TRUST: Believe in the Process and Each Other

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 T for TRUST.

Basketball is a team game. And the best teams are built on trust.

At Hoops World Elite, we teach our players that trust is more than just a word. It’s something you build—step by step, practice by practice, game by game.

First, you have to trust the process. That means understanding there’s a reason behind every drill, every substitution, every tough practice. Coaches make decisions not just to win games, but to help you and your team grow. Even if you don’t start right away or get the most minutes, trust that your time will come if you put in the work to continue to improve.

Second, you have to trust your teammates. When you pass the ball, you trust they’ll catch it. When you help on defense, you trust they’ll rotate to cover your man. When someone messes up, you trust they’ll bounce back. That kind of trust doesn’t just happen. It’s built through communication, effort, and shared goals.

Third, we teach our coaches to trust their players. That’s why we don’t micromanage every move. Instead, we focus on teaching fundamentals and game IQ. When players understand why they’re doing something, they make better decisions. And we trust them to make the right play in the moment.

A team that trusts each other passes more. Helps more. Celebrates more. And wins more.

But trust doesn’t mean always agreeing. It means knowing that everyone’s doing their best for the good of the team. Even during mistakes, even during losses, even during tough practices.

One of the best examples of trust in basketball is the relationship between Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. These three stars have led the Golden State Warriors to multiple NBA championships, not just because of their talent, but also because they trust each other deeply. They understand their roles. They share the ball. They sacrifice stats for wins. And when things go wrong, they hold each other accountable—without breaking that bond of trust.

Another great example? Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks' coaching staff trusted him to develop at his own pace. And Giannis trusted the team enough to stay, improve, and grow into a two-time MVP and NBA champion. That kind of mutual trust built a winning culture.

So if you ever feel unsure, remember this: trust is the glue that holds great teams together. And once you build it, you’ll never want to play without it.

At Hoops World Elite, we trust our players to work hard, play smart, and support one another. That’s what makes us different. That’s what makes us great.