I am 5"7 and 14yrs old, I really do like basketball, do you think I have any chances of being in the NBA?
117738
I'll be frank with you: Don't bother unless you have a lot of scouts and college coaches hounding you right now. Most future pro players in any sport are usually spectacularly good at a young age. They show so much natural ability that even if they had an off-night, it would still carry them to a great game. If you find yourself singlehandedly blowing out basketball teams at the JV and Varsity level, there's a good chance you're going to the NBA. If you make basketball look easy, you're going to the NBA. If you're not painfully exceptional at your age, don't bother! Go study, learn a skill, it will pay off more than playing basketball all day trying to fulfill a stupid dream. I know people tell you not to give up your dream, blah blah blah, but come on. If you've ever coached young kids, you're well aware that there are rare exceptional talents that are born naturals, that learn fast.\n\nMoral of the story: Just play basketball for fun, and get your friends/teammates to do so too. Too many kids spoil a fun game because of the potential to make money in the NBA. My friends had such bad attitudes about basketball, and it ended up so that none of them even played community college ball. Unless the local newspaper is going gaga over you, don't even begin to get dreams of the NBA. Hard facts, have fun man...\n\nMight I suggest investing more time into football, baseball or maybe even soccer if you're not going to be tall? Basketball is a very size-discriminatory sport!
102663
Lots of work, start at the YMCA Level, then High School, then college, then talk to the NBA Commish, and maybe ur'll get ur chance.
730565
Don't let anyone controll what you want to do. You can make it! work hard and play as much basketball as possible.
585740
Sure.  And I think that if you are successful, that would make you even more of an overall success because of the height disadvantage.  Having to dribble around people who are heavier and just as fast as you while having to shoot over them has to be harder than a 7 foot freak who barely needs to jump to dunk.  All the more power to ya!
352945
"Bump" to that!!! I practically grew up dribbling; and basketball is the ONLY sport I'll follow and play! The NBA playoffs? Haven't missed a game! Gotta love it...! =)
276351
Well, first of all, you have to be good at basketball, very good.  Once you've nailed that "small" requirement, the rest comes easily.
919786
I think you will be alright.  You might talk to a Dr. about it, but I think you pretty much are stuck with whatever nature gives you.  \nI know there are orthopedic surgery solutions to being a dwarf, but I don't believe anyone having surgery like that could ever play basketball.  Besides at your height, no decent Dr. would operate on your legs anyway!\nBut do not despair!  When I got my learner's permit at age 16, I was 6 foot 1 inch.  By age 18 years, I was 6 foot 3 inches.  I grew 2 inches between ages 16 and 18.  AND you are two years younger than that!\nI think it will be close, but you might not make it.  Take up Baseball as well, just in case.  Fast athletes are in demand in that sport as well.
792770
Deffinatly play!  Number one it shows great detication, which will help for next year.  Also it will help you improve, you can't get any better if you just give up because your friends arn't on the team.  In my middle school for modified basketball we have an A and  B team and I was put onto the B team, and I hated it!  But I stuck thought it and played, and now I'm a starting point guard on my Highschool Varsity team.  So deffinatly stick with it no matter what, if you love the sport just practice a lot.
931878
That would be the 7'6" Yao Ming. Have fun at your first game!
612743
u should have fun and make friends. Some pointers might be learn how to shoot right and just practice. And if u dont start its okay u might as well have fun. It depends on ur height. If ur tall center or powerforward. if ur medium height small forward or shooting guard. if u are short u play point guard. It all depends on how tall u are u can email me at buckswillmakeplayoffs@yahoo.com if u need more pointers
183299
Maybe you could try browsing the sports section of a newspaper, see an interview on a sports figure.\n\nHow about go to www.ask.com and put that exact sentence in "Why I like basketball" and see what comes up.  You might be surprised at what you will find, could be most helpful.\n\nGood luck.
29906
If you play basketball now and want to play in college, talk to your coach about some possibilities.  Then, I would say to go see your guidance counselor.  They are there to help you and to provide information.
556829
I Know....I'm only 5'3" and i can get rim....i can't dunk though, but here are some helpful tips:\nGet Spud Webb's instructional dunk workout teqniques video, workout a lot, Be able to palm the ball, jump with tecnique, get shoes that make you jump higher.....lol\n\nI'm am an A.I. FAN LIKE YOU AND I HAVE ANSWERED ALL YOUR QUESTIONS!!!
782909
One suggestion is, If you don't want to be on the team, you could do badly in try-outs and not make it. \nIs it that you just don't like basketball, or you don't like sports at all? Maybe if you played another sport, they would be ok with it. Or, join another activity and get involved. Your parents just may want you to find a hobby, and they may think that basketball is the best one for you. If you can show them that you are dedicated to another activity/sport, I'm sure they will understand. Good luck!
877858
Unfortunatly my friend you can't gain height, you are only 15 so that means you may still be growing, you can strenghthen your bones by drinking milk, Vitamin D promotes bone health and that is the only thing I can think of to help you reach your maximum height potential....also since you are still young you should be working on your game instead of your height, I would work on my off hand as much as I could, and your handles, you are ideal height for a point guard right now but you may grow into a shooting guard and maybe fwd. Just concentrate on your game and the rest will take care of itself.
504563
I am 6 5 ft and I remember time I grew the most was at age of 18, 19 when I was playing basketball a lot. I don't know how old are you and if this helps but you never know.
884454
not even that....look at some of the foreign athletes that have been in the NBA.....like the 7' plus tall ones..... just need some coordination and height.