Galen Harkness • February 26, 2026
Run Your Own Race
Every player looks around.
Who made varsity first.
Who got ranked.
Who’s posting highlights.
Who already has offers.
It’s hard not to compare.
But here’s the truth most players learn too late:
Your basketball journey is not supposed to look like someone else’s.
Development Is Not Linear
Some players grow early.
Some grow late.
Some figure the game out at 12. Others at 17.
None of that predicts who will actually become the best player.
I’ve coached players who dominated youth basketball and stopped improving.
I’ve also coached players who barely stood out in middle school and became high-level high school and college players.
Why?
Because development happens in phases — not rankings.
Rankings Don’t Train For You
Stars, rankings, and hype can feel important.
But they don’t make you better at:
- handling pressure
- making reads
- defending consistently
- or making the right play late in games
Work does that.
Daily habits do that.
Quiet improvement does that.
The players who last are usually the ones focused on getting better, not being noticed.
The Comparison Trap
Comparison steals focus.
When you constantly measure yourself against others, you start training for the wrong reasons:
- You rush development.
- You force results.
- You lose patience.
And patience is a real skill in basketball.
Ask yourself:
Are you chasing improvement — or approval?
That question changes everything.
What Running Your Own Race Looks Like
It looks like showing up when progress feels slow.
It looks like working on weaknesses even when nobody sees it.
It looks like trusting that small gains stack over time.
Some seasons you grow physically.
Some seasons you grow mentally.
Some seasons you barely see results — but foundations are being built.
All of it matters.
What Parents Should Know
Development timelines vary more than people realize.
Confidence, decision-making, strength, and maturity all develop at different speeds.
The goal isn’t to peak early.
The goal is to keep improving long enough
for real ability to show up.
Long-term players win.
Focus on What You Control
You don’t control rankings.
You don’t control hype.
You don’t control when others succeed.
You control:
- effort
- attitude
- habits
- consistency
- coachability
And those things compound.
A Simple Coaching Truth
The players who succeed aren’t always the early stars.
They’re the ones who stay committed when improvement feels invisible.
They keep working.
They keep learning.
They keep showing up.
They run their own race.
And eventually, the work shows.
How EYG Basketball Can Help
At EYG Basketball, we focus on long-term player development — not shortcuts, rankings, or hype.
Our training is built for players who want to improve step by step: building skills, decision-making, confidence, and habits that translate to real games over time.
If you’re a player willing to work, a parent looking for structured development, or a coach who values fundamentals, consistency, and growth, we’d love to help.
You can view current EYG Basketball programs and upcoming training opportunities here:
Keep improving. Stay patient. Run your own race.
Many high school players succeed on athletic ability alone—but it doesn’t last. Learn why dedication and skill development determine long-term basketball success.
Why Simple Dominates Basketball I like watching NBA clips of individual players. Yes — they are athletic. But that is not what catches my attention. It is how simple they keep the game. One or two dribble moves. Change of speed. Change of direction. Control of pace. They are intelligent with the ball. Fans enjoy highlights and Top-10 plays. But at the highest level, it is simple basketball that dominates games. The Truth Most Players Miss Great players are not doing ten moves. They are doing one move well. Then they read the defense and react. Watch clips of Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard: Change of speed Strong footwork One decisive dribble move Finishing with both hands Nothing complicated. Just efficient basketball. What Players Should Do Instead of Just Watching Watching highlights should not be entertainment only. It should be learning. Pick one thing you notice. Then go work on it. Not ten skills. Not a new move every day. One skill. Repeated with purpose. That is how improvement actually happens. Why This Matters Simple skills win possessions. Simple decisions win games. Players who master the basics move: From bench → starter From starter → best shooter From shooter → leading scorer From high school player → college opportunity The game rewards players who execute simple things at a high level. How EYG Helps At EYG Basketball, we work with players who are ready to work. Players who want real development — not hype. We help athletes build: Ball control Footwork Shooting consistency Game decision-making Confidence through repetition If you are ready to improve, we are ready to help. 👉 View current EYG opportunities: https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events https://app.upperhand.io/customers/165-eyg-basketball/events
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