Pro Ball Buddy Mindset | Mental Strategies for Basketball Success with Teige Morrell

Ever had a dream you worked so hard for… only to have it shattered? I’ve been there. College recruitment was supposed to be the ultimate goal, but injuries, missed calls, and doors closing left me questioning everything. In this episode, I share my raw college recruiting story—from heartbreak to finding the perfect path—and how God used every twist and turn to guide me exactly where I needed to be...

I was recently interviewed by National Rugby League legend and host of The Spirit of Sport Podcast, Tim Mannah, who was kind enough to share the audio with me so I can share it with you right here. Tim interviews athletes about sport and religion and I highly recommend exploring all his content. I was so honored to be on the show to share my story: from playing college basketball, navigating inter...

Have you ever loved basketball… but suddenly felt exhausted by it? Not tired from hard work — but mentally drained, emotionally flat, and slowly losing the joy that once pulled you into the gym. Burnout doesn’t usually hit all at once. It creeps in through overtraining, constant pressure, long travel days, and environments where performance matters more than people. In this episode, I share my hig...

Losing streaks don’t destroy teams — leaks in belief do. Body language. Silence. Frustration. Words spoken without care. When belief becomes fragile, leadership matters more than talent — and the most powerful leaders aren’t always the ones scoring the most points. In Part 3 of The Underestimated Power of Hope and Belief in Basketball, we move from internal leadership to external leadership and un...

Have you ever been in a slump where the results aren’t showing up, confidence feels shaky, and you start wondering what’s wrong with you? Here’s the truth most athletes never get taught: slumps don’t mean you’re broken — they mean you’re being tested. And what separates elite athletes from everyone else isn’t talent… it’s how they lead themselves when belief is thin. In Part 2 of The Underestimate...

There’s a reason so many people fall in love with basketball — anything can happen. Buzzer beaters. Huge comebacks. Underdog wins. Cinderella stories that flip a season on its head. And yet, despite all the proof this game gives us, belief is often the first thing players and teams lose when results don’t go their way. In this episode, we explore the underestimated power of hope and belief in bask...

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to step into a new club, a new city, and a new league—and try to find your footing both on and off the court? In today’s special guest episode, you’re getting an inside look into my journey as an athlete through someone else’s lens: the UC Caps Weekly Podcast. This conversation dives into the behind-the-scenes of WNBL life, my upbringing in New Mexico, the...

Have you ever looked back at your younger self and wished you could give her a hug… and a little pep talk? Turning 30 has done that to me in the best way possible. Maybe it’s the milestone, maybe it’s the reflection, or maybe it’s just realizing how fast life moves — one minute you’re 13 and terrified of making mistakes, and the next you’re stepping into a new decade with deeper confidence and a w...

How often do you walk away from a game only thinking about the score, the stats, or the things you didn’t do? If you’re like most young athletes, results feel like the only thing that matters. But what if the real path to confidence — and even greatness — is hidden in something much smaller, quieter, and way more within your control? This week’s episode was sparked by our game against my former te...

In Part 3 of My Parents’ Perspective, we wrap up our most personal and impactful conversation yet. This episode dives into the surprising—and sometimes shocking— problematic sports parents my family experienced, from accusations and rumors to jealousy and sideline drama. But what unfolds next is even more powerful: a vulnerable discussion on how childhood experiences influence a young athlete’s se...

In Part 2 of “My Parents’ Perspective,” we go deeper into the early years of my basketball journey—the moments my parents realised I might actually go pro, to the intentional choices (and struggles) that came with raising multi-sport athletes. This episode gives you a heartwarming behind-the-scenes look at a parent’s world: the chaotic schedules and the decisions they made to support—not force—my...

If your kid has ever walked out of tryouts with tears in their eyes or felt crushed after missing a team, you’re not alone. Every athlete faces setbacks—but how they respond determines their growth, confidence, and future in sport. In this heartwarming conversation with my parents, we unpack the question every sports parent asks: “How do I help my kid keep their confidence up?” From the lessons th...

Have you ever had that moment where you finally finish a huge game, an exam, or a big week… and your first instinct is to switch off, stay up late, binge scroll, or just “treat yourself” because you feel like you earned it? As athletes — and honestly, as driven people — we’ve all been there. But the truth is, greatness doesn’t just show up when it’s convenient. How you do anything is how you do ev...

Ever had a coach whose feedback left you questioning everything? Maybe you got subbed out and started overthinking what they really think of you. Or maybe you’ve worked your tail off, only to feel invisible when praise never comes. Confidence in basketball can feel like it rises and falls with your coach’s approval — but what if your confidence didn’t have to depend on anyone else’s opinion? In pa...

This episode unpacks how outside factors — like your coach and team environment — can impact your confidence as a player. Coach David Morrell joins me for a raw and insightful conversation about the link between culture and confidence — how coaches can either fuel belief or steal it. I asked David to share his thoughts on a coach’s role when it comes to players’ confidence and my hope is that it g...

Ever been called a ball hog just for being aggressive? Or maybe you’ve held back in games because you didn’t want to seem selfish. Every player wrestles with that tension — wanting to help their team win and needing to stay confident and take their shot. So where’s the line between confidence and selfishness in basketball? In this episode, we unpack one of the biggest debates in the game: is being...

What’s it really like when your coach is also your parent? Some people assume you’re getting all the favoritism, while others think you’ve got it harder than anyone else on the team. Growing up as a coach’s daughter, I’ve lived through the stereotypes, the whispers, and the pressure—but I also experienced the encouragement and freedom that shaped my love for the game. In this episode, I’m opening...

Ever cramped up mid-game and wondered why your body betrayed you right when you needed it most? Or maybe you’ve dragged yourself through practice with a foggy brain and heavy legs, not realizing that the real issue wasn’t your fitness—it was your hydration. Most athletes (and parents of athletes) underestimate how much hydration affects energy, focus, recovery, and performance. In this episode of...

Most athletes don’t think twice about what’s in their sports drink—they just grab what’s available and trust it will help. But if you’ve ever cramped mid-game, felt drained after training, or wondered why recovery takes forever, your hydration could be the missing link. The truth? Many sports drinks are packed with sugar and don’t deliver on performance. That’s why in this episode, I’m pulling bac...

Starting fresh with a new team is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re stepping into your first rep team, gearing up for tryouts, or, like me, adjusting to a brand-new city and pro team, the nerves are real. In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my first 48 hours with the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL and sharing the exact mindset strategies I’m l...

When you’re short on time, what’s the first thing you cut from your workout? For most basketball players, the answer is recovery. Foam rolling gets skipped, stretching becomes optional, and rest days feel like wasted time. But here’s the truth: recovery isn’t lazy—it’s the hidden key to staying injury-free, building mental toughness, and stepping into your season game-ready. In this final part of...

The off-season can feel like the longest grind of the year. With no games, no crowds, and no instant results, staying motivated isn’t easy. But here’s the truth: the players who master discipline and mental toughness in the off-season are the ones who come back transformed. I know firsthand what it’s like to wake up on a training day and not feel like moving—but those exact days often turn into th...

Ever finish your basketball season and think, “Okay… now what?” Too many players waste their off-season grinding through random drills without direction—and end up frustrated when the next season rolls around with little to show for it. The truth? Random training might be your biggest off-season mistake. In this episode, we’ll walk through how to reflect on your past season, build a player develop...

Have you ever felt guilty for taking time off basketball—even when your body is begging for it? You’re not alone. A lot of players might jump straight into off-season training, thinking more is always better… or they take too much time off; but pros know the truth: the right amount of recovery is the real secret weapon. In this episode, I’m sharing the first two steps to my very own pro-level bask...

The pressure is on, the crowd is loud, and your heart’s pounding like crazy. You’ve trained all season for this—so why does it feel like everything might fall apart? Whether you’re preparing for playoffs or dreaming of that big game moment, the truth is this: some athletes rise under pressure, and some shrink from it. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own NBL1 journey—fresh off a...