NBA Coach’s 15 Top Player Qualities

Since Aaron Gordon was chosen on Thursday night by the Orlando Magic, we thought it was a perfect time to re-run a list of the 15 Qualities For Being A Great Basketball Player written by current Orlando head coach Jacque Vaughn when he was a sophomore at Muir of Pasadena nearly 25 years ago.

For NBA Draft recap of California players, CLICK HERE.

Jacque Vaughn became the head coach of the Orlando Magic in July of 2012 after serving as an assistant at San Antonio. Vaughn previously played in the NBA for 12 years as a point guard and before that was an All-American at Kansas.

Photo: Orlando Magic.

In talking to Vaughn at the time, we discovered he had written up his own list of 15 qualities for being a great basketball player. We ran them in the mag and have always thought players of today in all sports could relate.

Jacque Vaughn’s 15 Qualities For Being A Great Basketball Player

1. You must have the burning desire to win.
2. You must make school first and foremost for you to gain an education.
3. You need to have the courage to push yourself to the limit of your scholastic abilities.
4. You have to prepare yourself physically and maintain top physical condition throughout the year.
5. You are a team player and glorify the team in any victory.
6. You are bitterly disappointed by defeat, but react to it by displaying a more determined effort and resolve.
7. You must learn your assignments thoroughly – both in basketball and in school.
8. You are more relentless than your opponents, retain greater poise and take advantage of any breaks that your opponents may provide.
9. You never quit, never admit defeat and play every play as if it is the crucial one of the game.
10. You must work on your weaknesses every day.
11. You are willing to make sacrifices involving limited social activities, and ahere to all training regulations.
12. You have the intent to come off the court a better player after every game or practice.
13. You need to develop regular study habits and prepare your assignments accurately and on time.
14. You must hustle all the time.
15. Repeat of first quality. You must have the burning desire to win.

Good luck to Coach Vaughn and Aaron Gordon next season.