Hudson Scroggins: Enjoying the Process
Hudson Scroggins: Enjoying the Process
Hudson Scroggins, a Valparaiso commit heading into this upcoming high school season with Kimball Union, shares his perspective on what it means to be a great teammate, how to perform at a high level while still enjoying the process, and how to evaluate your game during the offseason.
Hudson has built an impressive résumé early in his career, already surpassing 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in high school, earning 2x all-conference and all-state honors, and attracting multiple Division 1 offers. His journey is a reflection of the habits and mindset that continue to push him forward.
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Being a Good Teammate
One thing that stood out when speaking to Hudson was the fact that he frequently mentioned his teammates. Being a Division I commit, it would be very easy to only speak about himself. But when asked about how he found his confidence, he referenced having good teammates who believed in him. When asked about advice he’d give to younger players, he spoke about doing things outside of basketball with your teammates and the importance of forming those bonds.
Simply put, these are the types of people you love to play with. And it’s something that all of us are capable of doing.
The basketball season can be long at times. That stretch from November to March can be a grueling five months. When talking about how to keep the motivation and energy high throughout the season, Hudson spoke on the importance of bringing energy to practice. He and his teammates consistently treated each practice like it was their last. They took it upon themselves to create an atmosphere that pushed one another to get better.
In addition to that, we talked about playing on talented teams. Whether it was his Lake Forest, Fundamental U, or future Kimball Union (New Hampshire) prep team – Hudson has been a part of some impressive rosters. Here’s a quote that came to mind when speaking about sharing the floor with talent:
“I just try and always let the game come to me. I can’t force a shot just because I haven’t scored in 5 minutes. I try and always make the right read. If my teammates are open, then I give it to them. If I’m open, I expect them to give it to me.”
While it sounds simple, it’s an impressive approach to the game. Not only has it helped him perform at a high level in his career so far, but this same mindset undoubtedly will help him thrive at the next level.
BOTTOM LINE: Good players are good teammates. Go the extra mile for your teammates and they’ll do the same for you. It’s something we’re all capable of, but it often gets overlooked.
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Enjoying the Process
At a young age, basketball is often played with a lot of excitement and joy. It’s why so many of us have fallen in love with the game. Although, as athletes move through their careers, that excitement and joy often get pushed aside. Playing on higher stages, dealing with new roles on teams, and working your way through the ranks can be a challenging process. Players often focus so much on how they are performing and what is going “right” for them that they forget to enjoy the process altogether.
Hudson made it a point that he always tries to keep things light in intense moments. Whether it’s a tough practice or before a big matchup, he always tries to keep emotions positive while staying loose. This can be seen as cracking jokes with his teammates, or just simply tossing the ball around pregame. While this can be tough for some, it’s just who he is as a player. And there’s no doubt it helps him not only perform well, but the rest of the team as well.
This can also be seen in his response to the question regarding how he deals with performances that aren’t his best:
“You’ve got to have a short memory. Whether you play well or terribly, you have to be able to have a short memory and be willing to get back in the gym the next day.”
This reinforces that same idea. Hudson enjoys basketball, and he isn’t going to let one performance, good or bad, dictate how he feels about the game.
BOTTOM LINE: The best part of the journey isn’t the destination, but the journey itself. Take time to enjoy it instead of getting lost in the challenges.
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Evaluating Your Game
To perform at a high level, it often takes a certain level of honesty with yourself—understanding not only your ability but also where you have the opportunity to improve.
When going into the offseason, Hudson has a clear plan: playing in live game situations, wherever it may be, so he can get as many game-like reps as possible. In doing this, he goes into the gym with a specific focus. He uses these opportunities to expand his game, always trying to add to his current ability.
After getting these reps in, he takes the time to reflect on how it went, further looking into what worked and what didn’t. With these new thoughts in mind, he then goes in the next day and gets more reps.
This process, while seemingly simple, is quite effective. It clearly translates to his ability on the floor and his impact in games.
BOTTOM LINE: Be honest with yourself. If you want to improve your game, use the offseason to your advantage. Understand what you need to work on and find ways to get live reps.
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For athletes looking to improve their mental performance, Hudson’s story is a reminder that competing and playing at a high level doesn’t have to be separate from enjoying the game. Have a short memory, create lasting connections, and simply play your hardest.
