Adam Anwar: Having Strong Faith
Adam Anwar: Having Strong Faith
At this point in his career, Adam has already put together an impressive list of accomplishments: All-County First-Team, Conference MVP, Illinois All-State recognition, and season averages of 20.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
But in my eyes, it’s his mindset and approach that stand out even more than the accolades. Learn more about how Adam turns training into results, has impressive faith, utilizes his ability to lead, as well as advice he would give to his younger self.
- - -
Turning Training Into Results
When performing at a high level is your goal, it’s important to understand everything that goes into it. The work you put in through training – whether it’s developing skills, building strength in the weight room, or sharpening your mental approach - should ultimately translate to the game.
The challenge many athletes face is putting in countless hours of work, but not always seeing that work show up when it matters.
Adam’s approach to training is a strong example of how to bridge that gap. For him, it starts with the atmosphere he creates during workouts. His reps and reads are designed to mirror the situations he actually faces in games.
He’s not just focused on developing his skills, he’s also intentional about building his confidence. He understands that confidence doesn’t magically appear on game day – it’s a continuous skill developed through consistent, purposeful work.
Bottom Line: When you step into the gym, focus on more than just skills. Visualize game situations, train at game speed, and make your workouts realistic. Over time this approach will not only make you more skilled, but carry over into live-game situations.
- - -
Having Faith In Yourself
In talking with Adam, one theme kept coming up: faith. It was clear how important it is to him, and hearing him explain it, you could see how thoughtful and mature his perspective is.
For Adam, faith isn’t a one-time thing, it’s a mindset. He knows believing in yourself doesn’t mean you won’t face setbacks, but it does mean you’ll be better prepared to handle them.
He also recognizes that confidence isn’t always steady. There will be tough games, but in those moments Adam leans on the preparation he’s put in and the trust he’s built in himself. That faith allows him to reset, stay grounded, and keep moving forward.
When asked about having faith in yourself, Adam put it this way:
“Faith in yourself isn’t just saying, ‘I’m going to make it’ or ‘I’m going to score this many points.’ Faith means knowing you can take the little steps, and having the confidence to take them to reach your goals. It’s night and day how success pans out when you have that faith versus when you don’t.”
When Adam talks about faith, he highlights one of the most important lessons for athletes: confidence can’t be tied only to results. True faith is built on the process, trusting that if you consistently take the small steps, the bigger goals will come.
Bottom Line: Don’t just set big goals. Have faith in the daily steps it takes to reach them. Success will follow belief and consistent work.
- - -
Leadership
Being a leader isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding roles an athlete can take on. Leadership lessons extend far beyond the court, shaping who you are as a person and the success you’ll carry with you later in life.
When Adam was pulled up to varsity as a freshman, he admitted he barely spoke for weeks.
Fast forward to now, and his outlook on leadership has completely changed. For him, leadership starts with recognizing your value to the team – regardless of role – and being willing to put the group first. It’s not about stats or accolades, but about how you work, how you show up each day, and how much you’re willing to sacrifice for your teammates.
That might mean stepping into an uncomfortable role, staying late after practice to rebound for a teammate, or setting the tone with your effort. Leadership isn’t about words, it’s about actions.
Adam’s growth in this area is a testament to his process. He’s embraced the small steps, trusted the work, and built his confidence not just as a player, but as a leader.
Bottom Line: Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about actions. Show up, serve your teammates, and put the team first. Everyone has the ability to lead, but few are willing to take on the responsibility.
- - -
Advice to His Younger Self
Reflection is an important part of growth. With the busy schedule athletes have, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of how far you’ve come.
For Adam, perspective comes from two things: his genuine love for basketball and his faith in God. Together, they allow him to see the bigger picture. Basketball isn’t everything to him, but he recognizes the opportunities it’s given him and finds joy in the small moments along the way.
It’s not that he “loves” the game more than others, it’s that his approach allows him to find deeper fulfillment in it.
When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Adam said:
“Have faith that you’re going to be able to create more positive moments than negative ones. You can always have a graph that trends up, it just depends on how much faith you have in yourself, your mindset, your work ethic, and your dedication.”
That idea of the ‘graph that can always trend up’ is a powerful one. You never know when your breakthrough moment will come – a big offer, a starting spot, or a stretch of wins, but you put yourself in position for it by continuing to trust the process and your ability.
- - -
Final Thoughts
Adam’s perspective isn’t impressive by accident, it’s the product of years of consistent work, faith, and intentional growth. His ability to stay present, show gratitude, and lead by example reflects not just the athlete he’s become, but the person as well.
