Keanu was the kind of hoopaholic who would get his schoolwork done early and spend hours at the court working on his shot and his moves. Every day. He played with Josh Burnett (Maryknoll) on an AAU team when they were eighth graders, but the rest of the time he was at Thunder practices, catching the bus sometimes from Kailua. He and Josh were even back then. I think if Keanu — who is now 6-foot-3 — had stayed in Hawaii, he might have become the state player of the year. Instead, it was Josh, who grew to be 6-4.
He just returned from a visit to a school in San Diego. Here's what he wrote.
I think, personally, it's all about culture. You've said it yourself that when the team is together (no matter what age level) you guys are good, that's not exactly a coincidence. That's a result of camaraderie, chemistry, and a will to play a role on a TEAM. If the culture around the program is "I don't want to miss practice because I don't want to let this team down" vs. "I can miss practice because it's just this one time" the whole mindset of everything changes. I understand the pool that you get to pick from is small but I think when new kids come in there has to be that culture set that look, I'm not askin you to go to the NBA, but understand that being good at basketball can LITERALLY get you and education in college. It can help you travel the country and get a head start on life!
Not many people truly understand what it takes to play at the college level, the hard work and the playing on birthdays and the late-night shooting sessions right after Thanksgiving.... It's all motivation and culture. And I KNOW how dedicated you are so I feel like setting that culture up again, while challenging, is easily achievable for all the Thunder programs. I remember how hard it is to get everyone together for a practice there so it can be a problem but I feel like if you want to be there, you will. And all it takes is one person, one teammate that kind of holds people accountable, one captain if you will.
I literally can't wait personally to come help you guys out when I come in June and play a little bit haha.
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I think, personally, it's all about culture. You've said it yourself that when the team is together (no matter what age level) you guys are good, that's not exactly a coincidence. That's a result of camaraderie, chemistry, and a will to play a role on a TEAM. If the culture around the program is "I don't want to miss practice because I don't want to let this team down" vs. "I can miss practice because it's just this one time" the whole mindset of everything changes. I understand the pool that you get to pick from is small but I think when new kids come in there has to be that culture set that look, I'm not askin you to go to the NBA, but understand that being good at basketball can LITERALLY get you and education in college. It can help you travel the country and get a head start on life!
Not many people truly understand what it takes to play at the college level, the hard work and the playing on birthdays and the late-night shooting sessions right after Thanksgiving.... It's all motivation and culture. And I KNOW how dedicated you are so I feel like setting that culture up again, while challenging, is easily achievable for all the Thunder programs. I remember how hard it is to get everyone together for a practice there so it can be a problem but I feel like if you want to be there, you will. And all it takes is one person, one teammate that kind of holds people accountable, one captain if you will.
I literally can't wait personally to come help you guys out when I come in June and play a little bit haha.
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