Confessions of a basketball parent

Our parent “confessions” series gives an inside, anonymous (unless you choose otherwise) look at life in the activities that help define our kids’ childhoods.

In this edition, a Sioux Falls basketball mom takes us inside one of the fastest-growing sports in town.

How did it all start in basketball for your family? What drew your son to the sport?

Our oldest son, William, has been playing basketball since he was about 10 months old when he would sit up and dunk on his mini basketball hoop. Now, nearly 11 years later, he lives and breathes basketball.

William has participated in various sports over the years, but basketball became something he was really good at and has always been his passion.

Talk us through the progression. How did your son start off in the sport as far as level of participation, frequency of practice, etc., and then how has it steadily increased?

After graduating from his Little Tikes basketball hoop, William started playing recreational basketball at the YMCA when he was 6 years old, and they had just 30-minute practices before each game. Games were held almost every Saturday for 12 weeks.

Just a few years later, he moved up into the competitive division with the YMCA, practicing one hour a week with the team. While we were watching William excel on the basketball court, conversations began about additional training and learning more about the game. This is when he stepped up to play AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) ball at the South Dakota Network Basketball (The Network) at the age of 10 years old. He was then practicing about three days a week for about 60 minutes each day.

What does your son’s participation look like today? How often do they practice, play, etc.?

Now, William’s practices have become a bit more intense on the court and then at home with regular workouts. His practice schedule each week is:

• Monday and Thursday, basketball practice with The Network.
• Tuesday, off.
• Wednesday, skills training with The Network.
• Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, speed and agility training at Sanford POWER.

At The Network, William is coached by some of the best of the best alongside coach Kasib Powell. Coach Kasib formerly played preseason games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Chicago Bulls, the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies. Coach Kasib was called up to play with the Miami Heat in 2008. In addition to his coaching at The Network, he is the head assistant coach of the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

How would you describe the travel? Do you have a most memorable trip?

When William was little and playing with the YMCA, our travel was at various courts in Sioux Falls and Brandon. It was fun to watch those little players on the big courts when they were so small! Oh, memories! Now, since being with The Network, our summer travels for basketball games have taken us to Omaha this last year. While were we originally scheduled to play in Sioux City, Kansas City and Minneapolis in summer 2020, because of the pandemic, travel was condensed and restricted to games in Omaha and Sioux Falls.

We’ve only had one trip outside of Sioux Falls since William has been playing with The Network, and that was Omaha. This was amidst the pandemic, and it was such a sight to see hundreds of players plus countless spectators have temperature checks before entering each game, masks required by all and no loitering before or after games. We couldn’t have imagined that six months later, we’re still doing the same for local games.

 So, if we were watching you – and/or your spouse – in the stands during a game, what might we see? What kind of parent-spectator are you?

You’ll more than likely see me sitting forward in my chair, leaning in with my elbows on my knees and fully engaged in the game. Most of the time, I’ve got my camera on throughout capturing every tip-off – at 5-foot-8, he’s the tip-off king, aka jumper, if that’s what they call it – and almost every hoop attempt. I’m also the mom who’s cheering for the entire team, calling out the other players’ names and doing my “rah-rah” on the sidelines. Sometimes I can get a little boisterous with the referees if a foul isn’t called on my son when it should be or even when he gets a foul called on him when it shouldn’t be.

My husband watches every play intently right beside me. Sometimes he mumbles under his breath certain moves or things that are happening. He’s also there answering my barrage of questions about the game and praising the entire team throughout.

OK, be honest, what should parent’s budget with a child in basketball? 

If wanting to play in a competitive league, the cost can range from $2,500 to- $5,000 annually for his age group. This includes team costs, training fees and then a custom uniform. Or his basketball outfit as I sometimes call it! Now, this does not include the travel costs associated with games outside of Sioux Falls. The transportation, lodging and food costs would be in addition.

What’s the coolest/most memorable thing you’ve seen happen during your son’s basketball game?

Wow! There have been so many moments over the years that have been milestones in William’s basketball career. I am so proud to see how he has grown in the sport, and with every game, there is something to celebrate – whether his team wins or loses. One of the memorable things that happened just before Thanksgiving was when William drove the ball down the court, crossed the defender over and threw it up for a perfect two points! What a move! Yes, that one ended up on social media for the world to see. His team played with conviction that day, and it was so fun watching them go up and down the court that Saturday morning for a win.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen another parent do in the sport?

Parents get super-heated on the sidelines, and in some cases, it’s the parent coaches on other teams who may lose their cool a bit during the game. A few months ago, one of the parent coaches on the opposing team was yelling at his players pretty loudly. This was a close game throughout, and no matter if the boys were up, this parent coach was hollering at the boys. At one point, he slapped the clipboard on the palm of his hand when he was upset and then eventually threw the clipboard on the chair next to one his players. Yikes!

What do you think your son’s biggest benefit has been from participating in basketball?

Seeing his passion for the game is admirable. He has a basketball hoop in our garage to play in the winter, one mini hoop in his bedroom, one in our family room in the lower level and even an arcade-style two-player basketball hoop that we play with as a family. Again, William lives and breathes basketball.

Basketball is not only a physical game but also a mental game as well. To see how he has grown mentally in the game, in the patience of learning the game and his attitude is one of the biggest benefits that I have seen come out of his 10-plus years of playing the game.

If you could go back and change something about your son’s experience in the sport would you do anything different?

William has been around many incredibly dedicated coaches over the years. It takes a lot to teach young children the game of basketball and how to be better players. The only thing that we may have done differently would’ve been to move him into a competitive league sooner so that he could have had more one-on-one coaching time when he was younger.

What do you wish you’d known about being a basketball parent that another basketball parent should know?

I didn’t grow up playing basketball, and to be honest, I am still learning the terminology, the rules and how the game is played. I am constantly asking my husband about certain moves, hand signals by the referees and even what is considered a foul. It’s a lot of work to learn the game, but I’m getting there with the help of my husband and my son.

If you’re wanting to get your son or daughter into a competitive league, know that it is not only a financial commitment but also a time commitment – on and off the court. Be prepared to spend hours taking them from one practice to the next one – all within the same night after school. Now, during a pandemic, parents can’t come in to watch practices either. Each night – except on Tuesdays – there are hours upon hours spent in the car. Somehow, I’ve conned my husband into being the parking lot parent while I’ve got my eyes on our other little guy!

Outside of the physical training, as I mentioned before, basketball is a mental game as well. My husband and I spend time talking with William about how his attitude can impact his game, positively or negatively. We both help William to maintain perspective about the game, about his role on the team and his expectations for all that is to come.

Finish this sentence: When my son is done playing basketball (which he would say will be never), I hope that he …

Appreciates all of the opportunities that the game has afforded him, from new friendships with other players that have become like brothers to him, to lifelong relationships with his coaches who have spent countless hours working with him and teaching him the game, to meeting hundreds of people that have supported him in his efforts to be the best basketball player he could be.