By Mason Waters

FULL VIDEO of this article

Players who can put first things first not only have an advantage in getting recruited, but they also become more mature people. Maturity is a very important thing.

In this two-part post, I explain 6 'first things' and describe some of their opposites. This article looks at the first three.

  • Long term growth ' Don't think where you are today is a sign of where you'll be tomorrow

You might be a very talented player today. Your natural gifts, size, and abilities may be greater than the average player. But, if you don't work hard and continue to grow over time, you are not going to end up as a good player. If you continue to work very hard over a long period of time then imagine how much better you can get!

One of the common tragedies in basketball is seeing a young talented player who thinks that because they are good in 8th grade then they will be great as a high school senior. Some of these kids get complacent and believe the lie that their success today will equal success tomorrow. That is not true.

On the other hand, you might just be an average player. Don't let being average make you believe you can't be great. Think about where you can be in the long term if you continue to work at basketball. Don't think tomorrow but think 6 months, one year, or even two years down the road.

One of the most inspiring stories in youth basketball are the stories of those kids who weren't particularly great as 8th, 9th, or 10th graders, but who worked extremely hard and developed physically to become great college level players, or even pros.

No matter where you are in your basketball career, think long-term. If you're already a good player, think about how great you can become months or years from now with hard work. If you're just an average or even bad player, think about how much you can improve over time. Don't get caught up in where you are today. Learn to value and think about long-term growth.

  • Competing over mixtapes

One of the most common things a lot of player want these days is a mixtape. I understand because we all like to look good, especially in an edited video. I don't have a problem with mixtapes. The problem with mixtapes arises when players get more concerned with mixtapes than with competing. After a game, do you get more excited about your possible mixtape or do you reflect upon how well you competed' Are you thinking about the music that will play on your mixtape or are you thinking about any scenarios in the game where you could have gotten one extra rebound or taken a charge'

If you want to be a college level player, or even a pro, or simply a great basketball player, place more value on competing than on your mixtape.

  • Winning over stats

What do you value more' Putting up numbers or on winning' There are many players who put up great numbers but don't know how to really win. Then there are players who put us less numbers but really know how to do whatever it takes to win. What is your mindset' Are you more concerned with your stats or are you more concerned with winning'

Where you are today is important. Mixtapes are not bad. And any great player is going to put up good stats. None of these things are bad. I would especially say that putting up big numbers and winning is a very good thing. But, just make sure you don't put second things, first. Put first things first, and you'll benefit because of it.

If you'd like to learn more on how to maximize your opportunities in recruiting, check out Coach'Mason's new book,''Recruited in Basketball: The Go-To Guide on Earning and Choosing the Best College Basketball Scholarship'.

Coach'Mason'Waters'has served with Phenom Hoop Report in the past and recently completed his first season as a NCAA Division 2 assistant coach.'