Basketball is a game that teaches many life lessons. It is a game of hard work, dedication, and a strategic mindset. Only after years and year of practice, can one achieve their dreams.
Mason Plumlee is an NBA player with the Denver Nuggets and has been playing basketball since childhood. As a high school player, he was named McDonald’s All-American in 2008 and was North Carolina’s “Mr. Basketball” in 2009. He went on to Duke University, where he won a national title and earned All-American honors. He was a first-round NBA Draft Pick in 2013 and won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2014. He is now considered one of the most dynamic playmaking forwards in the NBA.
Plumlee has dedicated years of time and effort to achieve his goals. Long-term success requires attention to detail in his craft and consistent commitment to a few key activities and themes:
Mastering the fundamentals
No matter how long you practice, the proper technique is essential if you want to achieve maximum improvement. Plumlee has always focused on understanding the fundamentals of the game, studying film, working with top coaches to improve his skills, and seeking wisdom from peers to master fundamentals.
Practising every day
Plumlee played a lot of sports growing up, but focused his attention on basketball by the time he got to high school. He spent hours every day practicing his skills. Plumlee knew that although he was a “big man,” he needed to master guard skills like ballhandling, passing and scoring in a variety of ways. That helped set him apart as a player and gave him an edge as he progressed. He continues to practice skills every day that will help him succeed on the court. Practice and work ethic distinguish the great players. Michael Jordan didn’t make his varsity team until junior year, but he continued to practice until he achieved his goals and eventually became one of the greatest players in the game.
Education is important
No matter how much athletic success you have, education and being a lifelong learner is important. Plumlee has always been a standout student, earning academic honors in high school and college and graduating near the top of his class at Duke. His off-court learning has continued after college, as he has taken time to learn about business and finance, investing and real estate, art and culture. Just like the benefits of learning the game, taking time to understand the world and engaging your curiosity helps to build knowledge, create stronger connections, expand opportunities and make good decisions in life.
Enjoy life to the fullest
No matter how much love a player has for his game, it’s important to keep the proper balance outside of sports. Having a healthy social life is critical to success on and off the court. For Plumlee, that means spending time with family and friends. It’s a little more difficult during the global pandemic, but Plumlee has made the most of virtual get-togethers and parties. Whether Mason Plumlee is dating is not confirmed, but he appears to have a thriving social life.