“I’m confident. My teammates trust me. My coaches trust me.” ~ Paige Bueckers

Hey Reader!

What if I told you confidence isn’t something you have, it’s something you do? And, it's a skill you can train.

Every day I get DMs and comments from players who are frustrated. They kill it in practice, but freeze up in games. They want to know how to keep shooting after a few misses, how to talk to their coach about playing time, or how to just play without being so afraid to mess up.

It’s the number one thing I get asked about. And it’s personal, because I was that player. I was the kid who would get so down on myself after one mistake that it would wreck my whole game. I’d play invisible just so I wouldn’t get noticed for the wrong reasons.

That struggle is exactly why we are developing our Unshakeable Confidence course. It's a powerful framework to help you unlock your true confidence, become more resilient, and play like you train.

This isn’t about more drills. It’s a blueprint for the mental side of the game, full of stuff I've learned from playing with and against some of the best. Stuff I wish I knew when I was your age.

For example, we talk about building confidence through “Confidence Reps.” A confidence rep is any small, controllable win. Taking a good shot without hesitating? That’s a rep, whether it goes in or not. Turning the ball over and instead of dropping your head, you sprint back on defense? That’s a rep.

We also get into what I call “building a reputation with yourself.” You’d never skip a scheduled meeting with your coach, right? So why do you hit snooze when you promised yourself you’d get up to shoot? Every time you keep a promise to yourself, no matter how small, you build self-trust. When you trust yourself, you don’t need anyone else’s approval to feel confident.

It's a totally different way to think about the game. It’s how you close the gap between the player you are in practice and the player you want to be when it matters most.

The Unshakeable Confidence course and playbook will be available soon. I’m excited to see more players stop playing scared and start playing with the freedom that comes from real, earned confidence.

You got this!

Brussels Basketball, BNXT Pro League

P.S. Sign up to be notified when Unshakeable Confidence is available.

3 Hacks From Me

Hack 1: Build an “If-Then” Plan for Pressure

Stop overthinking and instead make decisions before the moment arrives. Identify a situation where you hesitate, like a defender closing out too fast. Your plan: “If a defender closes out hard, then I will shot-fake and drive.” Period. This replaces in-game anxiety with a pre-made decision.

Hack 2: Track Your “Confidence Reps”

Confidence is a behavior you can track. For one week, your goal is to log “confidence reps” in practice. A rep isn’t a make or miss; it’s a choice. Sprinting back hard on defense after a turnover is one rep. Taking a good, open shot without hesitating is another. This gives you proof your confidence is growing.

Hack 3: Create a "Proof of Resilience" Note

When you're in a slump, your brain will lie to you. Fight back with facts. In your phone, create a note called "Proof" and list 3-5 times you were resilient (e.g., "Came back after starting 0-4 and hit big shots"). Read this before every game to remind yourself you’ve handled tough moments.

*View all of our past emails at hackinghoops.kit.com/posts​

2 Questions for Growth

1. Who is in your circle whose feedback you trust and it actually makes you better?
2. Who is in your inner circle who is critical and you need to ignore?

Reply to this email and let me know!

1 Link to Sign up

​Sign up to be notified when our Unshakeable Confidence course is available. It's a powerful framework for basketball players of all ages to learn the mindset secrets of the 1%.

Check out our other free resources at HackingHoops.com.

Got Questions? Need Game Feedback? Ask a Pro.

Book a 1-on-1 Mentoring Session with Tucker Richardson

Get personalized guidance and insider knowledge from Tucker Richardson in a 1-on-1 “Ask Me Anything” session. From one offer out of high school to Colgate’s all-time leader in assists, steals, and three-pointers, 4 trips to March Madness, and now playing pro overseas, Tucker knows the path.

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If you’re a player (age 10 and up), get personalized game feedback, advice on building confidence, help with the recruiting process, and more. Mentoring calls are also for parents seeking guidance and coaches looking to expand your playbook. Tucker is ready to share his journey and help shape yours.

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P.S. Check out my YouTube Channel where I share my journey and knowledge and give basketball advice to young athletes.

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Best,

Tucker