Prep School Basketball Players: Why Growth Mindset Is the Real Game Changer

Success at the highest levels of basketball isn’t just about skill or athleticism—it’s about mindset. The players who go the furthest, who stay in the game the longest, and who evolve into leaders all have one thing in common: a relentless commitment to growth. We covered this in a recent interview with Tim DiFrancesco, former head strength coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Tim worked closely with legends like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol. His behind-the-scenes insights are incredibly valuable for student-athletes, parents, and coaches focused on prep school basketball development.

In this interview, Tim explains how NBA icons approached personal growth. More importantly, he shares how high school players can follow their lead to gain exposure, build resilience, and increase their chances of long-term success.

Tim DiFrancesco and the TD Athletes Edge team helping athletes build strength and durability

What NBA Stars Like Kobe and Nash Did Differently

Cory:
You were the Lakers head strength coach for six seasons. What’s the big takeaway from your time with the organization?

Tim:
The common denominator between Kobe, Pau Gasol, Meta World Peace, Steve Nash—all those Hall of Famers—was their willingness to be open-minded and have a growth mindset. They looked around and saw everything as a potential resource to learn from.

Tim:
Some players get to a high level and think, “I’ve got this figured out.” That mindset might help them stick for a while—but it won’t help them grow. The guys who ended up in the Hall of Fame started out like everyone else—uncertain rookies trying to figure it out. However, they had that mindset of, “I’m going to figure it out.”

Tim:
For example, Steve Nash tells this story: He and Dirk were drafted by the Mavericks. Dirk looked at him and said, “Dude, what the F are we doing here?” Nash replied, “Yeah, we might not have it figured out yet, but we’re going to.” That growth mindset—they all had it.

Kobe Bryant’s Relentless Commitment to Mastery

Tim DiFrancesco shares stories of working with Kobe Bryant and other NBA stars

Cory:
I’ve heard about Kobe working out three times a day, even after games, and at 4 AM. Now that we know more about recovery, what was his approach like?

Tim:
He definitely burned it down. One of his calling cards was using preparation as his confidence. In fact, he knew he had more preparation under his belt than anybody else.

Tim:
When he was rehabbing from his Achilles injury, I’d ask how he was feeling. He’d say, “I feel amazing. I could score 81 points every single night if I stepped out there right now.” That was his mindset—and that’s why he believed he could dominate even after a major setback.

Tim:
We lost a game in Memphis, flew to Chicago, and got to the hotel around 3 or 4 AM. I finally get to my room and receive a text from him: “What are you doing?” I’m thinking, “I’m about to pass out.” But I reply, “Nothing, what do you need?” He says, “I want to work out right now.”

Tim:
So I take the elevator down and hear classical music playing in the lobby. It’s him—playing piano. Then we go work out at 4:30 AM. Keep in mind, we had a game that same day.

Basketball-specific strength training to improve lower-body durability and mobility

Always Looking for the Edge—Even in Recovery

Tim:
Kobe latched onto this one brand of cold tub and believed it was the best. So whenever we arrived in a new city, I had to find one in advance—even if it was an hour away. While the rest of the team went to the hotel, we went straight to the cold tub.

Tim:
He was always stacking advantages. In other words, he was playing chess while others were still playing checkers.

What Prep School Players Can Learn From This

Tim DiFrancesco, founder of TD Athletes Edge and former Lakers strength coach

Tim:
You see players who make it to the NBA and stay there, and others who fall short—even with similar talent. The difference? A mindset to grow. That said, it’s not just about talent. It’s about choosing to learn from every person around you. That’s what separates the long-term winners from those who plateau early.

Final Word: Chase Growth, Not Comfort

At PREP Athletics, we’re always looking for ways to help players and families succeed. What Tim shared here is pure gold: talent opens doors, but mindset keeps them open. If you’re serious about playing college basketball—and making it beyond—train your mindset like Kobe did. Growth comes from consistent effort, but it starts with the decision to keep learning.

If you’re looking into prep school, reach out to us at PREP Athletics. We’re here to help you explore your potential and make choices that align with your athletic and academic future. We’ve also got a long list of resources to get you started in the right direction, so check out our latest prep basketball updates on YouTube or our podcast to dive deeper.