How Pickup Basketball Reveals Character and Builds Real Connections
Building Connections Through the Game
I started a group here in Kansas City called Pickup KC where we play basketball to really network first—we just happen to play sports.
One of the things that I always tell people, even when they’re looking to hire someone or just want to understand a person’s true character, is this:
bring them out to play basketball.
The Mask Comes Off on the Court
So often, we try to present this polished version of ourselves—like we have everything together.
But when you step between those lines, it’s different.
It becomes instinct.
Split-second decisions.
Real reactions.
And in those moments, the good, the bad, and the ugly come out.
Discovering the Unexpected
Most people who’ve played with us have shown sides of themselves I never would’ve expected.
From talent…
to personality…
to how they respond under pressure.
It’s a reminder again and again:
when you put people in an environment where they’re challenged, you see who they really are.
Unlocking Hidden Potential
I’ve seen guys come out and say,
“I haven’t played basketball in 10 years.”
Then suddenly—they’re running the court, hitting shots, fully engaged.
Afterward, they’ll say:
“I didn’t think I had that in me.”
And that’s the moment.
That’s what keeps them coming back.
Competition That Elevates
I love the competition side of it because it pushes people.
Not in a destructive way—but in a healthy way.
It challenges them to be better than they thought they could be.
And when that happens, it doesn’t just stay on the court—
it carries into life, work, and relationships.
Full Transcipt here:
i started a a
8:508 minutes, 50 secondsgroup here in kansas city called pick up kc where we play basketball to really truly network first we just happen to play sports and one of the things that i
8:588 minutes, 58 secondsalways tell people when even as they're looking to hire somebody or you know if somebody is just they want
9:079 minutes, 7 secondsthe true character of somebody i tell them come on bring them out to play basketball because so often we want to put on this
9:149 minutes, 14 secondsfacade of we've got all of our together and
9:209 minutes, 20 secondsyou know we get out there and when you step in between those lines it's your gut reaction it's you making decisions on a split second and
9:299 minutes, 29 secondsthe good the bad and the ugly will come out during those moments and often times i would say the majority of the people that have come out and
9:379 minutes, 37 secondsplayed with us i have seen them do things that i would have never ever expected of them from a talent
9:469 minutes, 46 secondsperspective a personality perspective and it just kind of goes to show again and again and again of like
Chapter 5: Competition
9:529 minutes, 52 secondsyou put people in a position to try and thrive or in a space they don't think they can and i've seen guys that
10:0010 minutestold me that there is no way they haven't played basketball in 10 years and they are running up and down this court they're hitting three-pointers and they come to me afterwards and say i
10:0810 minutes, 8 secondsdidn't think i had that in me that was the most fun i've had in a long time and they come back out and play a game it's just uh i just i love the
10:1710 minutes, 17 secondscompetition side because i like i'm connecting all these dots as we're talking like competition really pushes people to be better than they actually think they
10:2510 minutes, 25 secondsare at times in a healthy way there can be some some bad ways too i suppose