We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrew Roberti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andrew, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
As a former basketball player and now basketball coach, I hear the word “confident” or “confidence” thrown around almost daily. “My son is struggling with his confidence.” “My daughter is lacking the confidence to dribble the ball.” “The coach doesn’t instill confidence in his players.” “Stephen Curry is in a shooting funk and playing with zero confidence.”
The game of basketball is all about confidence. If you are a confident player, then you are playing your best game. When you shoot the ball with confidence, it feels as if the rim is as big as the ocean and you can’t miss! When you are dribbling the ball with confidence, it feels like no one can guard you. When a coach or parent instills confidence, it encourages you to play your best. When you’re a confident team, you get on the court with a different kind of swagger. Confidence is a priceless drug and when you get it…you want more of it. I love what you’re saying coach but I don’t know how to get this “confidence” you speak of. What do I need to do? How do I get out of this funk and get my confidence back? Ears perk up expecting a quick fix like you hold the magic pill that will suddenly cure everything. I lean in and tell them, “confidence comes from how you practice & prepare.” That’s exactly how I got to where I am today. But there’s something else and His name is Jesus.
“Confidence” is a fundamental principle of basketball that translates to any profession or life in general. Usually the confident people are the ones that put in the time. I often ask kids the question, do you “like” the game of basketball or do you LOVE the game of basketball? There’s a big difference. When I love something, I want to be with it all the time. It’s on my mind 24/7. It makes me do crazy things. There’s an old saying, “Love is spelled T-I-M-E.” You want to get your confidence back? You have to do MORE! You need to put MORE time in. You need to put MORE repetitions in. Your work ethic must be second to none.
While practice and preparation are important, your confidence will eventually wear off. It doesn’t matter who you are. Not everyone will play with confidence every game. Not everyone will have the spark 24/7. We all have good days and we all have bad days. That’s life. But here’s the good news: everything changed for me when I stopped searching for this confidence and understood that my confidence comes from a life surrendered to Jesus Christ.
Living a life surrendered to Jesus requires selflessness. Although I am the CEO of Won Shot, this business is about serving kids both on and off the court. Whether it’s a high five, a hug, an encouraging word, or a shoulder to cry on, I know I am using my abilities to inspire kids and glorify God.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Born & raised in the 954. I was a kid with the crazy dream of playing in the NBA. Being the next MJ, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady. “Eat, sleep, & breathe basketball” pretty much sums up my childhood. I kept that same energy until I was 26 years old when my dream of creating an all-encompassing basketball training facility manifested. In 2016, Won Shot Basketball Academy was born with one mission in mind – develop young men and women ON & OFF the court. Won Shot Basketball Academy is a Christian based basketball business. Won Shot Basketball training is built on a system called the four S’s – Strength, Speed, Spirit, and Skill. When players possess all four characteristics, we believe they’re able to tap into their full basketball potential.
•Strength integrates upper body, lower body, and core strength training as well as mental toughness development.
•Speed encompasses quickness, agility, explosive power, vertical jump, and defense.
•Spirit embodies faith in Jesus Christ. Confidence and belief in yourself/your abilities, basketball IQ, and performance under pressure are also vital.
•Skill includes shooting, dribbling, finishing at the rim, creating space, and 1 on 1 scoring.
The goal is to build a tough, well-rounded, fundamentally sound basketball player. Someone who can not only represent himself, his team, and his family well but also someone who represents Jesus Christ.
I tell people all the time that Won Shot Basketball Academy is not in the basketball business. Instead, we are in the relationship business. Our mission field is the basketball court. As coaches, we have the opportunity to positively influence and love kids. To be a father figure to a child who may not have a father. To be a role model or a real-life superhero to a kid who may be shy or doesn’t fit in. To provide a high five, a loving hug, a word of advice, an encouraging smile or a laugh. That’s the reason why I get up & work every day. I believe that is why God put me on this planet. Some of the most gratifying moments as a coach don’t even come on the court. It means the world to me when little Emily practices her skills for 20 minutes at home or when I get to watch Jeremiah walk across his high school graduation stage.
I’ve come to realize that teaching players the game of basketball is not enough. Basketball eventually comes to an end at some point and time. As coaches, our greatest joy comes from teaching our athletes about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our WHY. Basketball is the platform we have to showcase Him. We showcase Him by how we conduct ourselves not only on the court but off of it. Kids are not only coached on competitiveness, work ethic, preparation, and discipline, but also kindness, teamwork, and respect. As a coach, the thing you are always most proud of is when a trainee writes to you and tells you how much you’ve changed their life.
As a business, my proudest moment was working alongside Dwyane Wade, my favorite basketball player, at his summer camp (2018, 2019). In 2022, Won Shot Basketball Academy had similar opportunities working alongside 20 year Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem and starting point guard Tyler Herro at their separate basketball camps. Moving forward, our main goal is to come alongside and serve other Christian organizations.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Love God. 2. Serve others.
3. Work hard.
Gather around and huddle up, here’s my coaches talk. Seek a church. Seek Godly, christian relationships. Seek like-minded businessmen/women. READ…a lot…and listen to podcasts! Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I always thought, “if so-&-so can do it, why can’t I?” It’s possible! I had zero business experience, which means I learned on the fly. Business is hard, but it’s about getting 1% better every day. Persevere and fight for your business.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Leadership Not by the Book: 12 Unconventional Principles to Drive Incredible Results – by David Greene (CEO of Hobby Lobby) and Bill High.
As a Christian business owner, I’m constantly looking for Christian businessmen to model myself after. Christian businesses like Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby have proved its MORE THAN possible to thrive in the world while glorifying Christ and operating with biblically based principles & morals. These are two of the most successful businesses in the world. What is their secret sauce? A lot of it has to do with customer service (a.k.a. serving & loving others), but the foundation starts with Christ.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wonshotba.com
- Instagram: @wonshotba
- Facebook: Won Shot Basketball Academy
- Linkedin: Andrew Roberti
- Youtube: Won Shot Basketball Academy
Image Credits
@richhoops954
