Confessions of a Basketball Mom: Introduction

Let me take this opportunity and introduce myself and for the record I am not just a random parent on the sidelines instead I have a 15-year-old daughter who has been on this journey since the start of the pandemic.  

Like many kids who began playing during COVID, she had to navigate limited training opportunities, shifting team structures, and the changing landscape of recruiting. Every decision we make, from choosing teams to prioritizing development, comes with a new set of challenges and opportunities.

So now that I established my credentials  I am honored to pick up Team FOOTPRINTZ' blog to Diary of a Basketball Mom although we are calling this series "Confessions of a Basketball Mom".  

I read my fellow basketball mom’s blog from 2020 and despite the fact that so much of what she shared still holds true, a lot has changed since 2020. 

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be diving into some of the biggest shifts in youth basketball, exploring how they impact players, parents, and the game itself. 

For my first blog entry I will be unpacking the below topics:

• The Lasting Impact of COVID on Player Development
• The Rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) for High School Athletes
• The Growing Focus on Mental Health 
• The Cost of Playing Elite Basketball Has Skyrocketed
• Girls’ Basketball is Growing—But Challenges Remain
• Recruiting Has Changed—And It’s More Competitive Than Ever

Basketball has evolved dramatically since my daughter first stepped onto the court in 2020. The game is faster, the expectations are higher, and the pathway to success is more complex. But through it all, the love for the sport remains.

For parents and players navigating this world today, adaptability is key—understanding what’s changed, embracing what works, and staying patient through the ups and downs. No matter how different the landscape looks, one thing remains constant: the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.

I look forward to navigating these next four years and I am excited to share a piece of our journey with you'll.