Ben York Finds Purpose in Free Throws

Name: Ben York

College: University of California, Los Angeles

Sponsoring Lodge: Santa Barbara, Calif., Lodge No. 613

National Finals: 2007, 12-13 Boys

National Finals Score: 6th place, 22/25

You shoot; you score, or you don’t; and you do it again. Shooting free throws can be monotonous, but the possibility of winning is what keeps competitors like Ben York motivated. That laser focus on getting the basketball in the hoop is the most valuable skill Ben walked away with after competing in five Hoop Shoot seasons, and it’s the one he has used most in his life. But when it comes to the Hoop Shoot, focusing isn’t everything.

“After a certain point, it becomes difficult to motivate yourself to get out there and keep practicing, especially if your mom refuses to rebound for you, but it’s imperative to do so,” Ben says.

Ben had to use his inner drive to continue practicing every day during the Hoop Shoot. In his last year of eligibility, he finally made it to the National Finals. Although he wasn’t a champion, the lessons he learned from the Hoop Shoot are pushing him to go for a different title: Doctor.

The repetitive nature of shooting free throws is like applying to medical schools. Over the course of just a few months, Ben applied to 16 medical schools—a daunting task by any measure.

“Writing what was basically the same essay over and over again quickly became infuriating, but I was able to draw upon my inner drive that was built during the Hoop Shoot to keep me focused on writing the best essay to my ability,” Ben says.

Ben knows that no matter what he must do to achieve his new goal, he will do it because he did it during the Hoop Shoot, too. Ben knows he has a purpose and can persevere through anything, even if it takes time to earn the reward, and he found that purpose through faith and free throws.

No matter what the outcome is for each Hoop Shoot participant, there will be lessons that are learned that lead to a better future. Ben encourages competitors to be confident in themselves and in their abilities, and to bring that energy to the court at the National Finals.

“Although there can only be one winner, you should know that you succeeded,” Ben says.