When there’s a will, there’s Next Play!

Success is a Choice!

When we set out on this new basketball journey to create Next Play Basketball, Ryan and I knew two things:

1)We could create an outstanding environment for kids to develop and grow

2)We wanted to attract great kids.

Enter Dylan and Sean.

I first met Dylan in the Fall when he tried out for our Fall AAU team. He unfortunately did not make the highly competitive team this Fall, but he kept working and earned a spot on our 5th grade boys Winter team.

Masked up, laced up, the boys began to come together as a team, learning how to play as a team and be “all-stars” in the role that they play for us.

Dylan didn’t stand out with his size, athleticism or quickness. He did stand out when I learned how he found out about Next Play. Ryan shared with me, “He’s the one I was telling you about!” Hmm. “The one I train at 7am downtown at the park.” You see, many of the kids in our program have been introduced to Next Play via Ryan’s training business. Again, Ryan is ranked #1 in the state of Pennsylvania, and likely the world.

Dylan’s parents later shared with me that they “are not the private trainer types.” Mom shared, “We told him if he showed his commitment to getting better on his own, that we would find him someone to help him get to the next level and help him grow.”

7am workouts! Kids, are you listening?

Just this morning, I received a text from a six grade parent that also had photos for proof. 5:30am, Next Play baller Sean T was working on his free throws. Sean made our 5th grade team last year and while he was a big baseball player he has developed a love for basketball. Sean has committed himself to improving his game and progressing, as does the level of play with our 6th grade AAU teams.

When I talk about Sean, I say that he’s a kid who makes us better. First by being a great teammate, being coachable, and always giving it his all. Second and more importantly, because of the person that he is, kind, caring and a ball sharer. It’s fun to play with Sean.

Similar to Dylan, neither woke up with exceptional size or natural speed/athleticism. But both understand what it takes to be great, and are developing the skills and daily habits that will make them successful on and off the court.

As Michael Jordan put it, “Some people want it to happen, others wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

What do you choose?

This inspires me to not hit the snooze button.

Written By Coach Matt Paul