Top 6 Basketball Quotes to Inspire your Team

We know that staying motivated over the course of a long basketball season can be a challenge. If you and your team are experiencing some mental and physical fatigue it's important to remain focused on your season goals, hold each other accountable, and help motivate each other.

To help, we've found some of our favorite basketball quotes from NBA/WNBA players and Hall of Fame Coaches who've faced adversity, competed at the highest level, and ultimately won championships.

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." -John Wooden

John Wooden is the only coach to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach and a player. During his time at UCLA he won more National Championships than any other coach in the history of basketball. This quote is a great reminder for teams that all the game wins and losses are fleeting moments and there is always something more to work towards. 

Teamwork is what makes common people capable of uncommon results" -Pat Summitt 

Pat Summitt made a record setting 31-consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and won 8 NCAA National Championships and finished second 5 times. 

Basketball is like war in that offensive weapons are developed first, and it always takes a while for the defense to catch up" -Red Auerbach

Red Auerbach won 9 NBA Championship Championships while coaching the Boston Celtics. He was known for utilizing fast break offense as a weapon. Many of his players have gone on to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships" -Michael Jordan

This is a great reminder for teams from Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He has won 6 championships with the Bulls, was named Finals MVP all 6 times and a 14-time All-Star. 

The important thing is that your teammates have to know you're really pulling for them and you really want them to be success." -Kobe Bryant

Selflessness is one of the most important parts of team success and building team camaraderie! Kobe won 5 NBA Championships, was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. 

"What's so special about this team is that we all the same mentality this sort of, 'we've been knocked down, let's get back up' mentality" -Candace Parker

Candace and her team were aligned with the same mentality and goals they were chasing after, which allowed them to overcome challenges and ultimately see success. Candace was the first overall draft pick in 2008, a 6-time WNBA All-Star, WNBA Defensive Player of the year, and the first WNBA player to win both rookie and most valuable player in the same season.

Share these quotes with your team and teammates to get inspired and ready to seize the moment as playoffs and championships approach!