As basketball season ramps up again at Jones, tryouts are in full swing. 

To stand out, players must give their all and focus on the subtle aspects of the game that coaches value.

“I would say to go 100% and play hard the whole time. Sometimes the coaches look for the intangibles like playing hard, rebounding, and moving off the ball,” said Nathan Song ‘26, a returning player on the varsity team. 

Making a strong first impression can be key, as coaches prioritize players with both skill and an evident passion for the game

“I think it’s all about the first impression. If they notice you playing with heart, that’s something that you can’t teach,” said Song. “If you have skill, that’s undoubtedly one of the main things that stand out, but a coach looks for confident, hard-working players that will contribute to the team in some fashion.”

For returning players, moving up through team levels demands significant adaptation, especially as expectations become more rigorous with each step.

“I think the transition from either 8th grade to JV, or JV to varsity transition from JV to varsity is definitely the hardest because we strive to be near perfect in our playstyle,” said Song. 

Many players say they need to be in a certain mindset before getting ready to play.

“Mentally, I focus on positive outcomes instead of letting negativity or nerves take over,” said returning varsity player Bruk Webb ‘26. 

Players also note an important physical aspect of the game that prospective players should focus on. 

“Physically, it’s all about working on conditioning and skills,” said Webb. “My advice: dedicate your free time to working out, developing your skills, staying positive, and building your confidence.”

Although tryouts are often perceived as determining whether you are playing on the team or not, consistent efforts are often prioritized over tryout performance. 

“The most challenging part of being on the basketball team is maintaining a spot. Every practice, the coach is evaluating and making changes, so your place isn’t guaranteed, no matter how talented you are. It’s all about your effort and drive,” said Webb. 

 Putting in effort and making connections with fellow team members leads to many benefits for players. 

“The most rewarding part of being on the basketball team is the culture. Getting to play different games, going up against different teams, and experiencing new environments is really exciting,” said Webb. 

The rewards and challenges of the team create optimism as players work through their struggles.  

“Keep going,” said Webb, “and ignore people who try to bring you down.”