Recently I spent some time with one of my mentors, Coach Forrest Larson, formerly of Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI. I have been fortunate to see several big time coaches speak or run practice like Rick Pitino, Coach K, Billy Donovan, Bo Ryan and Jim Boeheim, to name a few. Until I met Ganon there was no one better than Coach Larson, who is regarded by many basketball authorities as the premier skill development coach in Wisconsin. His passion and attention to detail are second to none. I worked his Take It To The Rim camps for 5 summers and learned more than I would have ever imagined.
We were in the gym and talking for over 4 hours. He shared times he spent watching individuals with Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Tim Grgurich, and Mike Dunlap and I found out where he had learned so much that he taught me about the game. The longer we were in the gym I found out I was doing more of the talking. I was reminded that one of the reasons I looked up to him so much was his passion to learn and always get better. The guy has probably forgot more basketball than I know and here is, asking someone almost 30 years younger than him about the game. I was humbled and filled with confidence at the same time.
Keep striving for more and surround yourself with people in your life that will light your fire. Coach Larson keeps my candle lit!