The Uncomfortable Truth for Young Basketball Players 

Before this video i only averaged around 4-5 points per game, i barely took shots and was scared to drive. I watched this video last night and an hour ago in my game i had 15 points and still got 5 assists with it. Thank you so much for the advice it really helped

This really depends though. Last year, Jokic had a run where out of 20 games, he won 19, and took 10 or less shots in those games, and still got the W. Just this past week, Jokic has had two games where he shot 8 or less field goals, and managed to get the dub in those games. It's good to be selfish when you're playing with people with different goals than you, but part of being a good team player is also about elevating those playing with you, and being efficient.

Truth of the matter is if you want it you have to go out and get it. People will call you selfish for it, but if you genuinely want it who is going to stop you? You are the main character in your story why would you want anyone else to write it for you?

You're legit one of the BEST content creators I've come across on yt. I have a lot of the same mentality that you do and this is super encouraging...Not just to trust yourself to take those shots but knowing that if your teammates have seen you put in the work then they will WANT you to take those shots and not be annoyed with you for taking them. Appreciate you!!

Agreed bro! I wish I played more aggressively on offense through my career. It’s that mamba mentality! Don’t worry about being called a ball hog, if you can score GO SCORE! 📝💎

Im a 15 year old player from Hungary. I've been watching your videos, and you help me so much. Its great to see that someone makes videos about the thngs i struggle with. I find myself a good, versatile player, but im struggling with confidence. I played with a team yesterday and we beat them by 100 points, but i only scored 7. I missed like 5 threes, but my problem is why did i only scored 7, when i know i could score like 30. Your videos been helping me, and im trying to find my way out of this struggle. Keep it up!!!!

Ik bros AAU team was INSANE with Naz Reid. Good video, I like watching these before games. 👍

U deserve way more subs, breaking down every basketball legend there is. Wish i had u when i was in ms/hs keep speaking the law to this. New sub here

I started watching your videos about two weeks ago and I can’t explain of how much more confidence I have, how much shots I make and most importantly, how much have I learned about game of basketball and about mentality that I worked on watching this videos. I was a very bad free throw shooter and I was getting around 30% from the line. After I watched your video about free throws i started shooting over 50%!!! Thank you very much, keep on going please because you make me keep on going!

thank you! you really inspire me and help me play better with these tips. i'm a 13 year old who lives in NJ. i'm a pretty good player and practice a lot but then i lose confidence in games but watching your videos is starting to really help me. i'm actually starting to shoot more and drive more. thank you for helping!

Bruh, you opened my mind!!! I can't only say thank you, this video has been so useful! thanks bro

Love this T-Rich!! Way to shed light on the truth. Love it 💪🏾

Thanks for this video, its almost ironic for me to see it because recently i stepped up as a main scorer on the team, but i used to have this same mindset so i was very inconsistent having games with 23 pts and some games with 7 with only 5 shots attempted. Either way this video has helped me realize what I have to do to help my team win and i appreciate it.

great video man, keep this content, its helping lots of young players!

Thanks this helped a lot. Keep making videos like these.

Thank you for sharing this with me it's going to help me in the long run

Amazing video, I really appreciate it , I needed to hear this🙌

I definitely need this. Been scared all my life being a selfish player and always passing the ball.

Great video - I've taken on this mentality in pickup and its completely changed my game

That is true! Bro, thank you so much I didn't expect that it will be good for my team!

Such a great vid. Thanks Tucker

I've been subbed to you when you had under 1k subs and now you have 13k! Im happy that your channel is going great and I hope you hit 20k soon! Keep up the AMAZING work :)

Great advice for those that have put in the work. Especially the way the game has evolved into getting downhill which can create more positive outcomes than just making a jumper. And, by being more aggressive you’ll be overall harder to guard by simply being less predictable as well as create more opportunities for your teammates.

My oldest son found this video after several games of taking no shot and hearing me rail on him needing to do more. We work out everyday and he is the best player on his team but always passes why worst players take the shots. He sent me this and I what to say thank you. You’ve said what I’ve been trying to tell him. I hope this is what he needs because he has so much potential but holds his own self back. Thank thank thank you

THIS!!!! Sent it to my son immediately. He’s the top ranked kid in his state. Is known as one of the top “all around” players in the nation, but when playing AAU he defers to players who take worse shots and isn’t aggressive enough. I tell him the same thing: your aggressiveness doesn’t just mean more shots, it will lead to greater plays and make everyone better. Thank you for this

as someone who really struggles with confidence this video came at the perfect time. I work on my game everyday for hours but when i get into games I lose all of my confidence. I can’t wait for me to change my mentality I’m gonna be a beast

this is the video i was waiting for ❤❤❤

You’re videos are special, and different from the rest. I’m happy to of found you early on before your channel really takes off. As an 18 year old deciding on a school for college hoops, your channel really helps me out. What advice would you have to yourself as a senior in high school?

Thank you for this high level of advice

This really helps, i always want to make the right play, but the other players just aren’t as good

Love this vid this will help me.

I had almost the same thought after yesterday match! I'm happy to see that a professional player kinda agrees ^^

First of all, I love your content! Second of all, I love your game! I'm a season ticket holder with my sister and I have been to every home game Nokia has played this season, excluding one pre-season game. I just love your overall game, work ethic and mentality! I think you're the best player in Korisliiga this season. I really hope you enjoy your stay in Nokia and really really really hope you would stay here and play for Nokia at least a couple of years. But I also accept the fact that most foreign players leave after just one season here because one doesn't get paid enough for playing professional basketball in Finland or they want to play on a higher level or something else. We really love and appreciate having you here in Nokia. You also seem the type of person I'd love to be friends with! Keep on doing what you're doing on court and on internet! Let's go Tucker and let's go Nokia! #YellowRush 💛🖤

This is where the Manu Ginobilis, Dreymond Greens, Tyrese Halliburton’s come into play…. Jokic, Sengun etc… players who MAXIMIZE being good at as many things as possible! The “Swiss army knives” … Lonzo ball, Jeremy sochan! They do soo much that the average fan may not recognize but trust me, teams can’t keep them off the court ! Sometimes they are the overall best player on their team, sometimes they aren’t, but the system simply doesn’t function properly without them on the court! Most importantly, other coaches know your value so if your coach is slacking, someone else will scoop you up ASAP! Always remember, even though you’re a team player, you’re also an independent contractor! If being a HIGH FUNCTIONING multi dimensional player is your FLOOR, no one can stop your shine!

Nine three pointers against the Bisons, OMG. 😲

Needed this 🙏🏾

Great video ! My dad always screamed “ why are you passing , knowing he fumbles the ball !” Man I wish I would have been way more selfish . Wish I would have seen this video 15 years ago but will pass this to my son ❤

Tucker I always thought in high school you were pretty aggressive. Were there games that you could have taken over more yes but in general you used that baseball and football player pretty well :) . I felt your senior year you had a dominate season and took over many games. Aggressiveness is always a two edged sword. Were there games you could have taken over more yes but you also got your teammates involved and that made your team better. I very much enjoyed watching you play as you took your high school to heights they had never seen. In general I agree with your philosophy in this video but I watched you play most of your senior high school season and you were pretty aggressive. If you weren't the team would never had achieved how far it went. Really good video Tucker keep up the good work!!!

I tell my son all the time!!! He needs to be more selfish. The other kids are. They don't even pass the ball if someone is open

This was a great video could you perhaps make a video on how to handle away games and different atmospheres cubits something that I struggle with when I do get minutes on my team

My son is turned 12 this week. We went to tryout today, from 40 players he was the tallest guy. I know he is super strong, he is beast, muscle size of legs, arms, his speed (he is faster than many smaller guys). Of course he rebounds more than others, coach says he has a gift to see rebound (like glue)... but he has no confidence, no aggressive to attack the rim... and passes the rebounded ball back to guys... that makes me so much painnnnn... but I still keep talking with him. your channel helps me as father to work with my son. thanks

Thanks Tucker! I'm a 5th grade basketball player and I'm pretty tall for my age (5'2-5'3) but still play point guard. This really helped!

Great game a couple days ago! You shot the lights out!!

I got a big game tomorrow. Thank you for this 🙏🙏

You're so good. Why are you not in the NBA? You deserve it man.

you might've just absolutley saved me. Lately Ive been less aggressive cause I wanted to keep my team mates that don't put the work in happy.

thanks you really help me man

Hey tuck, another great vid here. Quick question, how do you manage being agressive like this while playing high minutes? For example my team is down to 6 or 7 players, so i will sometimes be playing 34+ minutes, which is quite draining especially when your game doesnt start until 7.15 pm after a day of school. Also shout out bc nokia, i hope you win the chip this year (even with you shooting shaq efficiency on free throws 😂)!

Thankyou so much for this video i just came across it and i have the same issue

To the young people if you wanna be great be more selfish, just because there player who could put the ball better on your team or u feel like the need to make the right play to win the game because ur scare of losing just remembered it’s just a game the world is not going to end

Hi Tucker, I am a freshman in high school, and I trained increadably hard for my last season. And I improved so much! I played pickup and worked out with a trainer. When basketball season came around I was prepared to succeed and did. I did well in tryouts and made the “A Team”, even being in the starting lineup initially. However I was unsatisfied with the results of the season. I scored a few buckets every now and then and played good defence. However I was extremely unconfident with my play. I was nervous and would travel often when I got the ball. I ended the season only playing half of a quarter in our final game. I was so mad with myself. I had given up half way through the season basically. I felt like I was trapped within my coach’s plays(our style being very traditional basketball), I felt like I couldn’t make a move to the basket or anything, so I quit for this season. And I sit here thinking about how much I miss the game, and I will return next season. But how do I build confidence? How do I train more effectively? By the time you finish reading this it will probably be 2025, but never the less thank you for your attention if you see this.😂

I’m a center for my team. I try to be really aggressive and I can get good looks and drive past kids. I do a pull up jumper from about 5-10 feet away from the basket or drive to the rim. Even though I’m getting all these good looks, the ball keeps going in and out or missing by just a little bit. I also keep getting down on myself and I don’t want my teammates to stop passing me the ball. I don’t think they like it when I “waste” a ball possession.

Great video! Do you have any advice on how to get more playing time? Thanks for making videos like that.

Very, Very true

I'm old now but I made that mistake in AAU and in HS bball as a kid. Make the right play, make the extra pass, sacrifice my stats for a theoretical better look. It was not the right choice.

This really helps a lot cause last game I played I lost all confidence and had a bad game. We lost by 9 to a team we should’ve beat and being a top 3 player on my team who is better with the ball in hands when confidence, this changes my mindset. But I am wondering when is there any tips to get increase confidence?

great video btw took me until u put that colgate clip of u up to realize that ur tucker richardson who busted my team year after year (AU) good stuff tho

I 100% endorse this view. I was a pass-first PG who did not draw a lot of scouts because I never put up the newspaper (I'm old) numbers that would make them come to see me. Players need to learn to score over the top, at the rim, and, crucially, in the mid-range. I would be run off my long developing, almost set shot 3 and I would look to get all the way to the rim or pass to where the help came from. If you drive you should be ready to pull up before the defense can help because my dynamic shot was better than my teammate's stationary shot. But I didn't play that way because I thought that it wasn't "right." Another thing players need to learn is how to turn a failed drive into a post-up, and how to step away from bigger defenders in the post and shoot over smaller ones. if you can shoot from 3, shoot form 3 off the dribble, shoot from 3 on a step back, drive to a middy, shoot a floater, score at the rim with both hands from 5 angles, and end your drives in post-ups... big point totals are on their way. And it won't matter what offense you're in (team pace will matter though).

Whats the name of your team man? Great video by the way, and i will try and start putting the work in, and be more agressive 🔥🔥

I've been a fan of your RU-vid videos and I have a question for you : I shoot from 3 really well in practice even during live drills but as soon as the game starts my shots don't fall. But everything else is fine. I can shoot free throws well and mid ranges well too. What do you think is the problem? I don't feel uncomfortable or nervous shooting but it just doesn't fall in.

My coach is always saying me "be agressive, like Shai" but I wasn't understanding what that meant, but your video is such a help. My teammates are "individual" players, and I used to not score and pass a ton, but now I see why they are getting success and now I will start 2024 being more selfish in the good way. Brasilia, Brazil. PS: I'm 14 and 5'8. Dad is 5'8 and mom is 5'0. Do u think I can get at least 6'5? Thanks

Your definition is selfish isn’t a negative term. Mine and others as well, we use that term maybe more towards a teammate that’s not making the right plays and shooting his own team out rather than giving the other 4 players a chance to contribute to the team

I wouldnt disagree being efficient and scoring high would be a god sent but i feel like putting up buckets while having low efficiency as long as u outscore the opponents team you end up winning so i agree

While this is true, I feel like we should learn how to play as a team as well, rather than individually, even though playing selfishly might make you stand out, it could cost your team the win. While it is definitely important to work on your own skills in basketball, improving teamwork can benefit the team overall

Hey man, I really like your videos and they’ve helped me a lot. I’m a young basketball player, I’m 17, and have aspirations to play basketball for the rest of my life if God lets me. I have a quick question for you, how do I know I’m training hard enough and doing enough in order to accomplish something. Because I play almost everyday, I lift, do mobility and stretches and constantly research how to be better, but I still feel like I’m doing nothing and that I must push harder. I feel like I’m not doing enough in order to do accomplish anything and that if I don’t do more I will fail. You have any advice?

i can def put up with a ball hog that scores. but if u hog the ball and dont score, we have a problem

I did this and dropped 26 on great efficiency. Thank you.

I like to play chill so idk about aggressive

I havent played in 3 months for family reasons and im scared i wont be the same my love for the game is dieing and i dont know what to do anymore

Tucker great video first of all but how do I play with confidence in game, I’m not sure if you’ve done a video on it but I play very good in practice or on my own in great but don’t play to my potential in game.

Very true!😏

I’ve put work in, we even had a trainer come and he talked to me and said Im in the top of the team, I put the work in and the coach still rarely puts me in.

The Danny Green clip is crazy😂😂

Good video bro but please switch the background song

You DONT need to do this ( shoot the ball or ball hog ) if you are a point guard. Play your role and become and actual great pg. you are in control of A LOT of plays with the shooting guard so remember to pass when it’s the right time. 4:00

wow thanks im the first option and always pass the ball to other and never pass me back even when im wide oppen (i train hours a day) now i will change that

Could you do video where you review your own Korisliiga game?

Funny thing about bad players.... they are always open.... I always passed to them out of instinct. (Bronx playground upbringing). I told my son he needs to look to score more and honestly feel like a douche father. He's still young so I like his mindset I guess. Wondering can you throw something up about when you hit the growth spurt and basketball started taking off....My guy is on the young side of U14 this season and doin well. Palming a size 7 and feet like Frodo Baggins, so would love to show a clip of your earlier basketball experience. (He'll prob be one inch taller than Dad and top out at 6'4) Next year, proper U14 and I may start letting him shoot 3s....

Fyi, you can also be in attack mode on defense

Tucker can u explain plays in highschool because i overthink when i should i run the play or break it for an easy buckst

Hi I know you don’t remember me, but I always appreciate the help, what do I do if I have no one to practice with or won’t get picked up because no one knows I’m good? I want to get better by playing games.

Is it better to do what some people in pickup do which is just jack up a 3 every time they touch the ball?

Former pro here, think your about right.

Just wondering when did you make the varsity team?

I think i have to be more selfish because i cant showcase my talent because i let them shine and they getting good because of me because i let them to be more confident than me but that is not a problem i just want to be more good by being selfish and use my skills so i can experience more.

it doesn’t matter how much you want to play college basketball, not everyone can afford a trainer

But if I only pass like a little bit my coach’s will bench me what do I do about that

Im a bench warmer senior year in hs because i never played school do u think i can play college without offers?

Good money here… but u HAVE to put in the work!

Balso one other thing I may be tall but I am extremely overweight and with the time school takes I can’t even sleep nun the less workout so how should I transition to a primary ball handler(I play Ben Wallace d by not even letting the guy get the ball or even get a good shot)and people start triple teaming me when I get the ball this also comes with stamina issues

I’m playing AAU basketball right now, I used to average 10 rebounds,10 assists, and 5 points. Now I have worst teaming and averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds while we score only 20 points a game. How do I tell them to pass me the ball?

Long story short, may Mycareer literally

obrigado por isso

I have a question. How do i get the ball more in games? Because most of the times I’m wide open but I never get the ball. I don’t know if its just my teammates not passing or if I’m doing something wrong. Can you please help me??

Ok but like my teammate shoots around 40 shots a game and misses like 3/4s of those shots. Is he correct?

Im a big guard for my team i average about 23 points a game but i iso 1/3 of ours team offense i think i can score more but my coaches hold me back to pass more than usual what should i do

When I developed my handles and footwork to a certain level, I became more selfish and more aggressive, but my coach was always a pass first type of coach. As a point guard I realized I won’t have much visibility, so I took my aggressiveness even higher. Any time I passed the ball it had to be an assist or else I’m getting that bucket myself

Hey coach, im a 2 guard and our point guard is very ball dominant, how do i be more aggressive without forcing shots

Thank you for saying this, im gonna try to be a bit more selfish now ( in a good way ahhaha) cya in the next vid

*Selfishly