Good morning, traders…
At first glance, basketball players and traders might seem worlds apart…
One group spends their days on the court, running drills and perfecting their jump shots, while the other watches screens, analyzes charts, and tracks financial data.
But if you look closer, there are far more similarities between the two than initially meets the eye…
Traders can absorb a lot from the discipline, focus, and mindset of top basketball players.
Few people know this better than yours truly…
As a former Division I basketball player, I understand how certain aspects of athletic prowess translate to the trading floor.
From the importance of building on fundamentals to staying calm under pressure, trading and sports have a lot in common.
Looking back, the lessons I learned on the basketball court have been invaluable in my trading career…
I had to give a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on the court to learn these skills that translated to the markets.
But you don’t have to.
Here Are The 6 Tricks I Learned On The Basketball Court That Have Helped Me Become A Consistently Winning Trader…
1. 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 — shooting free throws, running drills, working on footwork — day after day, for years.
Success in basketball is all about putting in the time, even when it’s tough, repetitive, or just plain boring.
Trading is the same. It’s not about nailing one big trade that changes everything. 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.
2. Focus on the Fundamentals
When I was playing Division I, my coaches always drilled the fundamentals into me…
Dribbling, passing, shooting … these basics were at the core of every practice, no matter how good I got.
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.
3. Keeping 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 something I’ve carried into my trading career.
In the trading world, 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.
Staying calm and thinking logically is crucial. Just like I had to keep my cool on the court, I need to keep my head clear when the market gets unpredictable.
4. 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 and being coachable are essential to winning games.
In trading, I’ve found that 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.
Additionally, surrounding yourself with other aspiring traders, sharing ideas, and learning from each other can help you be objective about your performance — it’s called team trading.
Trading may seem like an individual sport, but you don’t have to go it alone.
5. Learning from Losses
In basketball, you’re going to miss shots, turn the ball over, and sometimes lose games. It’s part of the sport.
But what separates good players from great ones is how they respond to those setbacks.
After a tough game, I’d review videos to determine 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. But it’s also a big part of what’s helped me improve as a trader.
6. The Long Game vs. Short-Term Wins
As a basketball player, I learned to think beyond just the next shot. I had to consider how my actions would impact the whole game, the season, and my long-term vision.
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 or the outcome of a single trade. But like in basketball, the focus should be on the big picture.
A consistent strategy that works over time is more important than chasing quick wins. By thinking about my long-term goals, I avoid getting thrown off by a few bad trades.
It’s just like how I had to trust the process during a long season. Patience pays dividends.
Discipline, mastering the basics, staying cool under pressure, learning from losses, and thinking long-term — the same qualities that make a great basketball player also make a great trader.
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
P.S. You don’t need a fancy setup.
You don’t need a bunch of “algos” and “indicators.”
You don’t need to spend all day watching charts.
And you don’t need a lot of money.
All you need is a working phone, internet connection, and a trading account…
And you could begin targeting gains up to 20%… 39%… 100%… 148%… 200%… and even 300%…*
*Past performance does not indicate future results
