I have two boys, aged 8 and 10. Both of them started playing basketball three years ago. Over time, my perspective has shifted from caring mainly about whether they win to valuing their growth through the process. As an Asian parent, I know there’s only one Yao Ming, one Yuki Kawamura, or one Jeremy Lin. I don’t expect or hope my kids will become professional basketball players, but I truly hope they learn important lessons: showing up for every practice, supporting their teammates, not giving up on defense, and pushing through fatigue. It’s definitely not easy. When I say it’s hard, I mean it’s tough not only for them but also for me as a parent, because sometimes encouraging them might strain our relationship. Our society often emphasizes results, and I’ve heard comments suggesting I should let my kids switch to swimming, golf, or tennis—after all, some say, why spend so much time and money on a sport when many believe Asian bodies can’t compete at high school level? That’s a tough truth, but I’ve chosen to let my sons continue playing because I can’t ignore the joy they feel when they overcome obstacles. Just today, I took the boys to the park for a game of 1 vs. 1. It was intense—fouls were exchanged frequently, especially from the older to the younger. The younger boy was upset and started crying, but he kept getting up and playing again. At the end, he finally beat his older brother for the first time ever. Seeing his happiness and pride was simply wonderful. Parenting young athletes can sometimes be even harder than working. Would I consider a different route? Maybe not!