Basketball is one of the most played games in the world. It’s a favorite among students, especially with those at college levels, as multiple tertiary institutions own student basketball teams. The game’s importance to students’ lives isn’t just limited to entertainment as it extends to also provide them with multiple other benefits, which include the following.
Health Benefits
Improved Fitness Levels
Indulging in a game of basketball after school hours as an amateur or a college athlete can improve your fitness levels. Often one finds that during the periods when scholars have free time at home, most tend to indulge in habits that don’t contribute to their fitness levels. They spend the bulk of their time indulging in activities such as watching the television, playing computer games, or chat away on social media. All of which burn little or no calories.
A student who is an active basketball player tends to make better health decisions and avoids indulging in risky exercises. Much of this improved judgment comes from the fact that such an individual looks to maintain or improve their physical fitness to play the beautiful game. They eat healthier foods, exercise regularly, and avoid indulging in pranks that could result in bodily harm.
Builds a Healthier Heart
Playing basketball means you get to indulge in the form of aerobic exercise. You perform actions that contribute to cardiovascular training and improved endurance. The game helps you build a healthier heart and improves your immunity to heart disease and conditions such as stroke.
Mental Benefits
Develop a Great Self Esteem
Playing basketball can make you feel good about yourself and help build positive self-esteem. Basketball is a game that instills the value of determination and perseverance in achieving success in its players. For a student, these traits are essential to handle challenging tasks and difficult situations in and outside academic life. Playing basketball puts you in different scenarios, some of which the odds are stacked against you. Players learn how to function and handle pressure without drastic implications in their performances.
Instills the Value of Teamwork
Basketball is a team sport in which players have to work together to achieve success. A model student isn’t just excellent in learning but must also be admirable. Students must learn the benefits of accomplishing tasks as a team as opposed to trying to carry them out as a single unit.
Basketball exposes students to situations where they have to learn discipline and obedience to an authority figure. The team coaches play the role of the authority figures as they provide students with and instructions and guidance to success. Students also get to enjoy a first-hand experience at leadership. They get to lead the team as captains and hone this trait for application in their lives.
Helps you Destress
Students are prone to experiencing high-stress levels as they look to successfully navigate the tasks and objectives academic institutions throw at them. Different tutors have students working on multiple projects and assignments through online aids save the day as they help students reduce the workload. Many UK students often employ the internet to seek out the help of the best assignment writers UK can offer. The sources of stress for scholars isn’t limited to just academics but also extends to include social and personal tasks.
Basketball helps create an avenue for students to relieve themselves of the built-up stress that comes with being a student. This subsequently leads to a sound mind and an improved work rate.
Social Benefits
Popularity in School
Students who are good at basketball tend to enjoy a high level of popularity in school, a scenario which tends to increase in tertiary institutions. They get to make friends easily and have great communication skills.
You can Become a Professional Athlete
Students who play basketball don’t just have the opportunity to play on the school team but can also go on to become professional athletes. Most of the NBA stars started as college students playing the beautiful game at the college level before bursting into stardom.
Making New Friends and Experiencing New Cultures
Having to play basketball as a student opens you up to the possibilities of making new friends and experiencing a new culture. Sports is widely considered as a universal language as it brings individuals of different cultures and backgrounds together to enjoy a beautiful game. Basketball is a team sport that encourages teamwork and creates special moments. Both of which are vital ingredients to making long-lasting friendships.
Students also have the chance to visit and explore new cultures when they take on other basketball teams in away matches. This provides them with knowledge and experience on how to interact with others and tolerate other people’s cultures. Thereforeб impacting social skills, which are vital to achieving success upon graduation.
Academic Benefits
Keep Your Grades Up
Keeping your grades up is a prerequisite for college athletes. The educational institution mandates that its athletes are to maintain a certain CGPA score or risk being dropped from the school team. To help out some educational institutions set up programs, draw up regulations, and have extra classes or private tutors to help their athletes have a sound educational background.
A Chance at a Scholarship
College athletes have the chance to get scholarships to educational institutions with college basketball teams. America struggles to combat the ever-increasing rate of student loan debts as it threatens to run rampant in the economy. In recent years, the student loan debts have been at an all time high, with nations struggling to keep the situation at bay.
The cost of getting a college education doesn’t end with tuition fees alone, students have to tackle the cost of feeding, textbooks, accommodation, and multiple other expenses. With student loans offering a quick fix, many scholars fall into the temptation of incurring student loans and its long term financial implications.
Due to the high cost of education, many students have to take on after school jobs. A situation that sees them working late into the night and getting too exhausted to study at the end of the day. Playing basketball in college gives you the chance to get a scholarship, which helps you to deal with the cost of tertiary institutions.
Final Thoughts
The round game is a source of entertainment for students while also providing multiple benefits to them. It helps them maintain high physical fitness and instills vital traits such as leadership, communication, and concentration skills. Basketball also helps individuals maintain good grades and provides one with a shot at financial benefits. It’s a game students would do well to participate in both during and after their academic year.
