Becoming a Confident Shooter: Why Accountability Beats a Victim Mentality

Introduction: Why a Confident Shot Matters

There are thousands of professional basketball players worldwide—all relentlessly working on their jump shots. Yet, many pros still hesitate at the line, fear free throws, and second-guess open looks. Why? Because being a shooter requires more than just physical practice. If it were purely mechanical, every pro would retire with a flawless shot.

True shooting confidence combines technical skill, mental resilience, and deep internal work. In this series, we’ll explore the art of becoming a confident shooter—lessons drawn from coaches, psychologists, NBA stars like Patty Mills and Steph Curry, and my own journey from college struggles to the Olympics, NBL stardom, and now the NBA.

My Struggle with Shooting Confidence

My jump shot has been my ticket around the globe—securing a scholarship at the University of Nebraska, leading me through six years as a pro in Australia, taking me to the Olympics, and eventually landing me in the NBA. Yet the road was anything but smooth.

College Slump: One game, I went 0 for 11 from the field against Lonzo Ball’s UCLA team. That performance wrecked my confidence. I stopped shooting in practice, avoided open looks, and let one bad night spiral into a season of poor play.
Early Pro Challenges: In the NBL, I constantly found myself shot-faking and passing up wide-open opportunities. When shots did not fall, I’d get consumed by the result—if I missed a few, my entire approach crumbled.
Recent G League Struggle: Even this year, I started my G League season going 3 for 30 in my first three games. No matter how much physical work I put in, if my mindset wasn’t right, I would not have been able to bounce back.

Victim Mentality vs. Accountability

Looking back, I realized there was a pattern. Whenever my shot wasn’t falling, I blamed everything but myself:

“My coach doesn’t trust me. My teammates aren’t passing me the ball.”

I was living with a victim mentality—believing external forces controlled my fate and that I had little power to change my situation. This mindset brought:

Lack of Personal Growth

I never addressed the real issues behind my inconsistent shooting.

Blame and Excuses

Focusing on others’ faults kept me from actively seeking solutions.

Low Confidence

Feeling powerless only fueled anxiety and fear.

Weak Mentality

Basketball is full of adversity; without resilience, every mistake hurt twice as much.

The Turning Point: Accountability as Power

Once I acknowledged I was the only constant in all these “unfair” situations, everything changed. Mistakes and misses are inevitable; how you respond to them is what matters. Instead of blaming coaches or teammates, I began asking:

“What can I do differently next time? How can I fix my footwork or release? How can I prepare mentally before a game?”

This shift let me take control of my game. Even yesterday, I went 0 for 10 from three, I’m not devastated. I look at my routine, watch film, and trust my ability to bounce back. Accountability is the first step to becoming a great shooter—it empowers you to learn from failure and make the adjustments necessary for long-term success.

Three Mental Models for a Confident Shot

1. Extreme Ownership (Jocko Willink)

Retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink popularized the concept of “Extreme Ownership.” When a mission goes wrong, he takes responsibility—even if multiple factors were at play.

Application to Shooting: When you miss shots, don’t point fingers. Instead, ask, “What did I overlook in my shooting routine, footwork, or mindset?” Seeking solutions instead of laying blame creates growth and trust in yourself.

2. Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck)

Abilities, intelligence, and skills aren’t fixed; they evolve through learning and effort.

Reframe Negative Self-Talk: Replace “I’m not a good shooter” with “With the right technique and practice, I can become a great shooter.”
Fail Forward: Missed shots aren’t final judgments; they’re opportunities to improve.

3. Amor Fati (Stoicism)

Latin for “love of fate,” Amor Fati means embracing all events—good or bad—as integral parts of your journey.

Silver Linings: My struggles in college prepared me for professional adversity. At the time, I felt angry at the world, but without those slumps, I wouldn’t have developed the resilience needed to be a pro.
Choosing Perspective: See each setback as a building block toward your dream, not an obstacle stopping you from achieving it.

Conclusion

Confidence in shooting isn’t just about physical mechanics; it’s about embracing the responsibility to grow. By taking ownership of your setbacks, adopting a growth mindset, and learning to love every part of your journey—good and bad—you reclaim the power to improve. Instead of blaming external forces, see each miss or bad game as a stepping stone to progress.

That shift in thinking transforms fear into opportunity and doubt into determination, paving the way for the confident shooter you aspire to be. With accountability on your side, even a 0-for-10 night can be the catalyst for the next big breakthrough.

“You are more powerful than you realize—take ownership, and your confidence will follow.”

Final Call to Action

Reflect on your last slump or frustrating game. Which mindset—Extreme Ownership, Growth Mindset, or Amor Fati—could have changed how you handled it? Start applying these today, and watch your shooting confidence take off.