what should i do about my daughter's basketball career?

Question

She's black, but attends a mostly white school. I sent her there for educational purposes, luckily, b/c the black high school's bball team needs lots of work, including attitude adjustments. This season, she led JV in score and boards. I hate to have to pull out the race card in the 2000's, but I almost felt like they were using her. They tried to make sure she never scored 20 pts, but once she got a steal and scored b4 the sub could come in, so she had 21(lol). She didn't "start" until halfway thru the season, but when the city championship game went into double ot, she didn't get a rest. If she came off the bench and had a good 1st quar, she might not see the floor until a starter caught up with her pts. I hope I don't sound petty, but we know prejudices still exist. She'll be a junior next season, should she play JV or Varsity? They might make her ride the bench on Varsity(only lost 4 seniors), but that's where she needs to be. Or should I just see how they play her on JV?

Also, I'm guessing that it will be my responsibility getting her scouted. She has been approached at different games and tournaments (some coaches asking why she isn't already on Varsity), so that's always encouraging. She also plays AAU, so hopefully that'll help also. I don't see any reason why she shouldn't be able to put herself through college, since the opportunities are available and she has been blessed with a talent. I just don't want her to be hindered b/c of her color and the fact that I want her educated in what I feel is a better school district.

At the start of the season, I asked her coach how she was looking, and all he said was that she was "out of shape and didn't know what she was doing", yet she came out hoopin! Halfway thru the season, I reminded him of our previous conversation, and asked him what was his assessment now.....all he did was chuckled and said "well obviously she's gotten better". She has never been on a team where she wasn't one of the best players, so the comment was totally bogus to me...but you're right...I do try to handle it delicately so it won't further affect the way they play or treat her.

I'm realistic, so I don't think about the WNBA at this point. I just don't want her to be "robbed" of a college scholarship, where like mentioned, she can explore a career outside of bball.

Answer 1

Send me a not and I can help you from the recruitng standpoint, I am tight with some coaches at a D1 school in Michigan. If she has game tape etc, that will help. Send me a note on here and I would be glad to pass info on to the coaching staff.

As for the school situation, is their another school with equal educational options? I applaud you for making this the first priority and suggest to you she will do fine because of your help.

Answer 2

one million. Height is in no way a trouble. It simply is helping you make a decision what function you must play. Ben Wallace is 6'7 and he performs core. He's additionally one of the vital effective facilities there's proper now. Magic Johnson used to be 6'nine and he grew to become the great factor preserve in HISTORY! Spud Webb is simplest five'five, however that did not give up him from being the dunk contest champion two times in a row. Being brief has its advantages. Smaller men and women like Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and Muggsy Bouges are very well at stealing, that is why they ranking such a lot of aspects. Don't cognizance her on rebounding except she will soar like Shawn Kemp. Focus her on pace and stealing. two. Getting right into a school will probably be difficult except you understand any person who's aware of the coaches. I feel there possibly tryouts for distinctive faculties. three. How is it dangerous? Playing a game is well for her and the men and women round her. She will get to grasp the coaches, and so they could even point out her to the coaches of a few faculties(which solutions #two) four. Playing within the WNBA goes to be difficult. If you are concerned approximately her being too brief, do not. She is a bit of shorter than so much WNBA avid gamers, however Lisa Leslie, the great participant within the league, is 6'five and performs core. That's lovely brief. If she performs a factor preserve, that is well. If she performs a taking pictures preserve, that is k. five. I might a minimum of move to school. If Lebron stayed in school, he customarily might were the great participant ever. Same factor with Kobe and Moses. 6. I do not feel so. All you ought to do is be well. 7. She would have her main as veterinarian, at the same time gambling basketball. It's well in order that if she does not make the WNBA or retires, she has a role. It might be difficult to cognizance on each. eight. That is determined by what form and of scholarship and whether or not she's well or no longer. She needs to be particular so faculties might wish to select her. nine. She can observe for WNBA and desire to be drafted. 10. Street ball has its advantages and downsides. Street ball makes her extra competitive, that is well in any game. It additionally approach she disregards a few regulations. That possibly dangerous. You would train together with her and be certain she is aware of the foundations. Backcourt, 5 seconds, 8 seconds, 3 in the important thing, and 5 in the important thing are all she has to grasp.

Answer 3

I would say do the leg work and try to view a couple of other schools in the area and talk to the coaches that play AAU as well. They usually have a better grasp with what is going on. She may be a better fit somewhere else. Also they may be able to steer you in a more positive direction where you daughter will get noticed and blossom into a nice player.

If SHE herself really wants to join varsity, make sure she knows what she is going to encounter. Possibly little to no playtime, won't get into the groove of the game, has to conceed to the other players. But if she truly works hard and busts her but to get noticed, it'll force the coach to give her more minutes.

(Also for inspiration, have her watch the movie Rudy. Even though it's about football. It will teach her to not quit what she loves, and will she her that with hard work, her dream could come true if basketball is what she wants.)

Answer 4

If she's thinking of a basketball career or going to college through basketball, you should move her onto a team where she'll have a better chance to display her talents. If she's a junior you definitely want her to play varsity. Scouts are much more frequent at Varsity games. You might also consider putting her in a travel team if possible.

Answer 5

Most schools dont let juniors play on the JV team so that may not be an option. If you are really concerned talk to the coaches. I would becareful in how you apporach them becuase you dont want to put them on the defensive and if your daughter ends up with more playing time you dont want people to say its becuase you pulled "the race card" as you put it.

I would reccomend asking what your daughter can do to improve her play and get more game time. This might give you a better idea of why they arent playing her, plus later on if she accomplishes what ever they set for her you have more concrete things to complain about with her play time (for example she improved on exz but she still isnt playing can you explain why)

Also remember coaches often have favorites and it may not even be a race thing he just may have worked with other students before in rec leagues and what not. They also might be the kind of coach that likes to let everybody play and have court time.

You might be better off finding a rec league of some sort for her to play in. My cousin does that and she gets to travel and gets loads of experience. You might have better luck getting your daughter seen there.

Good luck

Answer 6

Call me an old-fashioned , but I think you've done the right moves. Education comes first, There's a lot of ballplayer out there who can't get a decent education and probably ended up with a dead end job, gangbanger or whatever.
I mean if she doesn't make it to WNBA someday, she can get another type of career.
And I dont mean to disrespect your daughter, but the fact is: Basketball is male-dominated type of sport.