Basketball has become one of the most popular and competitive sports in the US over the past several decades. It’s to the point where, if you want to play the sport with any level of competitiveness, you need to start learning almost as soon as you can walk!
Even high school basketball has become a spectacle of its own, drawing in huge crowds to watch 14- and 15-year-olds dunk and pull off professional-level plays. If you’re someone who has yet to learn the game, it makes you wonder: at what age is it too late to start playing basketball?
At what age is it too late to start playing basketball? There is no maximum age to play basketball. Whether you are looking to play in a recreational league, or have your sights set on going pro, you can start at any age.
The short answer is that it’s never too late to start. The long answer is a bit more complicated, and really depends on what you’re looking to achieve.
Is It Too Late To Start Playing Basketball: Competitive Aspirations
This question can be extremely subjective and really depends on several factors: Are you looking to play recreationally or competitively? What level of competition are you striving for (ex. high school team, college, NBA)? Are you willing to spend any money on improving your game? The list of considerations goes on and on, but hopefully we can help you identify exactly what you are trying to achieve, and how you can go about achieving it.
Are There Any NBA Players Who Started Playing Basketball Late?
Before we get into how you can start learning and improving your basketball skills as quickly as possible, it might be helpful to look at some of the anomalies who were able to make it to the sport’s biggest stage after getting a late start.
| NBA Player | Age When Starting Basketball |
| Dennis Rodman | 15-16 years old |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 17 years old |
Dennis Rodman is arguably the most prominent of these individuals. Standing at only 5’6” his freshman year of high school (15-16 years old), he claims that he wasn’t even able to make a layup. Although he did play for his high school basketball team, he had been benched or cut on multiple occasions. He was drafted into the NBA in 1986 when he was 25 years old, giving him a much later start in the league than many other players.
Dikembe Mutombo is another well-known NBA legend who got a late start to the game. At 17 years old, Dikembe picked up a basketball for the first time, and wasn’t even a fan of the sport initially. He was also drafted to the NBA when he was 25, and is now hailed as one of the greatest defensive players in history.
How Long Does It Take To Get Good At Basketball?
From the players highlighted above, you can see that even getting a late start to playing basketball doesn’t necessarily hinder your ability to play at a high caliber. Although genetics can have an influence on how successful you can be, skill will always be the outright winner in a competition of performance (we’re looking at you, Muggsy Bogues).
Firstly, it is important to identify your definition of “good at basketball”. It can range from knowing how to dribble fluidly with both hands or shooting 3-pointers, to reading defenses and making on-the-fly plays to drive to the net.
Fundamentals To Getting Good At Basketball
Mastering the fundamentals of the game is key to excelling in any of the aforementioned abilities, so we’ve created a list of some core aspects to focus on when learning to play. You can also check out this YouTube video which demonstrates how you can do some of these exercises.
1.Ball handling
Basketball requires you to run, cut, spin, and jump all while being able to maintain control of the ball. Being able to properly dribble and maintain ball handles at all times will be a huge driver in your success as a player.
You can work on this by alternating your hands as you dribble while walking and running. Adding in some lateral movement will also help you keep control of the ball when shifting around the court. Dribbling the ball while your hand hits the ball in different positions will allow you to instinctively learn how to maintain control of the ball when moving it around different areas of your body.
2.Shooting Drills
Repetition and consistency are your best friends in basketball. Developing muscle memory in any sport allows you to better respond to in-game situations without hesitating or losing control of the ball.
Start by simply taking shots from the free throw line and 3-point line, and gradually move to taking mid-range and pull-up jumpers.
3.Playing Real Games
Drills are probably the second-best approach you can take to improve, right behind playing an actual game of basketball. For your skills to translate from drills to the actual court, you need to be playing as many games as you can.
This falls in line with our discussion of muscle memory in the sense that playing actual games will help you react with less hesitation and better accuracy as you play more and more.
How Can I Improve My Basketball Skills Quickly?
There are a few ways to help quickly improve your basketball skills. Below are some of the best ways to do so:
- Have a good mentor or guide
- Easy access to basketball resources
- Study professional players
Have A Good Mentor Or Guide
Besides practicing drills and frequently playing in actual games, the other aspects of getting good quickly focus a lot on mentoring and coaching. If you are in middle school or high school and have a school basketball team, this would provide you the best opportunity to not only practice on the court, but also receive guidance and mentorship from people who understand the game. Having somebody look at your form and give you critiques and recommendations provides a perspective that you wouldn’t have access to if you were playing alone.
Easy Access To Basketball Resources
Additionally, schools usually have facilities for you to practice in, as well as basketballs for you to use. If you live in an area that doesn’t have too many open courts for you to use, this is the best chance for you to play without having to pay for a membership somewhere to get access to a court.
You may be wondering, “My entire goal is to get on my school’s team, how can that be listed as a resource if can’t even get there yet!”. You bring up a valid point; some schools will have a freshman or JV team that may be a bit easier to join than the varsity team. In addition to that, see if your community has any recreational leagues that you can join. It usually costs a little bit of money to join, but it guarantees similar oversight to what you’d be getting on a school team.
Study Professional Players
Another way to improve your skills is to study individual players and games on a professional level. Many of the best players today are very candid about their favorite players growing up, and how their play style is derived from those they admire. Learning from the best basketball players will help you understand the most efficient and effective ways to score points and win games. It will also give you some applicable drills to run by emulating real game situations!
Should I Get A Basketball Trainer?
Hiring a basketball trainer, while likely the most effective way to improve your skills quickly, requires you to have funds allocated towards this endeavor. It is still important to understand that you can achieve the same level of skill with or without a trainer, the timelines just may differ.
Having a trainer provides you with a personalized program that is solely focused on getting you better and gives you way more attention than you may receive when playing with a school or recreational team. It also allows you to run tailored plays that are geared towards improving your specific weaknesses.
If you do want to get better at the sport, the short answer to this question is yes, you should hire a trainer. But you should only get one if you have enough disposal income to do so comfortably.
Final Thoughts: What Age Is Too Late To Start Basketball?
It’s never too late to start something that you’re interested in. Depending on what areas of the game you want to become competent in and what level you’d like to play on, develop a plan beforehand. Set benchmarks that you want to hit by certain dates and ensure you are dedicating time and resources to playing. The suggestions above are only a handful of options you can choose from, so do your own exploring and figure out what works best for you.