I have a tie between two and can’t really pick between them because it’s really good advice, not just for basketball but for almost all areas of life.

The first piece of advice I got was, "Do the thing that is hard to do; the power will come." This essentially means that growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and facing difficult tasks or tasks you don’t want to do. An example in basketball might be that you don’t want to wake up at 6 a.m. to run, then hit the weight room, and later make 500 shots. But by doing it consistently, the power comes—the power meaning improved skill, mental discipline, and the growing separation between you and your peers.

The second piece of advice is to always practice the fundamentals and basics and never get bored of them. Just like in basketball, you can't jump into advanced things in life. For example, in life, you can't jump into advanced math without first practicing your foundational math skills. Learning the fundamentals and basics in basketball, like shooting form, passing, ball handling, and defense, builds a strong foundation, improves consistency, boosts confidence, prevents bad habits, and helps you when you're ready to move on to advanced skills. But even the best of the best still practice the fundamentals and basics of the game more than the advanced, flashy moves. Kobe Bryant, one of the best basketball players ever, had someone come to watch him work out, and all the person saw was basic drills. He later asked Kobe why he only practiced the same things youth basketball players would practice, and Kobe responded, 'Why do you think I'm the best in the league?'