What Playground Basketball Taught Us About Life & Leadership w/ Dereck Whittenburg

Lessons you'll carry with you your entire life are often learned on playground basketball courts. Skills like strength, determination, leadership, confidence, building relationships, even swagger can come from grinding it out with other players looking to mark their territory - whether that be to reach the game's greatest heights or stand out as the king or queen of their neighborhood.

Today, many young people are missing out on valuable lessons simply because they aren't partaking in these types of activities. The act of grabbing a ball and getting together with your friends for a pickup game at the park has been replaced with video games and digital connection - a major disconnect from forging the lifelong connections in-person connectivity can deliver.

In this episode of The Rebound, I am thrilled to be joined by my long-time friend and cross-state rival, Dereck Whittenburg. Dereck played a crucial role in the epic NCAA Championship run the NC State Wolfpack had in 1982-1983. His role as time was about to expire in the final game against Houston led to one of the most memorable sports moments of our time - a moment that still fuels conversations and inspires people today.

In this in-depth conversation, Dereck and I reminisce about times past - coming up on the courts in our respective playgrounds in DC/Maryland and New York City, competing at a championship level in the collegiate level, reaching the professional level of the game we love, and coaching aspiring young talent to unlock the greatest version of themselves.

You'll also learn more about Dereck's new book, "The Shot Heard Around the World: How I Went From The Playground to The White House," as well as some of the life and leadership lessons Dereck and I still utilize to this day that came to us because of our time pounding the pavement in our younger years.

Key Takeaways

• The fundamental skills you learn playing playground basketball will carry on throughout your entire life - unfortunately, too many kids aren't gaining this precious experience today
• Overcoming fear is a critical skill that's necessary in the world of sport, as well as personal and professional pursuits
• You gain respect from your peers by showing them you have the courage to leverage your abilities, even if you're in an environment that's not ideal
• Transparency + Truth = Trust --- We were coached by men who instilled this in us. Surround yourself with people willing to be transparent and truthful. They're the ones you can trust

Click here to pick up a copy of Dereck's book, The Shot Heard Around the World: How I Went From The Playground to The White House

To learn more about booking Coach Matt Doherty to speak at your next event or help you elevate your leadership game, visit dohertycoaching.com today.