INTEGRITY: Who You Are When No One’s Watching

As part of our ongoing series on the WE acronym STRIVE, which stands for Sacrifice, Trust, Relentless, Integrity, Vision, and Excellence, we now arrive at the letter I for INTEGRITY.

At Hoops World Elite, we believe that integrity is one of the most important qualities a basketball player can have. It’s not about how you act when the crowd is cheering or the cameras are rolling. It’s about what you do when no one is watching.

Integrity means doing the right thing, every time—even when it’s hard. It means following the rules, listening to your coaches, and giving your best effort in every drill. It means being honest with yourself about your strengths and your weaknesses, and it means treating teammates, referees, and opponents with respect.

NBA legend Kawhi Leonard is a great example of integrity. He doesn’t say much, he doesn’t show off, and he doesn’t seek attention. But he shows up. He works hard. He defends the best players, takes smart shots, and puts the team first. Coaches trust him. Teammates rely on him. Why? Because he always does the right thing. He lets his game—and his character—do the talking.

Another example is Jrue Holiday. Known around the league as one of the most respected players, Jrue plays tough defense, makes unselfish plays, and leads by example. Off the court, he’s active in his community, supports social causes, and gives back. He’s a reminder that great basketball players are great people, too.

At Hoops World Elite, we teach that basketball is more than a game—it’s a way to build habits that shape your future. Integrity off the court leads to trust on the court. If your coach sees you showing up early, helping teammates, and hustling in every drill, you’ll earn playing time. And more importantly, you’ll earn respect.

Integrity also means admitting when you’re wrong. If you miss a defensive assignment or turn the ball over, own it. Then fix it. That shows maturity. That shows leadership.

When you cheat drills, don’t give full effort, or blame others, you might think no one notices. However, the truth is that those habits eventually catch up to you. Unfortunately, they show up when it matters most—at the end of a close game, in a big tournament, or a key moment in life.

So, how do you build integrity?

1. Show up on time and ready to go.

2. Follow through on what you say.

3. Be honest about mistakes - and learn from them.

4. Treat others with respect, even when you’re frustrated.

5. Do your best every day, not just when it’s easy.

When you build integrity, you become someone coaches can count on, teammates can trust, and opponents respect.

And long after your last game, those same habits will help you succeed in school, work, relationships, and life.

Because when it comes to basketball and life, how you do anything is how you do everything. Let integrity be your foundation.