Each year, NBA draft analysts will examine and identify qualities NBA scouts might find appealing with a particular player. Many of these qualities relate to physical skills a player possesses such as their shooting ability or ball handling. A few qualities relate directly to a player’s mental and emotional state.
Mental components are just as important as certain physical skills in determining if a basketball player can carve out a pro career. Basketball teams crave players who are equally strong physically and mentally.
What mental attributes matter most to NBA teams and The BALL teams?
- Toughness
- Intelligence
- Behavior
Toughness:
Toughness isn’t simply measured by a player’s ability to log extensive minutes on the court or bounce back quickly from injury. It is also measured in their attitude and personality. A mentally tough player knows how to deal with adversity and overcome it. They can put a team on their shoulders during a losing streak or a scoring drought and make enough plays to turn the tide. Mentally tough players have longer pro careers because they are capable of handling whatever situation they are in.
Intelligence:
Mistakes will happen in a basketball game. No player is perfect. Teams do value a player, though, who learns from their mistakes and finds ways to limit them. A player with high intelligence or a high “Basketball IQ” can master the art of making the right play at the right time. They show poise under pressure. Players with a high basketball IQ can work within each game situation and take what the defense gives them, rather than trying to force bad shots and bad passes.
Behavior:
One of the quickest ways a basketball player can sabotage their hoop dreams is to become a locker room cancer. Players must be teachable and be willing to give maximum effort in every game. Few teams are willing to deal with a player who only cares about boosting their own stats. A basketball player needs to be unselfish and embrace their role on the team to stick on an NBA roster.