2024 RICHARD SPEAR , MD , MEMORIAL ESSAY CONTEST
2024 RICHARD SPEAR , MD , MEMORIAL ESSAY CONTEST
In-Training Member Category Winner
Basketball – My Second Home by ANKUR GUPTA , MD
The first time I stepped onto a basketball court as part of my high school team , something in me shifted . Basketball had always been an integral part of my life , but standing beside my teammates in our matching blue jerseys transformed it from just a playground game to a deep recognition of what it meant to be on a team . Throughout the season , I cherished the camaraderie with my teammates , not only on the court but also during our strategic discussions in the lead-up to each game : deconstructing our previous plays and analyzing our upcoming opponents . We loved crafting plays , strategies and defenses together to solve how we could win the next game . This was not just any game ; it was my sanctuary , my home away from home . If you asked me what I would be doing if I were not heavily invested in the world of medicine , I would tell you without skipping a beat — I would be lacing up my sneakers , trading my stethoscope in for a whistle and coaching basketball . If I weren ’ t a doctor , I ’ d be a basketball coach .
This may seem like a stark contrast to the medical field , but for me , it is a natural progression of my love for sports and leadership . Being a doctor has always been my dream , but in an alternate reality where I pursued a career in coaching , I imagine I would still thrive in a field that requires discipline , strategic thinking and a passion for helping others reach their full potential .
Basketball was not just about scoring points or winning games . It was about community , camaraderie and the unspoken bond shared between teammates . It was about picking each other up after a tough loss , celebrating victories like they were championship titles and learning life lessons that no classroom could ever teach .
My love for basketball began in childhood , fueled by countless hours practicing and playing . Each day , my father and I would cap off the evening glued to the NBA , dissecting plays like detectives cracking a code . Our “ Who can predict the next play ?” competition , featuring coaches like Phil Jackson , Pat Riley and Greg Popovich , turned hilariously competitive . While some predictability did occur , the strategic gems I gleaned were invaluable . Witnessing coaches like Jackson orchestrate the “ triangle offense ” with endless variations was mesmerizing . By high school , I ’ d graduated to game film , pausing meticulously to dissect plays for self-improvement and team benefit .
Film study became an intricate dance with detail . I watched footage , insatiable in my pursuit of knowledge . The joy wasn ’ t passive ; it mirrored the satisfaction some may find in watchmaking or dancing , in understanding the inner workings . It wasn ’ t just about watching ; it was about studying , analyzing and asking the ever-important “ Why ?” The most transformative shift , however , was in my perspective . I transitioned from “ observing what is ” to “ analyzing what ’ s missing .” I went from a passive spectator to an active strategist , envisioning alternative plays , counters and possibilities . Film study morphed from understanding past actions to actively crafting future ones .
This journey fostered an appreciation for the coach ’ s role in shaping a team ’ s success . A great coach transcends mere knowledge transfer , becoming a mentor , motivator and leader . The prospect
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE