In 2017, Bleacher Report described that Kevin Love, a former Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player, experienced a panic attack during a game versus the Atlanta Hawks. When faced with this, Love had no idea what was happening, but it was a wake-up call to address his mental health issues.
As a participant in basketball and soccer at HBHA, mental health is the backbone of the competitive but also enjoyable experience in sports. Sports can be a way to let out anger but at some times be a form of anger in itself.
Many men and women in basketball feel that keeping emotions to themselves on the court shows toughness and power. Breaking free from this mindset is key to a player’s journey, whether in high school basketball or the NBA.
All athletes are constantly faced with expectations from fans and teammates. Phineas Green, a varsity boys basketball player at HBHA states, “We try to hold each other up and not put each other down, and it’s good for hopefully everybody’s mental health.”
HBHA’s boys’ varsity team participates in activities such as yoga and one-minute visualization sessions before games as a team. During the visualization, players mentally zoom in on what they want to focus on at the start of the game. This sets expectations for personal performance and allows our team to hold each other accountable and try to achieve our goals together.
On the Rams varsity girl’s basketball team, Avital Mullokandova explains that going into a game with the mindset of having fun makes it much more meaningful and enjoyable. She states, “My team is always there to have fun with me and make me realize that it’s just a game and that we can all laugh it off, and at the end of the day, we put in our all.” Supporting each other and constantly having fun is something that makes not only basketball special but the connections we have with our teammates at school as well.
Coaches have a huge impact on players’ confidence, skills, stress, and personal lives. They play a crucial role in providing players with a positive environment, assisting with physical and mental support, and offering resources to help with personal issues inside and outside of basketball.
Coach D, the varsity boys’ basketball coach, has taken a different mindset for this season. Instead of focusing on just the aspect of winning and prioritizing the work of basketball, Coach D and the team are trying to have the right amount of fun while still persevering in the game.
Recently, my team had a devastating loss against Kansas School of the Deaf where my team came back by 15, but still lost in overtime. After the game, while I was walking out of the gym, the security guard told me our team looked like we were playing basketball as if it was a job and not for enjoyment and entertainment. The security guard asked me, “WTF?” I had no clue what he was talking about because this is commonly a mean phrase to say. He told me it means, “Where’s the Fun?”
In the moment, after a tough loss like that, it’s easy to get caught up in frustration and forget why you play in the first place. The security guard’s “WTF” comment was shocking to me at first, but after thinking about it more, I realized the deeper meaning. It’s a reminder that basketball (and sports in general) should be about passion, enjoyment, and the love of the game, not just the pressure to win.
Mental health in basketball is just as important as physical health, yet it is often heavily overlooked. The pressures of competition, expectations, and coaches, along with the constant pursuit of improving your team and skills, can ultimately have a significant effect on your mental well-being. Recognizing these challenges, obtaining support, and encouraging your teammates to join you is the starting point for a special team, which is what the Rams are trying to achieve.
