On the Games You've Got Left

I remember the last game I ever played in a jersey.

I remember who I guarded.

I remember where my parents were sitting, and the shirts they wore with my number and our last name on the back.

I remember the absolute DOG I let myself become.

I was everywhere, making every play.

And I remember the moment a teammate went half-ass on a closeout that sealed our coffin in the Sweet-16 game.

I remember the sadness after it ended, and the curiosity too.

But I also remember feeling...

complete.

I left everything on the floor, every single night.

I loved this game, y'all.

And even with all the memories, the good and the bad, I still sat in that locker room afterward thinking:

"Wow... that went fast."

If you're a freshman playing both club and high school, you've got about 320 games left to play before college.

If you're a sophomore, you've got about 225.

Junior: 170

Senior: 80

That's it.

Every time you step on the floor, I want you to cherish it.

Squeeze every drop of effort out of your body, because that becomes who you are.

If you knew your next game was your last, how hard would you go?

How much love would you pour into every moment?

How many loose balls would you dive on?

What would your defense look like?

Your communication?

Your bench energy?

I know that day may not feel close.

But it will be here before you know it.

So you may as well let yourself go absolutely nuts while you're here.

Play every game like it is your last one.

Like you have everything to lose.

Do you know how hard it is to beat someone playing for everything?

The choices you make with the time you have now are favors (or disservices) to the future you will meet.

Make the hard ones. :)

Go get a bucket.

And remember I'm always in your corner. Reach out anytime.

BriAnna

P.S.

And on the flip side, don't be the teammate that's remembered for not closing out hard during the make-or-break possession in the Sweet-16 game.