As June wraps up and Summer flies by, the new school year — and a new season — will be here before you know it. The question is simple: What have you done with your off-season so far? Have you put in the work to improve your game since last season? Are you ready to make a real impact for your team this fall?
This is a crucial time not just for youth players, but also for the pros. In the NBA, the off-season brings the Draft, free agency, and players fighting for roster spots. Amid all this change, one thing remains consistent: every serious player is putting in the work.
Take Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Drafted in 2021 with high expectations, Kuminga has shown flashes of greatness but has struggled with consistency. Instead of relying on talent alone, he’s been grinding to take control of his future.
Recently, a reporter followed Kuminga and his trainer for 9 straight days of intense training. His schedule?
- 2 workouts per day
- 2 weight-lifting sessions per day
During that time, he made:
- 🏀 3,145 three-pointers
- 🏀 3,251 mid-range shots
- 🏀 2,772 close shots (layups, dunks, touch shots)
And those numbers don’t include his missed attempts. Videos and pictures also show a transformed, stronger physique — all signs of someone serious about his growth.
Will he break out this season? That remains to be seen. But his work ethic alone is a reminder of what it takes.
Playing on an AAU or club team during the summer helps, but it’s not enough. If your only workouts are team practices, you’re falling behind. Every coach will tell you: if you’re not putting in extra work, you’re not getting better.
It’s time to ask yourself:
Are you doing the minimum… or are you doing more than everyone else?
Because somewhere, someone is putting in that extra hour, getting up those extra shots, and lifting that extra rep — all to take the spot you want.
This off-season is your opportunity. Use it. Challenge yourself. Outwork your competition. Because come fall, your performance will show exactly how hard you worked — or didn’t.
