John Wooden
John Wooden
John Robert Woodenwas an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood," as head coach at UCLA he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period, including a record seven in a row. No other team has won more than two in a row. Within this period, his teams won a men's basketball-record 88 consecutive games. Wooden was named national coach of the year six times...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth14 October 1910
CountryUnited States of America
I don't get all wound up. I accept things as they come. I've always stressed moderation. I never got too high or too low. I think it helps being on an even keel. It was the same way with our players. I never wanted any excessive celebration if we outscored someone in a game or excessive dejection if we didn't. If you can stick to it, it helps.
I liked quickness very much and Pete had it. And I really liked his acceptance of the role he had. He didn't get to play nearly as much as he expected to when he came, but he accepted it.
I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or it won't be successful.
It doesn't make any difference what they go on to, it's a great feeling to see them doing well. I'm just as proud of the ministers and the doctors and the attorneys and the businessmen n every one of 'em.
I would never have a player come close to taking that many shots in a game. I don't ever recall seeing a player who could do so much with a basketball, but he never played on a championship team.
Success is peace of mind, a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming, and not just in a physical way: seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be yours as well.
What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player.
His style would not cut it with me. I wanted the socks all pulled up neatly and I didn't permit long hair. He was different. It was a great attraction. He made fancy shots that I wouldn't allow a player to take.
I'd like to very much because that's home back there.
I feel that I make an honest living. I take care of my children. I feel that there should be something for me.
Pete and Andre McCarter n another high-powered scorer in high school n became the best pair of defensive players I ever had in the backcourt. They embraced those roles for the welfare of the whole team.
When everyone is thinking the same, no one is thinking.
Better than any person my age has a right to,
Ben has really embraced the tradition of the program, and growing up in Southern California, he understands what it really means. To see him teaching those same principles to his players just gives me a lot of pride.