Good morning, traders…
The opposing team’s star player was driving towards me in a crucial playoff.
Tie game. 12 seconds left.
I was playing professional basketball in Uruguay. And this was the most important moment of the season…
Everyone in the arena knew he was going for the layup.
I had an instant decision to make:
- Commit to the block and risk the foul
- Let him shoot and position for the rebound.
I jumped, made contact, and sent the ball flying out of bounds.
The ref blew the whistle. Foul, two free throws.
He made the first, but missed the second.
I rebounded and passed it up court for the win.
That moment taught me more about trading than any book ever could.
When you have to make a split-second decision (knowing you could cost your team everything), the pressure is identical to managing a live position in a volatile market.
People ask me if I miss the competition, the intensity, and the glory of professional sports.
I tell them trading gives me all of that … and more.
The athletes who win championships approach their game the same way successful traders approach their strategy.
But most people treat trading more like a casino table game than a true athletic pursuit.
That’s why they lose.
Looking back, the lessons I learned on the basketball court have been invaluable in my trading career…
I gave a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on the court to learn these skills…
But you don’t have to.
Let me show you how to trade like a champion…
Discipline Wins the Game
I didn’t become a great basketball player overnight. Being 6’ 8” doesn’t automatically put you on the starting lineup…
It took years of disciplined practice off the court (shooting free throws, running drills, working on footwork) before I was ready to play at a high level.
Basketball prowess requires putting in the time, even when it’s tough, repetitive, or just plain boring.
Trading is the same. It’s about showing up every day, developing a repeatable step-by-step process, and sticking to it.
Just like I used to spend hours on the court perfecting my shot until it was second nature, I now spend my time analyzing market data, refining my strategies, and researching trade ideas.
Consistency in practice leads to wins on the court (and in the options market).
Focus on the Fundamentals
When I was playing pro ball, my coaches always talked about the importance of fundamentals.
Dribbling, passing, shooting … these basics were at the core of every practice.
Sure, it’s intriguing to try fancy new moves, but those are useless without a strong foundation.
Even the best players, like Steph Curry or LeBron James, spend hours perfecting simple layups and free throws.
The same goes for trading. It’s easy to get caught up in complex strategies or chase the latest trends in the market.
But the basics (understanding market trends, analyzing charts, and knowing how to plan a successful trade) are what really matter.
Just as mastering the basics made me a better basketball player, focusing on the core principles of trading has made me a better trader.
Keep a Cool Head Under Pressure
I’ve been that player at the free-throw line, with the championship game on the line, the crowd roaring, and all eyes on me…
The pressure can be intense, but you learn to block out the noise and focus on the task at hand (draining the basket).
That ability to stay calm in the moment is one of the most helpful skills I’ve carried into my trading career.
In the stock market, high-pressure moments are just as common (if not more so)…
The market can be unpredictable, and you might find yourself in situations where you have to make quick decisions (like when stocks suddenly surge or plunge).
Just like I had to keep my cool on the court, I need to keep my head clear when the market gets unpredictable.
The Importance of Teamwork and Coaching
Basketball is a team sport. Even the most talented players need to work well with their teammates and follow the coach’s game plan.
I learned early on that trust in your teammates is essential to winning games.
In trading, having a mentor (and being part of a trading community) can be just as valuable.
A good mentor can provide guidance, offer feedback, and help you see things from a more experienced perspective.
Think of me as your trading coach.
Plus, surrounding yourself with like-minded traders, sharing ideas, and learning from each other can speed up your growth.
Trading may seem like an individual sport, but you don’t have to go it alone.
Learning from Losses
In any sport, you’re going to miss shots, turn the ball over, and lose games. Setbacks are unavoidable.
What separates good players from great ones is how they respond to those setbacks.
After a tough game, I’d review film to figure out what went wrong, focus on my weaknesses, and come back stronger.
It wasn’t about dwelling on the loss, but learning from it.
Trading is no different. Taking losses is a part of the game. No trader wins every time.
But just like on the court, the key is to learn from your losses.
I always ask myself: What could I have done differently? Did I stray from my game plan? Did I let my emotions get the best of me?
Analyzing those moments helped me win basketball games. And now it helps me make winning trades.
The Long Game vs. The Short Game
As a basketball player, I learned to think beyond the next shot.
I had to consider how my actions would impact the whole game, the season, and my team.
A few missed shots didn’t matter (as long as I stuck to the game plan and kept working hard).
In trading, it’s easy to get caught up in daily market movements. You can be disappointed with the outcome of a single trade.
But just like basketball, your focus should be on the big picture.
Trading is the greatest sport in the world with the highest stakes.
I want you to be a professional athlete in the markets.
Just like in sports, success in trading comes from preparation, practice, and a willingness to learn from every experience.
Who knows? The next time you’re watching a game, you might see a bit of your trading strategy on the court.
Happy trading,
Ben Sturgill
*Past performance does not indicate future results
