The Best Motivational Basketball Quotes To Help You Keep Going When Things Get Tough
In honor of basketball season, here are some of our favorite motivational basketball quotes from some of the game’s greatest players. No matter what your goals are, these quotes will inspire you to keep shooting for the stars.
Quotes to Get You Motivated for Basketball Season
“The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pele
“I’ve failed over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
“Basketball is like photography, if you don’t focus, all you’ll end up with is an unfocused blur.”
– Alex Kennedy
Quotes to Help You Through Tough Basketball Games
1) “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” – Gary Player
2) “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter
3) “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi
4) “If you’re going to be a good team, you have to have good Chemistry. You have to like each other off the court, as well as on the court.” – John Wooden
5) “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks
6) “Basketball doesn’t build character it reveals it.” – Jimmy V
7) “You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.” – Michael Jordan
Quotes to Keep You Motivated During Practice
“The only way to get better at basketball is to play basketball.” – Michael Jordan
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
“There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and never win anything. What matters is whether those players genuinely care about each other and are willing to sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.” – Larry Bird
“Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” – Walt Alston
Quotes to Inspire Your Team
Basketball is a game of momentum. The team that seizes the moment and plays with the most heart is usually the one that comes out on top. Here are some quotes to inspire your team to give their all and come out victorious.
“The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself – the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us – that’s where it’s at.” – Jesse Owens
“You can’t put a limit on how much you can improve and how much you can do. There are no limits on what you can be, do, or have in life.” – Tony Robbins
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
“There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.” – Vince Lombardi
Quotes to Get You Through a Slump
When you’re in a shooting slump, sometimes all you need is a little motivation to get you back on track. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some of the best basketball quotes to help you get through the tough times.
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth
“I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.” – Gale Sayers
“There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.” – Abe Lemons
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi
Quotes to Help You Stay Positive
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” – Jimmy V
“The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”- Michael Jordan
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”- Michael Jordan
“Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you.”- Michael Jordan
Quotes to Remind You Why You Love Basketball
“Basketball is an amazing game. It’s a sport that has the ability to bring people together from all walks of life.” -Magic Johnson
“I think that sports, and basketball in particular, areva unifying force in society.” -Michael Jordan
“Basketball is about energy and effort. And about taking what the defense gives you.” -Larry Bird
Quotes to Help You End the Season Strong
“The only way to succeed in basketball, is to give 100% all of the time.” – Kobe Bryant
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” – Jim Valvano
“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.” – John Wooden
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth
