete essay on basketball in English which throws light on the game’s health benefits as well as how it helps to shape the entire personality of a player. 

FAQs on Basketball Essay

1. What is the Highest Governing Body in Basketball?

FIBA ( International Basketball Federation) is the highest governing body in basketball.  

2. Name Some of the Famous Basketball Players in the World. 

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, and Late Kobe Bryant are some of the famous basketball players of all time. 

3. Which Court is Considered as the Main Court in Basketball- The Outdoor Court or the Indoor Court?

In basketball, the indoor court is considered as the main court while the game played on the outdoor court is often called street ball. 

4. What are the health benefits of playing basketball? 

Playing basketball results in countless health benefits from burning calories to improving heart health by lowering the risk of getting a stroke. But a great cardiovascular health isn’t the only amazing health benefit playing this sport provides. It also strengthens one’s bones as well as muscles. It also leads to boosting of one’s immune system. And like engaging in almost any other sport or exercise, playing basketball has also shown to reduce the stress levels of its players quite conspicuously. This way, playing basketball also has a positive effect on not only one’s physical health, but their mental health as well.  

5. Who are some of the most famous basketball players? How does this sport shape the personality of its players?

Some of the most famous and highly respected basketball players include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Satnam Singh, Amritpal Singh, and Prashanti Singh to name a few. 

Basketball tends to mould and shape the personality of the players just as much as it improves their physical and mental health. There are a lot of values, ethical beliefs, and other such aspects from the game that one can even apply to their everyday life like sportsmanship, teamwork, confidence, etc. 

6. What are some interesting facts about basketball? 

Initially, as the sport started, dribbling was not allowed at all and if a player got the - ball at a point and they compulsorily had to throw it to another player and continue the game like that. 

A physical education teacher, James Naismith, is the one who invented this sport and also wrote down the very first, the official rulebook of basketball.  

Michael Jordan wore his signature Air Jordans, his favorite shoes, by paying a fine as these shoes went against the guidelines of the NBA dress code. 

At the very beginning of it all, basketball was actually played with a soccer ball and a peach basket. 

7. What are some important rules of basketball? 

Some basic yet key rules of the game are: 

Each team is supposed to have 5 players present on the court at all times during the game. 

In order to win, a team has to score more field goals than the opponent team.

A player is not allowed to run with the ball; a player is only supposed to advance the ball by dribbling or passing and if a player stops dribbling, they have to either pass it or shoot it, not resume dribbling. 

There are quite a lot of fouls in the game and elbowing, blocking, tripping or knocking someone off, are some of the most common ones. 

To inbound the ball, the offense only has 5 seconds. 

Defenders are not allowed to interfere with a shot that is on a downward trajectory. In fact, this is considered to be illegal and is known as goaltending as it grants an automatic field goal to the offence then.

Both the ball handler as well as the ball have to remain within the boundaries of the court at all times. 

The defending team is legally allowed to block or steal the ball from the offending team and they can even use defensive tactics to prevent the latter from shooting and/or scoring. 

Each team has only a limited period of time during a given possession to shoot the ball. While in the NBA, this time limit is 24 seconds, in the NCCA, it is about 30 seconds. 

8. How does Vedantu encourage students to study?

One of the most popular and modern features of Vedantu is its one-on-one live interaction amongst the teacher and their students. As it is known, learning and studying by yourself with the help of the internet, and doing that in the presence of a teaching expert are two majorly different things with the latter being way more effective. This live interaction lets students communicate their thoughts and ideas more smoothly and also helps with the doubt-solving more easily. This social structure within Vedantu is one of the main ways through which it pushes students to study and speak their minds out loud. This is why Vedantu is a highly recommended portal for students to brighten their future. 

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Benefits of Playing Basketball to Mental and Physical Health

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Introduction, impact of basketball on growth and muscle, basketball and effect on stress, works cited.

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Publications, let me enfold thee, an essay on basketball by gonzaga faculty member shann ray ferch.

Let me enfold thee, and hold thee to my heart. Shakespeare

What is it like to be a college basketball player?

Probably quite a bit similar to what it’s like being a college student, or a dancer, a poet, or a scientist. College basketball involves a great dream. We might say the dream is life, and then we might wonder, what does life ask of us? The answer may mean the difference between despair and hope; or the distance, nuanced, oblique, between darkness and light; or the resolution and peace that come of being in the presence of beloved others who have loved us and changed us forever.

Gonzaga University has enjoyed a sustained and by some accounts miraculous journey into the heart of college basketball. For those who love basketball and have been graced to witness the journey, there remains both the beauty and vigor of excellence developed over many days, months, and years, and also the ultimate dream of the sport: the possibility of a National Championship. At each level of competitive basketball every player who seeks a higher goal holds the dream of a championship very close. Whether or not the dream is realized is a matter left to the dynamic interplay of devotion, fortitude, chemistry, chance, fate, and luck.

This essay* is a mosaic of my own experiences playing basketball in high school, college, and in the German Bundesliga, and finding myself on the other side of the dream, held by even greater dreams about love, forgiveness, reconciliation, wholeness, and the mystery of the Divine.

* Parts of this essay appeared previously in Narrative Magazine and the book Blood Fire Vapor Smoke

In the dark I still line up the seams of the ball to the form of my fingers. I see the rim, the follow-through, the arm lifted and extended, a pure jump shot with a clean release and good form. I see the long-range trajectory and the ball on a slow backspin arcing toward the hoop, the net waiting for the swish.

In Montana, high school basketball is a thing as strong as family or work and when I grew up Jonathan Takes Enemy, a member of the Apsaalooké (Crow) Nation, was the best basketball player in the state. He led Hardin High, a school with years of losing tradition, into the state spotlight, carrying the team and the community on his shoulders all the way to the state tournament where he averaged 41 points per game. He created legendary moments that decades later are still mentioned in state basketball circles, and he did so with a force that made me both fear and respect him. On the court, nothing was outside the realm of his skill: the jump shot, the drive, the sweeping left-handed finger roll, the deep fade-away jumper. He could deliver what we all dreamed of, and with a venom that said don’t get in my way.

I was a year younger than Jonathan, playing for an all-white school in Livingston when our teams met in the divisional tournament and he and the Hardin Bulldogs delivered us a crushing 17-point defeat. At the close of the third quarter with the clock winding down and his team with a comfortable lead, Takes Enemy pulled up from one step in front of half-court and shot a straight, clean jumper. Though the range of it was more than 20 feet beyond the three-point line, his form remained pure. The audacity and raw beauty of the shot hushed the crowd. A common knowledge came to everyone: few people can even throw a basketball that far with any accuracy, let alone take a real shot with good form. Takes Enemy landed and as the ball was in the air he turned, no longer watching the flight of the ball, and began to walk back toward his team bench. The buzzer sounded, he put his fist high, the shot swished into the net. The crowd erupted.

Many of these young men did not escape the violence that surrounded the alcohol and drug traffic on the reservations, but their natural flow on the court inspired me toward the kind of boldness that gives artistry and freedom to any endeavor. Such boldness is akin to passion. For these young men, and for myself at that time, our passion was basketball.

But rather than creating in me my own intrepid response, seeing Takes Enemy only emphasized how little I knew of courage, not just on the basketball court, but in life. Takes Enemy breathed a confidence I lacked, a leadership potential that lived and moved. Robert Greenleaf said, “A mark of leaders, an attribute that puts them in a position to show the way for others, is that they are better than most at pointing the direction.” Takes Enemy was better than most. He and his team worked as one as they played with fluidity and abandon. I began to look for this way of life as an athlete and as a person. The search brought me to people who lived life not through dominance or coercion but through love and freedom of movement.

In the half dark of the house, a light burning over my shoulder, I find myself asking who commandeers the vessels of our dreams? I see Jonathan Takes Enemy like a war horse running, fierce and filled with immense power. The question gives me pause to remember him and his artistry, and how he played for something more.

By the time my brother Kral and I reached high school, we both had the dream, Kral already on his way to the top, me two years younger and trying to learn everything I could. We’d received the dream equally from our father and from the rez, the Crow rez at Plenty Coups, and the Tsitsistas (Northern Cheyenne) rez in the southeast corner of Montana. In Montana tribal basketball is a game of speed and precision passing, a form of controlled wildness that is hard to come by in non-reservation basketball circles. Fast and quick-handed, the rez ballers rise like something elemental, finding each other with sleight of hand stylings and no-look passes, pressing and cutting in stream-like movements that converge to rivers, taking down passing lanes with no will but to create chaos and action and fury, the kind of kindle that smolders and leaps up to set whole forests aflame.

Kral and I lost the dream late, both having made it to the D-1 level, both with opportunity to play overseas, but neither of us making the NBA.

Along the way, I helped fulfill our father’s tenacious hopes: two state championships at Park High in Livingston, one first as a sophomore with Kral, a massive win in which the final score was 104 to 64, with Kral totaling 46 points, 20 rebounds, and three dunks. And one two years later when I was a senior with a band of runners that averaged nearly 90 points a game before there was a three-point line. We took the title in what sportswriters still refer to as the greatest game in Montana high school basketball history, a 99-97 double-overtime thriller in 85’ at the Max Worthington Arena at Montana State University, before a crowd of 10,000.

Afterward on the bus ride through the mountains I remember my chest pressed to the back of the seat as I stared behind us. The post-game show blared over the speakers, everyone still whooping and hollering. “We’re comin’ home!” the radio man yelled, “We’re coming home!” and from the wide back window I saw a line of cars miles long and lit up, snaking from the flat before Livingston all the way up the pass to Bozeman. The dream of a dream, the Niitsítapi and the Apsaalooké, the Blackfeet and the Crow, the Nēhilawē and the Tsitsistas, the Cree and the Northern Cheyenne, the white boys, the enemies and the friends, and the clean line of basketball walking us out toward skeletal hoops in the dead of winter, the hollow in our eyes lonely but lovely in its way.

At Montana State University, I played shooting guard on the last team in the league my freshman year. Our team: seven Black men from all across America and five White kids mostly from Montana. We had a marvelous, magical point guard from Portland named Tony Hampton. He was lightning fast with wonderful ball-handling skills and exceptional court vision. He brought us together with seven games left in the season. Our record at the time was 7 wins, 16 losses. Last place in the conference. “We are getting shoved down by this coaching staff,” he said, and I remember how the criticism and malice were thick from the coaches. Their jobs were on the line. They’d lost touch with their players. Their players had lost touch with them. Tony said, “We need to band together right now. No one is going to do it for us. Whenever you see a teammate dogged by a coach, go up and give that teammate love. Tell him good job. Keep it up. We’re in this together.”

A team talk like that doesn’t typically change a season.

This one did.

Tony spoke the words. We followed him and did what he asked, and we went on a seven-game win streak, starting that very night when we beat the 17th-ranked team in the country, on the road. The streak didn’t end until the NCAA tournament eight games later. In that stretch, Tony averaged 19 points and 11 assists per game. He led the way and we were unfazed by outside degradation. We had our own inner strength. Playing as one, we won the final three games of the regular season. We entered the Big Sky Conference tournament in last place and beat the fourth-, second-, and first-place teams in the league to advance to March Madness. When we came home from the conference tournament as champions, it felt like the entire town of Bozeman was at the airport to greet us. We waded through a river of people giving high fives and held a fiery pep rally with speeches and roars of applause.

We went on to the NCAA tournament as the last-ranked team, the 64th team in a tournament which at that time had only 64 teams. We were slated to play St. John’s, the number one team in the nation. We faced off in the first game of the southwest regional at Long Beach, and far into the second half we were up by four. St. John’s featured future NBA players Mark Jackson (future NBA All-Star), Walter Berry (collegiate player of the year), and Shelton Jones (future winner of the NBA dunk contest). We featured no one with national recognition. We played well and had the lead late in the second half, but in the end we lost by nine.

When my brother graduated from Montana State I transferred and played my final two seasons of college basketball for Pepperdine University. At that time, Pepperdine had been a league-leading team for many years. Our main rival was Loyola Marymount University, featuring consensus All-American Hank Gathers and the multi-talented scorer Bo Kimble. My senior year at Pepperdine we beat Loyola Marymount 127-114 in a true barn-burner! Also a fine grudge match, considering they beat us earlier in the season at their place. We were set to play each other in the championship game of the West Coast Conference tournament but before we could meet at the top of the bracket, Hank died, and the tournament was immediately canceled.

The funeral was in Los Angeles, a ceremony of gut-wrenching grief and bereavement in which we gathered to honor one of the nation’s young most-radiant men. We prayed for him and for his family and for all who would come after him bearing his legacy of love for the game, elite athleticism, and the gift of living life to the full. His team went on to the NCAA tournament and made it all the way to the Elite 8. Bo Kimble shot his first free-throw of the NCAA tournament left-handed in honor of Hank. The shot went in. The nation mourned. The athletes who knew Hank were never the same.

As a freshman in high school, I was tiny, barely five feet tall, and my goal was to play Division 1 basketball. I’d had this goal since I was a child and because of my height and weight it seemed impossible, and actually felt impossible. I was small, but I made a deal with myself to do whatever it might take from my end to try to get to the D-1 level, so if I did not accomplish the goal, I knew at least I had given my all. I grew eight inches the summer before my sophomore year in high school, thanked heaven, and began to think perhaps the goal was not totally out of reach.

Hour after hour. Everyday. The dream was now fully formed, bright shining, and excruciating. I played 8 hours per day before my junior year, 10 hours per day before my senior season. At the height of it I played 17 hours in one day. Hours of solitude and physical exhaustion were plentiful. I gave my life to the discipline of being a point guard and a shooting guard. I worked on moves, passing, shooting, defending, ball handling. The regimen involved getting up at 7 a.m. at the singlewide trailer we lived in, on my bike by 7:40, traveling the highway toward Livingston, yellow transistor radio (borrowed from my mom) in the front pocket of my windbreaker, the ball tucked up under the coat, and me riding to Eastside, the court bordered by a grade school to the east, the sheriff’s station and the firehall to the north, and small houses to the west. A few blocks south, the Yellowstone River moved and churned and flowed east. Above the river a wall of mountains reached halfway up the sky.

Mostly I was by myself, but because the town had a love for basketball, there were many hours with friends too. In those moments with others, or isolated hours trying to hone my individual basketball skills, I faced many, many frustrations, but finally the body broke into the delight of hard work and found a rhythm, a pattern in which there was the slow advance toward something greater than oneself. Often the threshold of life is a descent into darkness, a powerful and intimate and abiding darkness in which the light finally emerges.

“Beauty will save the world,” Dostoevsky said.

Because of basketball I know there exists the reality of being encumbered or full of grace, beset with darkness and or in convergence with light. This interplay echoes the wholly realized vision of exceptional point guards and the daring of pure shooting guards, met with fortitude even under immense pressure.

At Eastside, both low end and high end have square metal backboards marked by quarter-sized holes to keep the wind from knocking the baskets down. Livingston is the fifth windiest city in the world. The playground has a slant to it that makes one basket lower than the other. The low end is nine-feet, 10 inches high, and we all come here to throw down in the summer. Too small, they say, but we don’t listen. Inside-outside, between-the-legs, behind-the-back, cross it up, skip-to-my-lou, fake and go, doesn't matter, any of these lose the defender. Then we rise up and throw down. We rig up a break-away on the rim and because of the way we hang on it in the summer, our hands get thick and tough. We can all dunk now, so the break-away is a necessity, a spring-loaded rim made to handle the power of power-dunks. The break-away rim came into being after Darryl Dawkins, nicknamed Chocolate Thunder, broke two of the big glass backboards in the NBA. On the first one Dawkins’ force was so immense the glass caved in and fell out the back of the frame. On the second, the window exploded and everyone ducked their heads and ran to avoid the fractured glass that flew from one end of the court to the other. Within two years every high school in the nation had break-aways, and my friends and I convinced our assistant coach to give us one so we could put it up on the low end at Eastside.

The high end is the shooter's end, made for the pure shooter, a silver ring 10-feet, two inches high with a long white net. At night the car lights bring it alive, rim and backboard like an industrial artwork, everything mounted on a steel-grey pole that stems down into the concrete, down deep into the hard soil.

A senior in high school, I’m 17. I leave the car lights on, cut the engine and grab my basketball from the heat in the passenger foot space. I step out. The air is crisp. The wind carries the cold, dry smell of autumn, and further down, more faint, the smell of roots, the smell of earth. Out over the city, strands of cloud turn grey, then black. When the sun goes down there is a depth of night unfathomable, the darkness rent by a flurry of stars.

I call the ballers by name, the great Native basketball legends, some my own contemporaries, some who came before. I learn from them and receive the river, their smoothness, their brazenness, like the Yellowstone River seven blocks south, dark and wide, stronger than the city it surrounds, perfect in form where it moves and speaks, bound by night. If I listen my heroes lift me out away from here, fly me farther than they flew themselves. In Montana, young men are Native and they are White, loving, hating. At Lodge Grass, at Lame Deer, I was afraid at first. But now I see. The speaking and the listening, the welcoming: Tim Falls Down, Marty Round Face and Max and Luke Spotted Bear from Plenty Coups; Joe Pretty Paint from Lodge Grass; and at St. Labre, Juneau Plenty Hawk, Willie Gardner, and Fred and Paul Deputee. All I loved, all I watched with wonder—and few got free.

Most played ball for my father, a few for rival teams. Some I watched as a child, and I loved the uncontrolled nature of their moves. Some I grew up playing against. And some I merely heard of in basketball circles years later, the rumble of their greatness, the stories of games won or lost on last second shots.

The body in unison, the step, the gather, the arc of the ball in the air like a crescent moon—the follow-through a small well-lit cathedral, the correct push and the floppy wrist, the proper backspin, the arm held high, the night, the ball, the basket, everything illumined.

We are given moments like these, to rise with Highwalker and Falls Down and Spotted Bear, with Round Face and Old Bull and Takes Enemy: to shoot the jump shot and feel the follow through that lifts and finds a path in the air, the sound, the sweetness of the ball on a solitary arc in darkness as the ball falls into the net.

All is complete. The maze lies open, an imprint that reminds me of the Highline, the Blackfeet and Charlie Calf Robe, the Crow and Joe Pretty Paint, the Cheyenne and Highwalker, a form of forms that is a memory trace and the weaving of a line begun by Native men, by White men, by my father and Calf Robe’s and Pretty Paint’s and Highwalker’s fathers, by our fathers’ fathers, and by all the fathers that have gone before, some of them distant and many gone, all of them beautiful in their way.

Fresh from professional ball in Germany I went with my dad to the Charlie Calf Robe Memorial Tournament on the Blackfeet rez in northeast Montana. The tribe devoted an entire halftime to my father and he didn't even coach on that reservation. They presented him with a beaded belt buckle and a blanket for the coaching he’d done on other reservations, the Cheynne rez, the Crow rez—to show their respect for him as an elder who was a friend to the Native Nations of Montana. During the ceremony they wrapped the blanket around his shoulders, signifying he would always be welcome in the tribe.

On that weekend with him, I received an unforeseen wholly unique gift. Dedicated as a memorial to the high school athlete Charlie Calf Robe, a young Blackfeet artist, long distance runner, and basketball player who died young, the tournament was a form of community grieving over the loss of a beloved son. The Most Valuable Player award was made by Charlie’s wife, Honey Davis, who spent nine months crafting an entirely beaded basketball for the event. When the tribe and Honey herself presented the ball to me, and I walked through the gym with my father, an old Blackfeet man approached us. He touched my arm, and smiled a wide smile.

“You can’t dribble that one, sonny” he said.

I saw my father’s father only a handful of times.

He lived in little more than a one room shack in Circle, Montana. In the shack next door was my grandfather’s brother, a trapper who dried animal hides on boards and leaned them against walls and tables. I remember rattlesnake rattles in a small pile on the surface of a wooden three-legged stool. A hunting knife with a horn handle. On the floor, small and medium-sized closed steel traps. An old rifle in the corner near the door.

My father and I drive the two-lane highway as we enter town. We pick up my grandfather stumbling drunk down the middle of the road and take him home.

Years later my grandpa sits in the same worn linoleum kitchen in an old metal chair with vinyl backing. Dim light from the window. His legs crossed, a rolled cigarette lit in his left hand, he runs his right hand through a shock of silver hair atop his head, bangs yellowed by nicotine. Bent or upright or sideways, empty beer cans litter the floor.

“Who is it?” he says, squinting into the dark.

“Tommy,” my dad says, “your son.”

“Who?” the old man says.

When we leave, my grandpa still doesn’t recognize him.

On the way home through the dark, I watch my father’s eyes.

My grandfather was largely isolated late in life. No family members were near him when he died. He once loved to walk the hills after the spring runoff in search of arrowheads with his family. But in my grandpa’s condition before death his desire for life was eclipsed. He became morose and very depressed. In the end, alcohol killed him.

There’s J.P. Batista, a powerful player dubbed “The Beast” when he played here because he could score on anyone, and if he was hungry on the court, which was always, we said “Feed the Beast!” There’s David Pendergraft, perhaps the most beloved generational talent in Gonzaga’s history because he played with unquenchable fire and if he was guarding the best player on the other team, which was nearly always, the other team was in trouble. There’s Ronny Turiaf, a man whose heart was as big as the world, on and off the court. Finally, there’s Mike Nilson, the soul of the first GU teams to break through into the dream of advancing far into March Madness, a beautiful person with uncommon tenacity and loyalty, who serves others with grace and ease. Too many to be named, the players the community has welcomed, known and loved leave a legacy we as dear as any championship run.

In present-day Montana, with its cold winters and far distant towns, the love of high school basketball is a time-honored tradition. Native teams have most often dominated the basketball landscape, winning multiple state titles on the shoulders of modern day warriors who are both highly skilled and intrepid.

Tribal basketball comes like a fresh wind to change the climate of the reservation from downtrodden to celebrational. Plenty Coups with Luke Spotted Bear and Dana Goes Ahead won two state championships in the early eighties. After that, Lodge Grass, under Elvis Old Bull won three straight. Jonathan Takes Enemy remains perhaps the most revered. Deep finger rolls with either hand, his jumpshot a thing of beauty, with his quick vertical leap he threw down 360s, and with power. We played against each other numerous times in high school, his teams still revered by the old guard, a competition fiery and glorious, and then we went our separate ways.

For a few months he attended Sheridan Community College in Wyoming then dropped out.

He played city league, his name appearing in the Billings papers with him scoring over 60 points on occasion, and once 73.

Later I heard he’d done some drinking, gained weight, and become mostly immobile.

But soon after that he cleaned up, lost weight, earned a scholarship at Rocky Mountain College and formed a nice career averaging a bundle of assists and over 20 points a game. A prize-winning article on Takes Enemy appeared in “Sports Illustrated.”

A few years ago we sat down again at a tournament called the Big Sky Games. We didn’t talk much about the past. He’d been off the Crow reservation for awhile, living on the Yakima reservation in Washington. He said he felt he had to leave Montana. He’d found a good job. His vision was on his family. The way his eyes lit up when he spoke of his daughter was a clear reflection of his life, a man willing to sacrifice to enrich others. His face was full of promise, and thinking of her he smiled. “She’ll graduate from high school this year,” he said, and it became apparent to me that the happiness he felt was greater than all the fame that came of the personal honors he had attained.

Jonathan Takes Enemy navigated the personal terrain necessary to be present to to his daughter. I hope to follow him and be present for my daughters. By walking into and through the night he eventually left the dark behind and found light rising to greet him.

Inside me still are the memories of players I knew as a boy, the stories of basketball legends. From Montana, from Gonzaga, from Europe. The geography of such stories still shapes the way I speak or grow quiet, and shapes my understanding of things that begin in fine lines and continue until all the lines are gathered and woven to a greater image. That image, circular, airborne, is the outline and the body of my hope.

The drive is not far and before long I’m at Mission Park. I take the ball from the space in the backseat of my car and walk out onto the court. I approach the top of the key where I bounce the ball twice before I gather and release a high-arcing jumpshot.

Beside me, Blake Walks Nice sends his jumper into the air and Joe Pretty Paint’s follow through stands like the neck of a swan.

The ball falls from the sky toward the open rim and the diamond-patterned net.

Behind us and to the side only darkness.

An arm of steel extends from the high corner of a nearby building.

A light burns there.

As we draw near to another NCAA tournament, I don’t want to forget the dream. The following poem is written in honor of Jose Hernandez, Tony Hampton, Melichi Four Bear, Gernell Killsnight, Jonathan Takes Enemy, Dexter Howard, Doug Christie, J.P. Batista, Ronny Turiaf, David Pendergraft, Mike Nilson, Tim Falls Down, Bobby Jones, Paul Deputee, Blake Walks Nice, Ron Moses and so many other men, each of us inscribed by culture, intuition, race, and love, each of us united by an elegant game, and united by giving ourselves so that others might become more beautiful, more holy. Of the group above, one died a difficult death after years in prison at the outskirts of San Francisco, another was shot in the head by a high-powered rifle at a party near Crow Agency, a third was knifed to death outside Jim Town Bar, a fourth took his own life by hanging, a fifth died of an alcohol-laced car wreck when his vehicle flew from a bridge into a winter river. The rest are still alive. The rest still love with an undying love those who have passed before us to the next world. We receive from them the blessing they give, and we ask God for the mercy to keep the dream.

the way your hands moved through mid-air reaching for round light leather has always been to me not unlike the intimate fusion that connects the core of high magnitude stars

in the place where God shapes bones and ligament, fingers, thumb and palm we hated each other, brother, until basketball made me a point guard and you a swing man flyer who walked on wind

collectively we’d set our bodies to beat one another until our faces cracked like porcelain and blood-rivers ran the cheek-bone shelves of a south sunk in wine-water because America meant us for violence

but better than we knew God knew us and now that the game is over i can’t unremember you enfolding me as I hold you to my heart and you cup your hand to the back of my head

About the Author

Poet and prose writer Shann Ray Ferch teaches leadership and forgiveness studies at Gonzaga University. Ferch is the author of a work of leadership and political theory, Forgiveness and Power in the Age of Atrocity: Servant Leadership as a Way of Life (Rowman & Littlefield), and co-editor of Servant-Leadership, Feminism, and Gender Well-Being (SUNY Press), Servant-Leadership and Forgiveness (SUNY Press), Global Servant-Leadership (Rowman &Littlefield), Conversations on Servant Leadership (SUNY Press) and The Spirit of Servant Leadership (Paulist Press). In his role as professor of leadership studies with the internationally renowned PhD program in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga, he has served as a visiting scholar in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. His novel, American Copper (Unbridled Press), is a love song to America revealing the radiant and profound life of Evelynne Lowry, a woman who transcends the national myth of regeneration through violence. The novel won the Foreword Book of the Year Readers’ Choice Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award, and was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award, the High Plains Book Award and the Foreword Book of the Year Award for Literary Fiction. Explore more of his writing here . 

• Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies

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Essay On Basketball – 10 Lines, Short And Long Essay For Children

Key Points To Note: Essay On Basketball For Lower Primary Classes

10 lines on basketball for kids, a paragraph on basketball for kids, short essay on basketball in english for children, long essay on ‘my favourite sport is basketball’ for kids, what will your child learn from this essay, interesting facts about basketball for kids.

One of the most popular topics for English composition is an essay on basketball for classes 1, 2 and 3 kids. Writing a basketball essay in English is fun for kids as sports is an interesting subject to write on. We all know sports play an important part in the development and growth of a child. Every child plays one or more kinds of sports in their school and with friends. However, basketball is one sport that most kids play. It can be played between two teams or two kids in a playground, court, or backyard.

Most kids in lower primary classes enjoy playing basketball, but they struggle when it comes to writing an essay on basketball in English. Here are some key points that will help them to write essays on basketball easily:

• Write in brief about basketball.
• Explain its rules, terminology, how is it played, etc.
• Benefits of playing basketball.
• Write the reasons for liking basketball.

Writing a basketball essay for classes 1 and 2 may be difficult initially. Here are a few lines to help them write an essay on basketball:

• Basketball is my favourite sport.
• This popular sport is played across the world.
• It can be played between two players or two teams.
• The player has to dribble the ball, run and jump to play this game.
• We can play it on a basketball court or in our backyard with a net ring.
• The players must dribble the ball and put the ball through net rings to score.
• The team that scores the maximum points wins the game.
• It is a game that boosts team building.
• Running and jumping makes the players strong.
• Most kids love this game.

Here, we have a short paragraph about basketball that is easy to remember. This simple paragraph can be used by kids to write an essay on basketball.

Basketball is a world popular sport. It is played in many different countries. The smart moves and physical activity make it a fun sport. It is believed that basketball originated in the USA in the 19th century. Usually, basketball is played between two teams with five players each. However, for a friendly match, the count of the players can vary. For example, it can be played between two players or more than five players in a non-professional setting. There are many variations of the game. The team that scores the most points wins the match. This sport promotes good physical health and team building. Therefore, it’s no wonder it is one of the most popular sports.

Here we have a short essay for classes 1, 2 and 3 on basketball. They can take reference from this to write an essay on basketball:

Basketball is one of the most popular physical sports in the world. In most countries, it is played on a professional level. It is a great sport because of the clever team techniques and fun physical effort. Basketball is said to have originated in the 19th century in the United States. Basketball is usually played between two teams, each with five players. A friendly match, on the other hand, can be played between two players or more than five players. The game can be played with a lot of variations. To score points, each team needs to put the ball in the net ring of the opposite team. The players need to dribble, run, and then jump to put the ball through the net ring. The team with the highest goals or baskets wins the game. The game has several positions, and the team gets divided based on those positions. Basketball is a team game, where the whole team has to play as per rules. Players breaking the rules attract penalty points. This sport encourages physical fitness as well as teamwork. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular sports worldwide.

Class 1 or 2 students are asked to write short essays. However, an essay for class 3 students is longer. Here is a long essay on basketball for kids:

I play many sports, but basketball is my favourite. I have played basketball with my elder brother since I was 3. We had a basketball net ring in our backyard. As I played basketball at home, I could easily make it to the junior basketball team in school. I am one of the youngest players on my school team. Let’s talk about the points like history, types, and benefits that made me a big fan of this game.

History Of Basketball

Basketball is an indoor sport invented by a Massachusetts professor at Springfield College. It was created by James Naismith in December 1891. James Naismith created this game for his students because they were bored during winter. So, he developed a game that everyone could play inside.

Types Of Basketball Games

Basketball can be played in different variations in many environments with a different set of rules. Some types of basketball games are:

• Recreational Basketball –  This type of basketball is played in schools and colleges. It aims at teaching students basic basketball skills with no winning or losing.
• Disabled Basketball – This was developed for people who cannot play the general basketball sport.
• Prison Basketball –  This type of basketball was developed for people in prison or penitentiary institutions.
• Show Basketball – This type of basketball is aimed at entertaining the audience, like a drama. It is a pre-planned activity, and many celebrities, and professional players, play for charity events.

Benefits Of Playing Basketball For Kids

Playing basketball has numerous health and other benefits for kids. It is a great sports game to stay active and fit. Playing basketball strengthens bones and muscles and boosts immunity, making us strong. We also learn team spirit and team building by playing basketball

How To Play Basket Ball – Terminology And Rules

Basketball is played with a set of rules and terms. It is a two-team game where both teams compete to score the maximum points. Each team has twelve players; where five players play, and seven are seated on the bench. A team can score one, two, or three points by successfully shooting the ball in the hoop. A basketball game is divided into four twelve-minute quarters, for a total game length of forty-eight minutes.

One popular term is draft choice, referring to a player chosen to play for the NBA’s 30 clubs. A free throw means a throw from the end of the line, and a personal foul is when a player makes physical contact with a player from the opposite team.

From an essay about basketball, your child will learn in detail about the sport. As they write the essay, besides the structuring of such essays, they will understand the game and how to play it in depth. They will also see the health benefits of playing basketball.

 Some interesting facts about basketball:

• Basketball played on an outdoor court is called street ball.
• The game of basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
• Initially, in basketball dribbling wasn’t a feature.
• The farthest basketball shot was made by Joshua Walker in 2022.
• Earlier, basketball was played with a soccer ball or football.

1. Which Is The Highest Governing Body Of Basketball?

The highest governing body of Basketball is the FIBA (International Basketball Federation).

2. Who Are Some Famous Basketball Players In The World?

Some famous basketball players are Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Lebron James.

3. What Are The Major Tournaments In Basketball?

The major Basketball tournaments are:

• Basketball World Cup
• Italian league
• Spanish ACB league

Basketball is a popular sport worldwide, played both professionally and recreationally. The flexibility of the sport with its fun tactics makes it a favourite sport for millions of kids.

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Has a school won the NCAA men's and women's tournaments in the same year? NC State can in 2024

A college basketball team winning a national championship is a gargantuan achievement dreamed of by many but realized by precious few.

A team has to traverse a four-month regular season to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and, based on the history of the event, have a good enough seed that will give it a manageable path to a title. Once in the tournament, it has to win six consecutive games against the best competition in the country and in highly pressurized environments that can cause even the most talented and experienced players to crumble.

One team from a single school clearing all those hurdles is enough of a challenge. What about two teams? Well, that’s even rarer.

Still, NC State is tantalizingly close to doing so.

REQUIRED READING: NC State basketball punches Final Four ticket, ends Duke's March Madness run

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.

With a pair of Elite Eight victories Sunday, the Wolfpack’s men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the Final Four, putting each team two wins away from their sport’s ultimate prize. That quest will resume later this week as the men’s team faces off against Purdue Saturday and the women’s team squares off against top overall seed South Carolina Friday, with a spot in the national championship game on the line for both.

Should Kevin Keatts' and Wes Moore’s squads both manage to pull off that feat, NC State will earn a distinction few in the history of NCAA basketball have.

Here’s a look at the potential history at stake for the Wolfpack entering Sunday’s games:

Has a team won men’s and women’s basketball championships in same year?

Indeed it has happened before, an achievement owned by a single school: UConn. The Huskies captured both the men ’s and women ’s NCAA titles in 2004 and 2014.

In 2004, UConn’s basketball teams combined to go 64-10, with the men defeating Georgia Tech in the championship game while the women got past rival Tennessee in their title matchup. Both teams were 2 seeds that year.

Ten years later, the Huskies replicated the accomplishment, with one of the two champions being a little more surprising than the other. While the women, with eight future WNBA players on their roster, won each NCAA Tournament game by at least 15 points on their way to a 40-0 season, the men, as a 7 seed that entered the event with a 26-8 record, became the second-lowest seed to ever win a title, behind only 8 seed Villanova’s championship in 1985.

REQUIRED READING: NC State women's basketball survives Texas, will play in first Final Four since 1998

Has a school ever made the men’s and women’s basketball championships in the same year?

A school’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have made the NCAA championship game in the same year four times, going back to 1982, when the NCAA assumed governing power over women’s college basketball.

In addition to UConn in 2004 and 2014, Louisville did so in 2013 and Duke did so in 1999. The Cardinals’ men’s team defeated Michigan in the national championship game (a win later vacated by the NCAA following an investigation into the school’s escort scandal) while their women’s team lost to UConn. Both of the Blue Devils’ teams lost in the title game in 1999, falling to UConn on the men’s side and Purdue on the women’s side.

Has a school ever made the men’s and women’s Final Four in the same year?

There have been 14 instances of a school’s men’s and women’s teams reaching the NCAA Final Four in the same year, with NC becoming the newest member of that exclusive club.

Here is a list of the schools that have done so:

• NC State, 2024
• South Carolina, 2017
• Syracuse, 2016
• UConn, 2014
• Louisville, 2013
• UConn, 2011
• UConn, 2009
• Michigan State, 2005
• UConn, 2004
• Texas, 2003
• Oklahoma, 2002
• Georgia, 1983

Dominant Dozen: Southwest Missouri's best boys' basketball players of 2023-24 season

The Springfield News-Leader is proud to announce its 2023-24 Dominant Dozen — honoring the 12 most impactful players of the high school basketball season.

The players were picked based on in-season production, News-Leader observations and consultations with high school basketball coaches from across the area. Statistics and other data were provided by coaches.

Springfield-area members of the Dominant Dozen are all finalists for the News-Leader's boys' high school basketball player of the year. The News-Leader will announce its All-Ozarks teams this week, which includes large- and small-school coach of the year honors.

2020-21 — Dominant Dozen: The Ozarks' best boys basketball players of the 2020-21 season

2021-22 — Dominant Dozen: The Ozarks' best boys basketball players of the 2021-22 season

2022-23 — Dominant Dozen: Southwest Missouri's best boys' basketball players of the 2022-23 season

As expected, there was quite a bit of movement from our preseason team to the one that counts at the end of the year. Seven players from our preseason team made the final 12 with two coming from our annual "players who will make us regret not putting them in the Dominant Dozen" list. Three others broke out and made names for themselves without any preseason recognition.

Here are the 2023-24 Dominant Dozen, the Next Dozen and honorable mention selections in alphabetical order by last name.

Chase Branham, Logan-Rogersville

Since launching the Dominant Dozen after the 2020-21 season, no freshman has been named to our postseason team... until now.

Branham's freshman season was special after leading Logan-Rogersville to a Class 4 third-place finish. He lived up to the high expectations he entered high school with and showed why he's a Division I prospect and will be one of the best players in the state for years to come.

Branham finished the year averaging 17.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He scored 31 points on 11 of 19 shooting with five makes from deep in the Wildcats' third-place victory to end the year.

Tyrique Brooks, Central

Brooks, a former Waynesville standout, arrived at Central in time to help lead the Bulldogs to their best finish since 1945.

Brooks has been regarded as one of the area's great athletes as a 6-foot-4 guard who can jump out of the gym. His season included a Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Slam Dunk Contest championship after finishing last year as the runner-up. He averaged 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds entering the state semifinals where he scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Central's Class 6 third-place win over Oak Park.

Central reached heights it hadn't in a very long time. Brooks' arrival helped push the Bulldogs over the top as the area's best team in 2023-24.

More: Despite state semifinal defeat, Central basketball made it known that it's here to stay

Ethan Brown, Rolla

Brown is one of the state's elite players and he followed a strong freshman campaign with an even stronger sophomore season.

Brown averaged 24.9 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Bulldogs and claimed Ozark Conference Player of the Year honors. The Bulldogs went 22-6 this season, their best finish since 2018, and they look like a team that should compete at a high level as long as he's putting on the uniform.

Collin Clark, Greenwood

Clark had been one of the best young players in the area during his first two seasons but he took his game to a new level as a junior. He was the best player for the Blue Jays who won their first district championship since Aminu Mohammed's final season in Springfield in 2021.

Clark averaged 19.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists with Greenwood going 25-4 before a state quarterfinal loss to Class 3 third-place Thayer. Going into his senior year, not many would blame you if you labeled the 6-foot-7 guard as the area's best player entering 2024-25.

More: Collin Clark takes over late to lift Greenwood to district title win over Fair Grove

Jalon Cryer, Hartville

Cryer was the most productive player on a state championship-winning team. Head coach Brett Reed has touted his potential since he was a freshman and Cryer helped deliver a title as a senior.

Cryer averaged 15.5 points and three rebounds for the Eagles. He scored 13 points with four rebounds and three assists during Hartville's state championship win over Weaubleau, leading a defense that allowed only 14 points in the first half.

More: Hartville boys, Skyline girls win high school basketball state championships

Keion Epps, Central

Epps was the captain of the Central Bulldogs and led his team to a third-place finish, the team's highest finish since 1945 and its first semifinal appearance since 1963. He was the team's most consistent player as a junior and turned himself into one of the best players in the state.

Epps finished the year as the Bulldogs' leading scorer, averaging 14.6 points entering the state semifinals. He scored 25 points with eight rebounds and six assists during the team's third-place win over Oak Park.

Clayton Garrison, Chadwick

The Cardinals won their first state championship in school history and they had Garrison, the team's star junior, to thank for it during a 29-3 season.

Garrison averaged 22 points, 10.5 rebounds, five steals and four assists on a resume earning him Class 1 Player of the Year honors. He scored 24 points with 15 rebounds and four assists in Chadwick's 67-38 championship win over Braymer.

More: Chadwick boys basketball wins first state championship in school history

Brenley Hagewood, Republic

Hagewood has been one of the best young players in the area for two seasons and he's broken through for his first Dominant Dozen recognition. He averaged 18.3 points per game this season and led one of the area's best teams.

Hagewood was a 47.6% shooter and knocked down 44 shots from deep. He's one of the area's best all-around scorers and will continue into his senior year.

Jacob Lafferty, Sparta

Lafferty is the only player in this year's Dominant Dozen to repeat as he exits his career at Sparta as one of its all-time greats. He averaged 28.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.8 steals during his senior year. He averaged nearly 31 points per game in conference play.

His career ended with the most points in Sparta history with 2,412 total and 1,238 rebounds. He scored 800 points this season alone and earned all-state honors for the second time.

Adam McKnight, Nixa

Another freshman on this list, McKnight emerged as one of the best players in the area by averaging a double-double in his first year playing for the Eagles.

McKnight averaged 13.4 points and 10.1 boards for Nixa while keeping it among the better teams in the area. He has a tremendous motor as a 6-foot-4, 185-pounder that earned him a starring role for a program that rarely starts freshmen in the first place. He's only going to get better.

Cody Voysey, Strafford

Voysey turned in one of the best scoring seasons in Strafford history and continued to be one of the best shooters in southwest Missouri. After a Next Dozen honor a year ago, he's cracked the Dominant Dozen after his junior year.

Voysey scored 578 points this season, the most by a Strafford player since Darrell Dishman in 1954-55. He averaged 21.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and three steals per game. He'll continue to be Strafford's leader and considered one of the area's best players heading into 2024-25.

Amare Witham, Glendale

Glendale's sophomore phenom improved off a Next Dozen season from a year ago by continuing to put up big numbers and making his team one of the best in southwest Missouri.

Witham averaged 24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists this season. The Falcons won eight of their last 11 games entering the postseason where they beat Republic in the first round before falling to Central in the district semifinals. There aren't many better shooters in the area and when Witham's feeling it, there's not much you can do to stop him.

Tyler Barnett, Fair Grove: Barnett was difficult to stop in the paint for a Fair Grove squad that took another step forward this season. He averaged 13.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per outing.

Tegen Curley, Marshfield: Curley led the Blue Jays to their first winning season since 2021, averaging 18 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The junior, committed to Austin Peay, will be circled as one of the best players in the area again next year.

Barron Duda, Webb City: Duda averaged 22 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Cardinals who had their first 20-win season since 2016,

Eli Govan, Parkview: Govan has one of the highest ceilings in the area and is still tapping into his potential. He averaged 11 points and 7.1 rebounds while leading Parkview to its first district title since 2018.

Taner Hicks, Hillcrest: Much was expected from Hicks this season, stepping into a leading role for Hillcrest, and he excelled. He averaged 15 points and had the Hornets competing with some of the best in the area late in the year.

Reese Kimrey, Kickapoo: The Chiefs' sophomore standout will have a lot of hype heading into his junior season after breaking out this year. He averaged 10.9 points, four rebounds and four assists. He's one of the smarter guards in the area, he rarely turns the ball over and is someone who can develop into one of the best players in the area.

Scott Metz, Logan-Rogersville: Metz was the senior leader of the Wildcats and helped deliver a Class 4 third-place finish. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds as Logan-Rogersville's big man.

Brady Nicholson, Ash Grove: Nicholson's fantastic high school career ended before he laces them up at Drury next year. Over his four years, he took the Pirates from a one-win team in 2020 to one that's won 19 or more games in the last three seasons. He's a great scorer who left his mark on the area with a record-breaking 50-point performance at the Blue and Gold Tournament.

Justin Ray, Carthage: Ray put up some of the biggest numbers in the area as he concluded his high school career. He averaged 19.6 points and ended his career with three straight winning seasons.

Hudson Roberts, Ozark: The Arkansas baseball commit continued to play on the hardwood at a high level. He averaged 16.4 points on a Tigers team with a lot of young talent and potential.

Jackson Shorter, Kickapoo: The lone returning starter from the Chiefs' run to the state championship from the year before stepped into a starring role for Kickapoo and stood out. He had the best numbers on the team with 13 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

Ta'Veaion Washington, Glendale: Washington was the Pippen to Witham's Jordan this season and he ended his high school career on a high note. Washington averaged 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds for a Falcons team that's a lot of fun to watch.

Honorable Mention

• Grant Culver, Hartville
• Isaac Dalton, Ava
• Drake Durham, Bolivar
• Terrell Gaines, Mountain View
• Dassiah Green, Parkview
• T.J. Hill, Parkview
• Briggs Hughston, West Plains
• Josh Peters, Nixa
• Kylan Pickren, Ozark
• Drew Quinlan, Willard
• Brett Roberson, Catholic
• Ryder Rowden, Catholic
• Spensar Seiger, Fair Grove
• Josh Shockley, Cabool
• Tristan Smith, Chadwick
• AK Staten-Balance, Hillcrest
• Cannon Thornhill, Aurora
• Morgan Vaughn, Seneca
• Jarrett Zerby, Mount Vernon

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at  [email protected]  or X at  @WyattWheeler_NL .

Mississippi State basketball's Josh Hubbard to host showcase for top high school players

Mississippi State basketball's Josh Hubbard is hosting a high school showcase at Madison-Ridgeland Academy on April 5-6.

The event will feature the top 17 prospects in the state, according to the press release.

Friday's activities will center around athletes taking part in practices. It sets up for a showcase game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at MRA.

The showcase promises celebrity appearances and there will also be halftime entertainment along with interactive fan zones and giveaways.

Hubbard was an All-SEC selection as a freshman guard this season. He led Mississippi State with 17.1 points per game and was the top scorer among freshmen in the SEC.

Hubbard is a product of MRA where he was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings . The 5-foot-10 guard originally signed with Ole Miss where he was set to play under coach Kermit Davis. However, Hubbard was released from his National Letter of Intent following Davis' firing last year.

Hubbard elected to stay in the state to play under coach Chris Jans at MSU.

GLUE GUY RETURNS: Mississippi State basketball's Cameron Matthews announces 2024-2025 decision

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at  [email protected]  or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter,  @skrajisnik3 .

SDSU basketball’s NIL collective has more money, but it is enough?

The MESA Foundation has nearly tripled its budget from two seasons ago, but the NIL stakes continue to soar as the Aztecs dive into the transfer portal

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The three most important letters in college basketball used to be NLI, the national letter of intent that high school seniors sign pledging their allegiance to a school.

The letters are the same now, just jumbled. It’s all about NIL, the name, image and license payouts to entice transfers to join your program.

“It’s no longer simply about players wanting to come to San Diego and play for San Diego State and for Coach (Brian) Dutcher,” Jeff Smith says. “It’s this new criteria that hopefully enough people are aware of: It’s player compensation.

“It’s no longer a discussion about whether you like it or you hope it changes. It’s not going anywhere, and it’s become even more prevalent. Our message has been: ‘Step up. Don’t sit around and hope. Don’t talk about the transfer portal and just keep your fingers crossed. Don’t just hope it’s going to work itself out.’”

Who is Smith?

He is a co-founder of the MESA Foundation , SDSU’s basketball NIL collective that didn’t exist 18 months ago and suddenly is an integral factor in the program’s ability to sustain its historic run of success.

“To stay relevant,” Dutcher says, “we have to raise NIL money.”

The question becomes how much as Dutcher and his staff wade into the transfer portal, needing to replace at least three and possibly all five starters from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

“It’s a moving target,” Smith says.

The MESA Foundation had a $350,000 budget for the 2022-23 season, and every scholarship player received roughly $2,000 per month. This season, the budget nearly doubled and top players got $50,000 total.

Smith says they are approaching $1 million for next season.

“We will be in a good position,” Smith says. “But we won’t be in a position that I think all of us would like to be in, which is not to be a reason why some players simply decide they’re not going to come here. It happened to us a year ago.”

Starting forward Keshad Johnson, the leading scorer in the national championship game, opted to spend his final year of eligibility at Arizona for what several sources said was north of $400,000. Then three transfer targets picked schools with less winning pedigree but significantly more NIL money.

A year later, the stakes may have increased. According to one source, a Pac-12 transfer that SDSU is pursuing was offered $500,000 by an SEC school. There are whispers among coaches that the standard Big 12 offer is $600,000.

SANIL, a national company that works with student-athletes on NIL opportunities, recently released projections that a starting-caliber transfer in a power conference will command between $75,000 and $750,000. For the next tier of leagues — the Mountain West, WCC, AAC and Atlantic 10 — it estimated $25,000 to $300,000.

Now consider how impactful transfers have become. Of the 40 starters on Elite Eight teams this year, 18 were transfers. North Carolina State, which upset Duke on Sunday to reach the Final Four, starts five. Alabama starts four. SDSU started four in the Sweet 16.

“We can walk around NIL, but the game has changed,” Dutcher says. “So you have to adapt to it. You have to try your best to give your guys opportunity to make money playing basketball, but try to do it the right way, where you’re not spoiling them, where there’s still a hunger to try to achieve something other than that.”

The MESA Foundation is unique in that it features a charitable component , requiring players to attend a half-dozen community service events annually such as blood drives or youth clinics. It initially paid every scholarship player the same amount, keeping with “the team, the team, the team” ethos that Dutcher preaches. The payments expanded this season to encompass and have the entire roster at events, but veterans made more than younger players.

Could that be adjusted again to pay market rate for coveted transfers?

“We hope to never have one significant outlier, because it doesn’t feel like that’s Aztecs basketball,” Smith says. “It’s always meant to be the perfect complement to the way Dutch and his crew run the program. But there’s a scale. That’s just the way it is, and we have to be able to respond to that on an evolving basis moving forward.”

Is high six figures enough?

MESA is launching what Smith calls an “all hands on deck” campaign this week to push the 2024-25 budget to between $1.3 million and $1.5 million — numbers that would ease his fears that they’ll be left behind again.

Many collectives are funded by a couple deep-pocketed boosters. Smith realized early that model wouldn’t work in San Diego and shifted to one based on less money from more people. MESA currently has more than 500 members who donate as little as $20 per month, or $240 per year. He envisions a day when that will grow into the thousands.

The foundation has expanded its corporate reach after having none last year. Before a home game earlier this season, the Sycuan tribe presented MESA with a $50,000 check. Blenders Eyewear, a San Diego-based sunglasses company, is selling a limited-edition design with proceeds donated to MESA. There are also relationships with Nova kombucha and Woodstock’s Pizza.

Another potential revenue source is a new nonconference tournament concept where proceeds from media rights, ticket sales and sponsorships go directly to the NIL collectives of the participating teams.

Details have started leaking out for the Las Vegas event: eight teams (possibly growing to 16 in future years), $1 million per team for participating, an additional $1 million to the champions.

Smith confirmed SDSU and MESA are part of discussions for the inaugural tournament next season — if it happens. Other schools mentioned include Duke, Kansas, Alabama, Oregon and Syracuse.

There are logistical issues, however. NCAA rules allow teams to play in one nonconference MTE (multi-team event) per season, and most are already committed to one for 2024-25. (SDSU is tentatively in an event in the Palm Springs area.)

“It’s something that has been worked on for quite some time,” Smith says. “I feel like it’s going in the right direction. But it isn’t done, and there’s a lot of stuff that has to happen before it’s done and we can feel comfortable about it.

“We can’t count any of that revenue for next year, because it’s just not money that exists. What we have to do is assume that it’s not happening, and if it does, then we can wake up and say, ‘Where does that put us?’”

Doubling the MESA budget for next season likely has closed the gap between SDSU and fellow Mountain West schools like New Mexico, UNLV and Boise State, although maybe not completely. The transfer portal has been open for two weeks. Players are shopping schools. And the Aztecs probably need three veterans and possibly more, depending on whether Lamont Butler, Micah Parrish and Reese Waters — key rotation pieces with eligibility remaining — opt to stay or go.

“We feel good where we stack up compared to our conference, at least based on the information we have right now,” Smith says. “But I think everybody here in San Diego is starting to understand that we shouldn’t be measuring ourselves against the Mountain West revenue-wise. We should be competitive on a national level.”

“In a place like San Diego, where you haven’t had to be an active financial participant to be able to enjoy Aztec basketball, we’re at a disadvantage,” Smith says. “But we have a huge advantage based on alumni, based on population, based on businesses, based on the fact that Aztecs basketball is right there with Padres baseball (in popularity). I’m just afraid it’s taking us a little too long and we may always be slightly behind.

“We’ve got to a point where we feel we’re competitive but we’re not quite there. It’s on one hand frustrating and on the other hand there’s some hope we’re at that inflection point.”

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This tuba player from Virginia now makes sweet STEM music with a Detroit robotics team

As a tuba player, including being a marching band section leader at the university of virginia, parker miles enjoyed being loud at times. now he enjoys taking a back seat to cheer on detroit students..

As a tuba player throughout high school, college and for a year professionally with a marching band representing the pro football team in Washington, D.C., Parker Miles was accustomed to being a leader. 

But for the past two school years, Miles has settled into a supporting role within a group of mostly Detroit teenagers. And the Woodbridge, Virginia, native says he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“I’m an extra set of hands and eyes,” says Miles, who serves as a mentor for high school students that are members of K9.0 Robotics, which is the FIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition team at the School at Marygrove in Detroit. “The kids call me ‘Coach P,’ but I’m more like a cheerleader because the kids know so much more than I do.” 

While the 34-year-old Miles may not be a robotics expert, it was his desire to “study how Black kids use, understand and imagine technology,” that led the University of Michigan Ph.D. candidate to the stately building that now serves as a high school within the Marygrove Conservancy at 8425 W. McNichols in northwest Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood. 

Like the college basketball teams that have been competing in March Madness across the country, Miles says his journey with the Marygrove robotics team this month also has been magical at times. That was the case March 15-16 at the Matthaei Physical Education Center, on the campus of Wayne State University, where Marygrove was among 40 teams from across metro Detroit that competed in a FIRST In Michigan district competition. However, before the 17-student squad — known as Team 8280 in the FIRST Robotics Competition universe — experienced its shining moment, there were some daunting hurdles that needed to be cleared. 

“It was a long, hard day (March 15) of struggle and we had problems we had never seen,” Miles said about the challenges the team faced during Day 1 of the matches at Wayne State, including what Miles described in layman's terms as “one of the arms breaking off” the team’s robot and problems connected to coding that left the robot “stuck in place” for a period of time. “We had catastrophic failure after catastrophic failure, but the team was so resilient and worked through every problem. It was such a testament to their hard work and character.”

Through it all, the resilient Marygrove team qualified for the playoff portion of the competition. And after two mentally and emotionally charged days of matches, the Marygrove team settled into the Matthaei stands to cheer on the teams that finished at the very top of the final team standings. 

“It was the 30th hour of the competition; we had been there forever; and we were wearing the same clothes; but we hung out because we’re good sports,” Miles, who likened the buzz created in a gym or arena during the short matches that take place during a FIRSTRobotics competition to Olympic wrestling, said. “We were watching the teams (during the award presentations) that we wanted to be like.” 

And then, as Miles tells it, his team became the team that everyone in the Matthaei Center wanted to be like when it was announced that the team representing the School at Marygrove had been awarded the “FIRST Impact Award (formerly the Chairman’s Award), which is awarded at FIRST Robotics Competitions to “honor the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate.” 

Miles said the honor, which FIRST defines as the “most prestigious award” the organization gives out, triggered an epic response from the Marygrove team members. And on the evening of March 25, he delighted in replaying the moment.

“They were jumping, screaming, crying and looking for people to hug,” Miles said of the response from Marygrove immediately after it was announced the team had won the Impact Award, which earned Marygrove a berth in the FIRSTIn Michigan State Championship at Saginaw State University from April 4 to April 6. “The power of their explosive energy literally knocked me out of my seat.” 

In addition, Miles shared a powerful story about how he has observed and participated in efforts where the footprint of Marygrove’s robotics team has extended beyond competitions and the students’ school grounds. 

“The kids care about each other and they care about the community,” said Miles, who also explained that community involvement is one of the major factors the judges consider when deciding which team will receive the Impact Award. “The students are excited to represent Detroit excellence at the highest level and they have shared what they have learned about STEM in their community. They have taught coding to Girl Scouts and elementary school students, not because anyone has told them to do that, but because they wanted to be there. 

“This group has done the right thing over and over and over, and they got rewarded. And it’s something that I will never forget. It took a full week to tell the story again about them (receiving the Impact Award) without crying.” 

During the evening of March 27, the subject of crying and more also was discussed by Amara Small, a senior co-captain on the Marygrove robotics team. 

“When our team heard that we won the Impact Award, there were a lot of tears from all of us; a lot of pride; and we were all hugging,” Small, who chose to attend Marygrove because of her passion for social justice and engineering, described. “And receiving the Impact Award was very personal for me because I compiled a lot of the background (essay, several summaries and videos) about our team that the judges reviewed.” 

Small later went on to speak about other topics and events that she feels strongly about, such as obtaining gender equity in STEM; a series of workshops that her team put on for local Girl Scouts, and her team’s participation in a Black Tech Saturday event at Michigan Central Station, where the team showed off the capabilities of its robot. There also was a special welcome back party during the summer of 2023 after Miles returned to Detroit after completing an internship with eBay. 

“We joked about Coach P being on a world tour because I believe he spent time in Australia,” recalled Small, who has been involved in STEM activities since the second grade and aspires to work for NASA. “We really, really missed him and it was cool to see the team come together to plan that for him. 

“And it showed that we are a family.” 

On March 25, Miles credited the team’s family spirit to lead to coach Leon Pryor Jr., of whom Miles said: “I have never seen a person more committed to the success of others.” Miles also pointed to veteran team members like junior co-captain Xavier McDonald, who joined the team as a freshman.

“I wanted to be a trailblazer,” says McDonald, who aspires to be an engineer and looks forward to compiling a portfolio highlighting his experiences to share with colleges that interest him, including the University of Michigan and Kettering University. “When we receive awards and accolades, I think it pushes us even further. They become checkpoints and then you strive to go higher and higher. And I’ve decided that I should put all of my efforts into robotics.”

Miles, no doubt, will give his very best effort on April 23 when he defends his dissertation. When sharing his findings about the Detroit youths he has been in a community with on the Marygrove robotics team, Miles will have several robotics competition experiences to call upon, including a FIRST In Michigan district competition at Renaissance High School that will conclude on March 30 and the state championship competition in April, which also will play a major role in determining the Michigan teams that will qualify for the 2024 FIRST Championship — a world championship event scheduled for April 17-20 in Houston. But regardless of how well the Marygrove team fares in upcoming tournaments, Miles, who is seeking a doctorate in education and digital studies, has hinted that competition standings will not be the first thing on his mind when he shares what he has learned from young people on the Marygrove robotics team.

“The joy is fundamental,” declared Miles, who now proudly lives in Detroit on the city’s North End. “The coolest thing is to see the kids so fully being themselves. And this group is committed to being joyful and committed to learning and growing.” 

Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. In his second tour with the Free Press, which he grew up reading as a child, he is excited and humbled to cover the city’s neighborhoods and the many interesting people who define its various communities. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @STalleyfreep. Read more of Scott's stories at  www.freep.com/mosaic/detroit-is/ . Please help us grow great community-focused journalism by  becoming a subscriber . 

‘Excited to represent Detroit excellence at the highest level’ 

What:  K9.0 Robotics, the FIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition team at the School at Marygrove in Detroit

Angelo Barton  - Software

Tahara Drew  - Team Lead Electrical  – Drive Team

Aslan Fleming – Mechanical

Olivia Flood – Team Lead Electrical

Joshua Gassaway - Software

Karion Gooden - Mechanical

Xavier McDonald – Captain and Team Lead Mechanical – Drive Team

Corey McKenzie - Business

Shyann Miller - Scouting

Staja' Miller – Team Lead Computer Aided Design – Drive Team

Emily Nahabedian - Electrical

Leon Pryor III – Team Lead Software – Drive Team

Ryen Ray - Mechanical

Amara Small – Captain and Team Lead Business

Bryson Taylor - Mechanical

Frank Washington – Mechanical  

Marshawn Wilson Grissett – Mechanical – Drive Team

2024 Robot Name:  Anubis

Lead Coach:  Leon Pryor Jr.

Team Mentor:  Parker Miles (“Coach P”) 

Upcoming Event:  FIRSTIn Michigan State Championship at Saginaw State University; April 4-6.

Former official pleads guilty to embezzling nearly $16 million from O.C. school district

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A former Orange County public school official has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $16 million from a district where most students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

Jorge Armando Contreras used the money he stole from the Magnolia School District to finance a lavish lifestyle , including a $1.5-million house in Yorba Linda, a $127,000 BMW and $190,000 in cosmetic surgery, according to federal prosecutors.

Contreras, 53, of Yorba Linda, pleaded guilty on Thursday to a single felony charge of embezzlement, theft, and intentional misapplication of federal funds, which could bring up to 10 years in prison.

Authorities have seized $7.7 million in assets from him, including the Yorba Linda home, the BMW, dozens of Louis Vuitton designer bags and bottles of the luxury tequila Clase Azul Ultra.

In 2006, Contreras was hired by the Magnolia School District, which serves 5,300 preschool-to-sixth-grade students in Anaheim and Stanton, 81% of whom are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged.

He began to run the district’s fiscal operations in 2013, and from 2016-23 deposited more than 250 checks into his personal account, authorities said. As the senior director of fiscal services, Contreras was earning $220,000 annually.

From August 2022 to July 2023 alone, prosecutors allege, Contreras stole $4.1 million from the district.

According to the charges, during that period, he paid $1.9 million to American Express, withdrew $325,000 from ATMs, and transferred more than $130,000 to the person who would become his marriage partner in August 2023.

In his plea agreement, Contreras, who is free on $450,000 bond, admitted to having school funds deposited in his personal bank account.

Using his access to school district bank accounts and the student body bank account, Contreras wrote checks in small amounts, got them signed and then increased the dollar amounts and inserted fictitious names, the plea agreement said.

Former O.C. school official arrested in $14-million embezzlement case

Prosecutors said Jorge Armando Contreras, 52, used stolen money to buy a $1.5-million house and a $127,000 BMW, and cosmetic surgery and luxury items.

Oct. 20, 2023

The school district put him on administrative leave in August 2023, and he was arrested in October. He is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter on July 25.

Contreras’ attorney, listed on court documents as Ronald Hedding, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As a front for the embezzlement scheme, the FBI believes, Contreras used a music production company called JC Productions, whose Instagram page boasted of “the best musical productions and live events.”

According to a district official whose name was redacted from the charging documents, “Contreras appeared to live a lifestyle beyond the means of someone in his position at the School District,” and the official assumed he made extra money from his music production company. Once, Contreras gave out $25 Starbucks gift cards to district employees, saying the money came from the company.

Bank cameras captured Contreras depositing money into his Wells Fargo account under the phony names “Maria Socorro Dominguez” and “Magnia Socorro Dominguez,” the FBI said. According to the plea agreement, he originally wrote M.S.D. — the same initials as Magnolia School District — on the checks, with the letters spaced out.

The school district has filed a lawsuit against Contreras.

“We are continuing to go after other assets, and possibly other people that knew about this, or were in on this,” Superintendent Frank Donavan said in a statement. “While we are thankful for the FBI’s prompt and thorough response, we find it hard to believe that he is only facing a maximum of 10 years. We also find it hard to believe that he is released on bail until July, when he is definitely a flight risk. The money he stole was mostly targeted for students with special needs.”

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Christopher Goffard is an author and a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. He shared in the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for the paper’s Bell coverage and has twice been a Pulitzer finalist for feature writing, in 2007 and 2014. His novel “Snitch Jacket” was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel. His book “You Will See Fire: A Search for Justice in Kenya,” based on his Times series, was published in 2011.

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