"Anointed"

There is always the "anointed" player, the "can't miss kid." Maybe it's Roger Clemens, LeBron James, or Victor Wembanyama. Still, others arise from lesser light - Tom Brady (6th round draftee) or Mike Piazza (62nd round, baseball now has 20 rounds).

Michael Lewis excels at writing about the misvaluation of 'assets'. The ascent of excellence fascinates many. Ruth Breen came out of nowhere to set for a Final Four team. 

"The magic is in the work." Perhaps an unrecognized player is doing the work now, preparing to punch above her weight. 

Success sometimes tracks obsession...do you want to become a player who impacts winning or do you need to become that player?

Having at least two of the three of skill, size, and athleticism are undeniable help. If you're blessed with all three, then so much the better. 

When tryouts arrived in August, the coaches didn't ask who did the work. They saw it. 

Lagniappe. Doing the work, the little things, can't get boring. Your platform, footwork, armswing, setting technique can't get old.