The Rookie Playbook: Part 1

I never realized how valuable it would’ve been to understand the realities of university athletics before stepping in as a rookie. Lately, younger athletes have been asking about my experience playing university basketball and what they should know before taking the leap. That’s what inspired this blog, an honest look at the highs, lows, and everything in between, so you can head into your post‑secondary journey feeling informed and prepared.  Over time, other athletes will share their stories here too, creating the resource I wish I had before starting my U‑Sport career. I hope you enjoy this series, learn from it, and feel a little more ready for what’s ahead.

My second piece of advice: be loud, and don’t be afraid to use your voice. You can be the least skilled player in the gym and still have one of the biggest impacts simply by communicating. Talking on the court is such an underrated skill, but the best players do it, and it matters.  As a point guard, this was something I struggled with. I’m naturally quiet, so stepping up as a leader and speaking confidently to my teammates did not come easily. It took time, discomfort, and a lot of practice. But here’s what I learned: it doesn’t matter what people think. Don’t worry about sounding “too loud” or feel like you’re talking too much. Be confident. Speak up. Communicate with purpose. These two habits: confidence and communication, will set you apart more than you realize.

One thing you can count on in post‑secondary sports: get ready to WORK. Preseason was honestly the hardest stretch of my entire athletic career. Here’s what it looked like: two practices a day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon or evening. That’s four hours of basketball every single day, on top of weight training and conditioning sessions.  My biggest advice? Show up prepared and take your recovery seriously. After a long day, all you’ll want to do is crash on the couch, but take five to ten minutes to find time to stretch. It makes a difference, trust me. And use the services available to you. If you have access to physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, heat, or ice treatments, take advantage of them. These resources are free while you’re an athlete, and in the real world, they cost a fortune. Don’t take them for granted, your body will thank you later.

Once the season starts, everything feels chaotic. Coaches are fired up, players are trying to prove themselves, and the emotions run high. During my first year, I spent most of my time terrified of making mistakes. One of my assistant coaches gave me advice that honestly changed everything for me.  She said, “If you’re constantly worrying about messing up, you will mess up.” If your inner dialogue is, “Don’t turn the ball over,” you’re probably going to. Instead, focus on what you can control to prevent the turnover in the first place.  For me, that looked like going back to the basics: keeping my offhand up to protect the ball, faking a pass before making one, and using a solid retreat dribble. I know it might sound like little-league stuff, but those fundamentals grounded me every single time. So here’s my advice: focus on the actions that help you avoid mistakes, not the fear of making them. Turnovers happen. Shake it off and move on. As my coach always said, “Get angry, next play.”

One of the last things I want to talk about is playing through injuries. I didn’t truly struggle with them until university, and ankle injuries were my biggest battle. TAPE YOUR ANKLES. I genuinely cannot stress this enough. Rolled and sprained ankles have become so normalized in sport, but they shouldn’t be. I brushed mine off for years, and it caught up to me in my final season. My ankle started cramping out of nowhere, even while sitting or stretching, and it felt like I had fully rolled it again. I wouldn’t be able to walk for days. I ended up missing half my last season because of it. To this day, I still don’t know the full extent of the damage and might even need surgery.

Then, going into my fourth year, I tore my ACL during preseason. After three strong years of playing big minutes, losing an entire season was devastating. But I learned how to contribute in different ways- to be loud on the bench, to lead from the sidelines, and to support my team off the court. Here’s the truth: you only get one body, and you’re going to have it for the rest of your life. If you’re hurt, do not let coaches or teammates pressure you into pushing through pain. Your physical and mental health come first, always.  Ironically, my ACL year became one of my favorite school years. I got a campus job and made lifelong friends outside of basketball. I used my nine months of rehab to get stronger and learn more about weightlifting, skills I still use today. No matter what situation you’re in, you have to find a way to make the most of it.

Looking back, I wish I had understood that basketball wasn’t everything. At the time, it felt like my entire world revolved around the game. Every bad performance stuck with me for days, and I let it consume me. Now that I’ve stepped away, I can see how different those years might have felt, and how giving myself permission to breathe, enjoy, and just be would've actually helped me perform at my best.

So take time to enjoy what’s outside the gym. Hang out with your friends. Get involved in campus activities and events. Remember that this is your university experience, so make the most of every part of it, not just the moments on the court.