The story of Michael Jordan not making the varsity team when he was a sophomore is a well-known story in the sports world. Jordan said that the team was already stacked, but he felt like he was good enough to contribute. He had to play JV all season, and even after averaging 26 or 27 points a game, Coach Pop Herring still didn’t move him up to the varsity when the JV season ended like he had done for other JV players in the past.

Instead of transferring or quitting, MJ just kept pushing and working. He was allowed to travel to the varsity games, but he had to either pay for a ticket or carry the jerseys to get in the games.

COACH HERRING WAS THE FIRST ONE TO SEE IN ME
WHAT I SAW IN MYSELF.

Over the course of the season, MJ would work out with his coach every morning at 6:30. They would work on shooting, ball-handling, and play 1 on 1 for an hour before school. MJ’s coach made a big poster with all of the drills listed, and they would go through them every day. He said that most days he enjoyed it, but some days he didn’t feel like going. Those were the days that his coach had to push him.

MOST DAYS I ENJOYED IT.
SOME DAYS I DIDN’T FEEL LIKE GOING.
BUT THOSE WERE THE DAYS COACH HERRING WOULD PUSH ME.

Jordan said that as he got better, his confidence grew. He said that he was like a sponge, and when he got a glimpse of what success looked like, his blood started rushing. All he wanted to do was to improve and get better.

The process is tough. It is full of ups and downs. But the one thing that has to be consistent is the work ethic. Michael Jordan and his coach created a plan. They had a set time, and they had a list of drills. Set your goals, create your own plan, and execute. And find someone who can hold you accountable and push you when you need to be pushed and pull you when you need to be pulled.