As we pulled into the Xfinity Center, I expected a certain kind of energy in the car.
I was riding with a group of 7th and 8th graders—kids who say they want to play college basketball. My own son was about to compete on that very court. This was supposed to be one of those moments that plants a seed. The kind that makes a young athlete sit a little taller and think, “That could be me someday.”
Instead, the conversation went like this:
“Did you see what they had on their homepage?”
Not the arena.
Not the players warming up.
Not the dream unfolding right in front of them.
SpongeBob.
That was the focus.
And in that moment, I felt something I didn’t quite have words for yet—not disappointment, exactly, but a deep awareness of how different this generation’s challenge really is.
When I Was a Kid, Exposure Sparked Dreams
When my dad took me to Sonics games or college basketball games, I remember sitting in the stands and daydreaming.
I imagined myself on the floor.
I imagined the work it would take to get there.
And without anyone forcing it, I started making quiet commitments to myself.
Those moments mattered. They shaped how I thought about effort, sacrifice, and who I wanted to become.
Today’s kids still have dreams—but they also have something we didn’t.
The Real Opponent: Competing for Attention
Our kids aren’t lacking interest or potential.
They’re surrounded by infiltrators.
Phones. Endless content. Constant noise.
All of it is fighting relentlessly for their attention.
It’s like secondhand smoke. One kid doesn’t even have to be on their phone. Someone else sees something, shares it, and suddenly the entire group’s mental energy is pulled away from what actually matters.
And the scary part?
Most of the time, it happens without anyone noticing.
Attention Is a Limited Resource
There’s something I heard years ago at a spiritual retreat that has stayed etched in my heart—especially after navigating a stroke later in life:
Attention is a limited resource.
Think of it like a flashlight in the dark. Wherever you point it, that’s what you experience more of. That’s what grows. That’s what shapes your life.
If we don’t help our kids learn how to aim that flashlight intentionally, someone else will do it for them.
What Parents Can Do (And Why It Matters)
After that game, I had conversations with the kids—and with their parents.
We talked about carving out sacred time and space:
- Time to dream
- Time to work toward those dreams
- Time to reflect on who they’re becoming in the process
Because development isn’t just about skill workouts and game reps. It’s about helping kids build awareness around where their time, attention, and energy are going.
This is the real work.
How Watts Basketball Approaches Development Differently
At Watts Basketball, the goal isn’t to simply fill a gym with players.
The program is built for families who are looking for a true partner in their child’s development—on and off the court.
Yes, players work on their basketball skills.
But just as importantly, they’re guided to develop:
Focus and intentionality
Awareness around time and attention
Mindset and personal responsibility
Reflection on effort, habits, and growth
Basketball becomes the vehicle, not the destination.
Programs are offered at different levels of commitment, allowing families to choose an environment that aligns with their goals—whether they’re early in the journey or already thinking long-term.
If you’re looking for a program fit for your kid, FIND A PROGRAM here. Not sure if it’s the right fit? Sign up for a FREE CLASS and our coaches will help you find the best program for your kid!
A Final Thought for Parents
That SpongeBob moment was a reminder for me.
Dreams don’t disappear all at once.
They fade slowly… as attention drifts.
As parents, coaches, and mentors, our role isn’t to eliminate distractions entirely—that’s unrealistic.
Our role is to help kids learn how to choose.
Where they place their attention today shapes who they become tomorrow.