Be TUFF

Basketball is a fast-moving game that presents a new set of challenges with each possession. Being tuff is the attitude that DOES NOT QUIT and NEVER GIVES UP! Toughness is the skill to have when your team is down in the fourth quarter trying to make a comeback win. In order to reach your maximum potential on and off the court, you will need to be tough. You’ll need to be tough enough to stay focused, endure and fight through the hard workouts. You need to be strong enough to withstand the fast pace and adversity you’ll face on the court. If you’re not tough already, THE HARDWOOD UNIVERSITY youth basketball training and player development program is designed to make you tough on and off the court.

Be Humble

Basketball is a game we all love. That’s why in this game we become passionately and emotionally invested. While playing with passion and emotion is what’s needed to win the game, without humility our passion and emotion can become our worst enemy. Passion and emotion without humility breed chaos and negativity to everyone around you. At THE HARDWOOD UNIVERSITY, we train our youth players to be Humble. Our brand of basketball doesn’t rely on one player to win a game. We believe in the whole team approach, each player in their role, contributing…that’s going to be the key to success and how you win championships in today’s game. Humility listens, is teachable, sees everyone’s role as equally important, is mindful of others, asks for help when it’s needed, has control of his/her actions, and focuses on the present. Humility Does Not: Throw up a three sign in your opponent’s face, talk trash to those who are not as good, tall, or strong as you, and doesn’t judge others based on the shoes they have, the gear they wear, or the way they look. To Be Humble is a mantra and core value of THE HARDWOOD UNIVERSITY.

Be Unique

Basketball is a game of inspiration. We look up to the players we see on TV and on the internet. With all the highlight reels that are available at our fingertips, it’s easy to want to mimic the players we love but many times we do it without the knowledge and understanding of body type or what got them to where they are. At THE HARDWOOD UNIVERSITY, we believe in being UNIQUE. That every player has a unique skill set that they could add to the game. Not every athlete has to fly like Michael Jordan or shoot like Steph Curry. In fact, we often hear that a game has been won because of the players coming off the bench. Everyone has a unique set of skills they bring to the table and if we all want to be the three-point shooter then who will get the rebound when we miss? If we all want to be the player who drives on every possession then who will be able to defend, steal or block the offensive shot? Basketball is a team sport made up of a combination of unique skill sets from each player. When you try to play someone else’s game you not only sell your team and the game short but most importantly you sell yourself short of maximizing your full potential. On and off the court we encourage our students to be you and Be UNIQUE!