# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Professional Basketball Player Career Paths

As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a professional basketball player can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as basketball coach, progress to a title such as team leader and then eventually end up with the title development director.

Professional Basketball Player

Top Careers Before Professional Basketball Player

Show More

Top Careers After Professional Basketball Player

Show More

How To Become a Professional Basketball Player Career Overview

Average Salary for a Professional Basketball Player

Professional Basketball Players in America make an average salary of $51,882 per year or $25 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $109,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $24,000 per year.

Average Professional Basketball Player Salary

$51,882 Yearly

What Am I Worth?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
how to become a professional basketball player

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is A Professional Basketball Player? | Definition, Career, and Overview

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a professional basketball player can determine their career goals through the career progression.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Download Article

Download Article

Making it onto a professional basketball team is no easy task, but it's definitely possible. Whether you're in middle school, high school, or college, setting your sights on the NBA can only improve your game, so don't be afraid to dream big.

1. Practice shooting from everywhere on the court. Practice shooting at close range, longer range and then 3-point range so you become a dexterous, well-rounded shooter. It can help to work on your shooting ability in continuous three-week rotations, spending one week working on each type of shot. You can never be too precise.

Try to maintain a strong shooting average: At least 60% average from the 2-point field goal, 40% from 3-point line and 75% from free throw line.

2. Record video of yourself playing in basketball games. Watching your body move when you make good baskets and when you miss can help you tweak things that are off and improve your game. If you're in middle or high school, have a friend or parent attend a game to help you record some video footage. If you're in college, many teams have media assistants who record games for the university. Ask your coach if you can review some game footage.

It can be helpful to compile your best footage from these games into a highlight reel for potential NBA recruiters, if you are in college. Edit the video to keep lagging moments to a minimum and keep your video under 5 minutes.

3. Start a strength-training regimen to build muscle. Increasing your physical strength will enable you to make shots from farther away and muscle around people who guard you. Start a strength-training regimen with a coach who has an understanding of basketball. They can tailor your exercises to your body and your sport's specific needs.

If you are in high school, contact your school's athletic director and ask if they can connect you with a lifting coach who has basketball experience.

If you are in college, your school likely already has strength-training experts on staff. Contact your athletic administrator to see if you can book some one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer.

4. Increase your endurance by implementing healthy habits. Basketball requires lots of running up and down the court, so it is imperative to maintain your physical condition so you can play your best from the beginning of the game to the end. Staying well hydrated, getting 8 hours of sleep a night, and eating healthy foods will all help your body function optimally and increase your endurance.

1. Find the right coach. If you're in middle school or high school, your school basketball team likely has a coach already. If you're not getting much individual attention from that coach though and feel really passionately about improving your basketball game, consider hiring a private coach. A private coach can give you personalized feedback to help you grow more quickly as a player and work on weak areas of your game.

Coachup.com can connect you with a private skilled basketball tutor in your area.

Working with a coach one-on-one enables you to build a more intimate mentor-mentee relationship. When interviewing potential private coaches, look for someone you have good rapport with and whose accomplishments you respect. It is a bonus if they have connections with influential recruiters.

2. Be a leader on and off the court. Attitude matters. A basketball team can't function with a roster full of prima donnas because it is a team sport. Make yourself appealing to prospective recruiters by being a leader and exemplary person both on the off the court. Everyone wants a player who will get along with others and inspire the team to be better.

Learning from your mistakes and setting a high standard are two great ways you can step up your leadership game.

In the end, it will be your work ethic, commitment, and determination that help you succeed as a basketball player.

Don't be afraid to approach your coach at school, whether high school or college, and ask if there's a way to assume more responsibility on the team.

3. Play as many tournaments as possible. Getting in front of talent scouts from major universities (if you are in high school) and NBA teams (if you are in college) are key to advancing in your basketball career. Attend as many tournaments as possible, as these are places important coaches and influencers go to see and select the next generation of players. The more influential people who see you play the better.

If you're in high school, many AAU leagues participate in regional tournaments your school may not. You don't need to sign up for anything extra, but the schedule can be grueling on top of your other commitments. If playing in the NBA is really your dream, try to attend as many as you can.

If you're in college, your school basketball team already participates in all the right tournaments. Make the most of recruiting opportunities at regional conference tournaments and March Madness by playing the best you possibly can.

1. Make your high school team so you can get onto a college team. You must be 19 to play in the NBA, and most players are drafted out of college. Excel to the best of your ability in high school and AAU basketball, so you can play at a competitive basketball school such as Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina. Top NBA recruiters usually only consider players from Division 1 basketball programs.

A private basketball coach can help step up your game if you're not where you need to be.

If you're in high school, good grades will help round you out as a full "package" and make you more attractive as a student-athlete. Think like a recruiter: You want to be an easy sell to whomever they need to make your case to. If you need an academic tutor to bring your grades up, contact your dean's office. They can connect you with a tutor who will meet your needs.

Most high school and college coaches will have a good sense of which recruiters will be at specific games or showcases. Ask your coach if they have any information about this, if you're hoping to connect with someone.

2. Hire an agent. If you are at a high level of play but haven't been approached by a recruiter yet, it may be that you are past college age or just haven't gotten the right people to see you play. Contact an agent in the U.S. to help facilitate important meetings to get your professional career on track.

Hoopshype.com has a list of the top basketball agents and links to their sports agencies so you can contact them. You can see how many players each agent has placed and where, if you have your heart set on a specific team.

Add New Question

What does it take to become a professional basketball player?

Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county's history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school's history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You have to have actions to back up your dreams. Work with your coach to make up a plan of the things you're going to do on a daily basis that are going to move you one step at a time in the direction of your goals. In the end, it all comes down to your work ethic, commitment, and determination.

What are the odds of making it into the NBA?

Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county's history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school's history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

How can I get to be a good point guard?

Set others up and know the plays inside and out enhance your knowledge of the game. Always keep an eye out for the open player. See further: How to Be a Point Guard.

Show more answers

1. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.

2. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.

This article was co-authored by Ryan Tremblay. Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county's history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school's history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame. This article has been viewed 770,053 times.

To improve your NBA chances as a middle or high schooler, join a local Amateur Athletic Union team and play in tournaments in front of college recruiters. Improve your game by watching videos of yourself and working one-on-one with a coach. As a college player, play in showcases to connect with NBA recruiters, or play internationally if your school isn't a hub for scouts. To learn more about how to find an agent or play basketball internationally, keep reading the article!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 770,053 times.

"When I read your article, I did everything it said because I was trash. I was on a basketball team and never made a shot. Now I am a good player because of your article." ..." more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Making it onto a professional basketball team is no easy task, but it's definitely possible. Whether you're in middle school, high school, or college, setting your sights on the NBA can only improve your game, so don't be afraid to dream...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Much Do NBA Players Make Per Game? - Ball Are Life

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How much do NBA players make per game?; How much an NBA player makes per game, per minute, and per second is absolutely insane!