Last week over at ESPN.com, Dave Telep wrote a great piece regarding what he has seen in what has become the entitlement culture surrounding elite high school basketball. While he did give some great tips in how some values can be instilled in players which can help alleviate this problem in the future, there was not enough discussion on what the actual issues are from which this problem stems.

The issue of entitlement is not limited to high school basketball, but it where a lot of it starts. You see it extend to the college level. There are a lot of good college coaches who avoid these players altogether, or they have a plan in place to get the player to focus on the right things. I have been lucky enough to get to talk to players who have finished their college careers who felt entitled early on, but came to learn what really is important.

The issues which can lead to entitlement are not meant to cover everything and everyone. There are a lot of good players who are surrounded by solid support systems who know how to help guide the player to make the right decisions.

What are AAU Basketball and Camps Really About?

The focus of the spring and summer has continually slipped year after year. We are now looking at kids, coaches, and teams focused on winning and putting up numbers. I am not saying winning isn’t important; being able to say you won something is an achievement and something to be proud of.

Winning shouldn’t be the focus during these months. The focus should be on doing everything you can to become a better player. Look back after the high school season ends and evaluate your game. Now formulate some areas to build or add to your game. Use these months to do that. It isn’t going to be a quick process and many will revert right back to what they know, which defeats the purpose.

So where does entitlement fit in? Kids are being bombarded on all sides by people who take on the “winning and stats” mindset. These are still kids and their views on many areas are still being shaped. Getting more attention because they won a tournament or put up big numbers doesn’t help them. Put the focus on what they did well that will help them reach the end goal of what they want out of basketball.

The camp issue is different, yet very similar. Many kids and parents have been led to believe that these camps have an actual impact on the player’s future. There is no such thing as a “must attend” camp and there is no record of a player not taking his talent his as as he could because he didn’t attend certain camps. Camps are a good social opportunity and a chance to compete, but the actual skill impact can be very limited, and often overstated.  People running them will often feed to the entitlement issues, all with their own agendas.

The Rankings Culture

Telep alluded to this in his article, and even shouldered some of the blame for the effect it has had on kids. It has gotten into kids’ heads that these mean something. They don't.

It’s important to remember that these rankings are supposed to be reflective of what you as a player has done up to a certain point. Put the focus on where you are going, not where you have been.  Even if you are considered one of the best players in your class, there is a lot you can be doing to get better.

This is not an issue that will go away, so it’s best to instill into kids early what these rankings actually mean. Feel some sense of satisfaction with what you achieved, and then forget about it. When you get to the college level, it isn’t going to mean anything, and if you are lucky enough to get to the professional level, it will mean even less. 

It’s a similar case when dealing with scouting reports or comments about a player’s game. Whether positive or negative, there are some who are qualified to make these assessments, but a lot smaller amount then the number of people that actually do it.  It is important for players to find a way to tune this out, and not let them feel that it is accurate. They should know who to trust about the state of their game.

(Over)Exposure

How are kids to avoid a sense of entitlement when every move they make is being covered in some way? If you are one of the better players in your class, there could be countless number of “recruiting” websites wanting all the information they can get on you. That’s part of the life of a good basketball player and you can’t shut yourself off from it. Where it starts to go wrong is when the players, families, and coaches feed into it, and it’s hard for the player to ignore it.

The reality is these sites have no impact on the player’s future. Refusal to cater to them is not going to harm the player. Young high school kids don’t need to give interviews, and if they are going to, they need to learn more about it first. Learning how to answer interview questions is a skill, one if developed correctly will pay off big in the long-term.

The Role of the Parents and Coaches

One parent of a player raised to me that a lot of the entitlement issues raised by Telep’s article could be remedied with proper parenting, and in a way that’s very true. Just because your child is a potential basketball star, that doesn’t mean they are still not your child, first and foremost. Don’t be afraid to treat them any differently than you would if they weren’t an athlete, including disciplining them.

This isn’t always going to be possible. We all know of stories of homes with lack of parental figures, and one of the great things about basketball is that these kids can find a family if surrounded by the right people. The issue also arises when there are parents present, but they don’t know how to act like parents when needed.

One further issue involved here, and probably another area that needs its own post – What do you do when the parents (or coaches, trainers, etc.) start to feel entitled as well? The positive influence from these people needs to be a steady influence.  

This is not meant to be an indictment of the high school game, or a full list of what ails it. There is a whole sub-culture to the entitlement culture dealing with people whose sole goal is to attach themselves to elite players and their families.

It is an opportunity to continue the discussion which Telep started. Entitlement issues can be tied into a lot of the many other issues affecting high school basketball, and that's when it becomes magnified, and at times, overstated.

Many are going to disagree with some or all of what I wrote and they are certainly entitled to their opinion. The goal is to create the right environment for the players where they can thrive. Part of that is showing them the right way of handling themselves, not just now, but in the future as well. Along with that is an opportunity to take some of the pressure off the families involved because they don’t know what to believe, or they led to believe they have to handle things a certain way because they were misled.

I’m not naïve enough to believe this will have any real impact, but I hope at least one person who reads this takes a minute to assess the situations they find themselves in. These issues will come up again at subsequent levels, so it is important to start to get as much of a handle on it now as possible.

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Nothing is guaranteed in life, or in the basketball world. What separates people is the ability to make an impact no matter the circumstances. That impact can be on the court, or off the court, but it is special when someone is able to make an impact on both. Justin Hawkins, who just finished up his college career at UNLV, is one of those with the ability to do both.

Hawkins was able to make the most of his time at UNLV, making his mark when given an opportunity. “I learned more about leadership, both on and off the court,” said Hawkins. “My communications skill became a lot better, and I was also able to develop my ballhandling and shooting abilities.”

Going into Justin’s senior season, UNLV had arguably its most talented team in years, and at times, it showed on the court. However, a team with a lot of young players had its share of ups and downs. With the season gone by, Hawkins was able to reflect on what the experience taught him. “Don’t take anything for granted,” Hawkins said. “You have to stay disciplined, and take it one day and one practice at a time.”

With his college career behind him now, Hawkins is able to look back and be happy with the decision he made to go to Las Vegas. “I would say I was pretty happy during my time playing here,” Hawkins said. “I was happy with my career and wouldn’t do it different.”

Hawkins’ focus is now on taking steps to continue his basketball career, and he believes some of his skills will translate at the next level. “I think my perimeter defense and my ability to knock down open jumpers should be attractive to teams,” Hawkins explained. “I can be a stable presence at the 1 or the 2. Every team needs a backup who can come in and make sure things still run smoothly.”

While those skills help, Hawkins knows there are areas he needs to work on in the coming months to round out his game. “I think becoming a more consistent ballhandler will be most important,” said Hawkins. “I also need to work on becoming a more consistent shooter.”

Wherever the opportunity comes, Hawkins knows he has what it takes to contribute. “I will do whatever the team needs me to do,” said Hawkins. “I can give a team a stable, ready guard who can knock down shots or run the pick-and-roll. I can just continue being a ‘glue’ guy that every team needs.”

Hawkins’ impact extends beyond the court, as anyone who follows him on Twitter can attest to. A mix of lightheartedness, life lessons, and impactful statements, are a regular feature on his Twitter timeline. “I was always taught that words are powerful,” Hawkins explained about how he handles what he Tweets. “Making the biggest statement in the least amount of words is very important.”

During his time in Las Vegas, Hawkins has also been witness to the rise of the city as one of the epicenters of United States basketball, and he has been excited to see it grow. “Every year, more and more people are coming to Las Vegas for basketball reasons,” Hawkins said. “Even down to the youth level, it is great to get out and see how people interact around basketball, and I was happy to be out there and being a part of it.”

Whatever the next step is for Hawkins, he is prepared for what he has to do. “I know what my role will be going in,” Hawkins said. “I won’t be a head case because I am sitting on the bench, and I will work hard and give everything I have to the team. I’ll do the things that a normal person wouldn’t do. Whether it’s doing media events or being the rookie who brings the donuts, every team needs that person.”

The city will be different, so will the team and the fans, but there is little doubt that Hawkins will continue to make his impact wherever he ends up.

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Photo: SI/CNN

The process of developing as a basketball player can be broken down into many areas, and that development can be spurred by many things. Often overlooked is how having to spend time away from the game can be a catalyst for growth as a basketball player. Arkansas’ Marshawn Powell was forced to spend time off the court because of injuries, including the loss of a season, but in the end, it made him a better basketball player. Powell is now looking forward to the next step in his journey, but the lessons from Arkansas will stay with him.

“I learned a lot during my time at Arkansas,” said Powell. “It taught me how to work with other people, and made me a better person.”  Powell began to see his game changing as well. “I definitely became stronger and became a better shooter. Also, playing under two coaches taught me a lot about different ways of looking at the game.”

Two seasons ago, two games into his junior season, Powell suffered a knee injury which kept him out the rest of the season. However, Powell was able to use this to his advantage. “That would turn out to be my most important year, being forced away from the game totally,” Powell recalled. “It gave me the chance to start and watch the game from the coaches’ perspective. I had never missed that much time before, but it gave me a chance to study what was happening on the court.”

Powell carried this new knowledge with him into this past season, where he helped the Razorbacks to 19 wins while averaging over 14 points and 5 rebounds per game. Since he was granted a medical redshirt the prior year, Powell could have had one more year of eligibility next season. He made the decision to enter his name in the NBA Draft instead.

“I’m 23 years old already and have had a few injuries,” Powell explained about his decision. “I gave all I could to Arkansas and had some great years, but I’m ready to try for the next level and see how I do.”

Powell has impressed many with his athleticism and ability to play around the basket since his freshman season. Now, he looks forward to showing how far his game has come. “I am a versatile player,” said Powell. “I can play the 3 or the 4 on offense, can guard the 3 or the 4 on defense, and will give you 110 percent any time I am on the court.

He is already at work getting other parts of his game into shape to show NBA teams over the next few months. “I want to work on my mid-range game and my handle, as well as my jumper,” said Powell. “I want to go out there and show teams and General Managers that I can guard different positions.”

Powell knows he has his work cut out for him, but he believes that there is a spot for him in the NBA. “I have the work ethic to succeed,” said Powell. “I’m a smart kid, and being older, I know right from wrong. I am just going to play as hard as I can for as long as I can.”

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Photo: AP/Joe Raymond

There are many factors that go into the development of a basketball player, but one that often gets overlooked is the “fit” between a player, school, teammates and coach. When all of these areas sync together, you have access for growth in many different ways, both as a player and as a person. For Jack Cooley, he found that fit at Notre Dame, and what has transpired  4 years later has been a pleasure to watch for all basketball fans.

The result of this fit helped Cooley improve in many areas during his time in South Bend. “I definitely grew into a better leader; someone my teammates could rely on,” said Cooley. “I also became a much more confident basketball player, and I believe one of the better offensive big men in the country.”

Early on in Cooley’s career, it was hard not hear comments made by many about his resemblance to teammate, and future NBA Draft pick, Luke Harangody. To Cooley though, there was more to it than that. “I learned a lot from Luke during my time playing with him,” explained Cooley. “I learned a lot about how to handle pressure, and going against him in practice definitely made me a better player and eased the transition to college basketball.”

Playing in the Big East was also a vital part of Cooley’s development as a basketball player. “Just the talent and physicality of playing there, you just couldn’t beat it,” said Cooley. “The whole thing can be summed up in the atmosphere of the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden. Every team bringing their best so they can win it all.”

Cooley knows his work is cut out for him over these next couple of months, but he is confident in what he has already shown. “I’m known mostly for my rebounding and intensity, and my ability to play team defense” Cooley said. “What a lot of people may not have noticed is my ability to be very efficient on the offensive end. I can do a lot more than people may think.”

There are differences in the game at the NBA level, and Cooley is looking forward to stepping up parts of his game to adjust. “I need to work on guarding the pick-and-roll on the defensive end, especially because of its high usage at the NBA level,” explained Cooley. “I just want to spend time polishing up all parts of my game.”

Cooley had his first chance at seeing what’s ahead by taking part in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament a few weeks ago. “I was so happy to get the chance to play against so many other very good players,” Cooley said. “It’s a real help to take part in Portsmouth because this is going to be a whole new process and experience for me. The Portsmouth tournament is a great introduction to that process.”

While everyone wants to play a major role at the next level, there are a lot of different roles to be filled. Cooley has a good idea of how he can be a help right away. “I can definitely go out there as a hustle guy, and just give good minutes whenever I can,” said Cooley. “I can bring intensity, play hard, and go out and grab some rebounds.”

Before we finished talking, I had to ask Cooley about his recent engagement to his girlfriend at the Notre Dame Basketball end of the season banquet, video of which made the rounds on Twitter moments afterward due to a teammate. “I can’t believe it went so smoothly,” Cooley joked. “She had no idea and I had to spend so much time sneaking around trying to plan this all out.”

With Cooley ready to embark on new challenges in different parts of his life, one thing he is sure of is how he can help his next team. “I will go out there and bring it every possession and look to do what’s best for my team. I am a hard worker and I think a lot of teams will be pleasantly surprised by what I can do.”

Hopefully, the next great “fit” in Jack Cooley’s life will be found in the NBA.

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Circumstances often dictate what choices people make or how they respond to what life throws at them. In the basketball world, you can see it every day in how players respond to what they have been challenged with. Players like Velton Jones see the challenges on and off the court, and they look to rise above them. Over the past 4 seasons, Jones has helped the small school in Western Pennsylvania to 91 wins and 3 postseason appearances, and he is grateful for what he was able to get from this challenge.

“My time at Robert Morris definitely helped me improve my leadership abilities,” said Jones. “I was also able to improve my shooting, and just my overall understanding of the game. Coach (Andy) Toole got in the gym with me and worked through everything.”

While Jones’ game continued to develop through his four years at Robert Morris, it would turn out that his one chance at the NCAA Tournament would come early on, during his freshman season. “It was hard and disappointing to make it and then lose, but I learned a lot from the experiences,” said Jones. “You can’t be too overwhelmed by the experience. You’ve got to be humble.”

Jones would help lead Robert Morris to two other post-season trips, including the NIT this past season. The Colonials were given a golden, and unusual, opportunity, with a first round game against defending National Champion Kentucky, at home. In one of college basketball’s big moments of 2012-2103, the Colonials beat the Wildcats 59-57.

“It was incredible to see all of the hard work from the past four years pay off,” said Jones. “I don’t think Robert Morris got the credit it deserved over that time. The win over Kentucky catapulted us into the national spotlight. It was an amazing feeling.”

Jones is still in school finishing up his senior year, but he is anxious to get working on the next step of his career, and showing teams what he can add to their roster. “I think my leadership and character are the most important parts of my game,” explained Jones. “My toughness is important out on the court, and I have really learned a lot about the game.”

Even finishing up his four years of college, Jones realizes his game isn’t complete yet, and he knows exactly what he wants to work on. “I need to become a more consistent shooter, and be able to knock down my jumper with confidence,” said Jones. “I also want to work on getting to and finish at the rim and looking to get to the free throw line more often.”

Jones can already envision what he can bring to a team at the next level right away. “I am a great leader and locker room guy,” Jones explained. “I can bring energy to the team. I love to work hard and love being in the gym.”

All of this is just the next step in Jones’ journey and he feels he has a lot to offer. “I’ve seen a lot of things and been through a lot of adversity,” said Jones. “My father died of cancer and my mother has it now. I am willing to do anything I can to make this dream come true for my family.”

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