So you want to start learning how to play basketball even though you’ve never really picked up a ball and are a bit intimidated?

Don’t worry you’re not alone; basketball is the second most-popular sport in the United States. If you’re a college student, there’s no better time to learn the basketball basics, and you won’t find a better sport than basketball to get into.

The college experience offers so many different options for first timers and novice players to get acclimated to the game. If you’re in your late teens, we’ll be honest, you’re not going to be a great player after you graduate, but at the very least you’ll have a better understanding of how to play the game. In no particular order, here are a few reasons why university is the perfect time to learn how to shoot hoops in your adult life.

Friends, Roommates and Other First Timers

The first reason why learning to play basketball in university is a good time is that you’re surrounded by other students your age. Your friends and classmates, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, will help, support and teach you along the way. Not only that, you won’t be alone. Whenever and wherever you end up playing, you’ll be surrounded by other basketball first timers at your skill level.

Different Skill Levels Available 

Whether it’s an intramural league or just going to the gym to see if you can catch a pick up game, you’ll have a choice of choosing your skill level. Large universities will often have intramural leagues that will have multiple divisions from beginner to former high school players. The lower the skill level of the division you choose, the more social and less competitive they are. The same goes with going to play pick up, there’s often multiple courts separated by skill level. Though this is less regimented, you’ll be able to tell which court you should be playing on.

Physical Exercise

With college being the first time many kids are on their own, it’s not unusual for freshmen to put on a lot of weight their first year in college. Basketball is a perfect way to counter the “freshman 15.” Basketball can be a very intensive sport that not only helps develop a good physical form, but is a really great way to burn calories.

However, you won’t build your body just playing a few basketball games here and there. To get basketball fit and strong, you should be playing frequently. If you’re a student who always experiences a lack of time, feel free to ask your friends, “Do you know someone who can write my college paper?” so you can get out of the dorm and get onto the basketball court.

Lots of Different Ways to Contribute

Clearly the most-important skill to have is putting the ball in the basket, but if you’re just starting to play basketball, you might not feel comfortable shooting the ball. The good news is that there are other facets of the game that are important in the team’s success. Being able to impact the game in smaller ways is why basketball is such a great sport for novices. Instead of trying to be a scoring champion, you can use the skills you do have to contribute.

Not great at dribbling? You don’t have to. You can just make a good, smart pass without dribbling once. If you’re tall or heavier set, you might be effective as a rebounder on the defensive or offensive side. If you’re short and small, don’t worry, you can use your size to your advantage by being a pest on defense or chasing down loose balls.

Being Social in a Different Atmosphere

Even if you’re not the best player on your team, basketball is a great way to connect with friends and classmates in a different atmosphere. It gives everyone a different lens in which to socialize outside of the classrooms, coffee shops, libraries and sports bars.

Mental Health and Development

It’s definitely a benefit to be the fastest, strongest, most-athletic or most-talented player on a the team, but don’t sleep on the importance of having a strong mental game. Being able to think out the game and being patient can be just as important. Understanding how to play, your limitations, and your strengths will make the game much easier for anyone looking to learn the game

Not only is thinking out the game important, but the physical exertion allows players to de-stress from a tough week of studying and tests. It’s been shown that physical activity improves mental health. Here’s a passage from the National Institute of Health:

Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.

So when you’re having a tough week, playing an hour of basketball can help you to improve your mental state and self-esteem; potentially staving off common mood issues like anxiety and negativity.

Watching Basketball Videos to Improve

If there’s something you have in college that you’ll have less after college, it’s free time. If you’re interested in basketball, you were already probably watching and interested in March Madness, but if you’re committed to becoming better at basketball, you can always improve off the court just by watching videos.

That’s because in order for you not to forget how to play, you should be constantly strive to develop your skills. When you can you should spend time playing or learning how to improve. In the case of conflicting schedules, feel free to ask your teammates, “Who can help me on my math homework?” to maintain a high college score and spend more time expanding on your basketball skills.

With your homework done, you can now spend more time on basketball. no shortage of basketball videos for you to watch on Instagram and YouTube. First think about the facets of the game you have a knack for or parts of the game you’d like to get better at. Got a couple ideas? Great, now search for videos on improving those basketball skills.

Final Thoughts

Notwithstanding, the primary reason why to start playing basketball in college is that there’s a lot of  built-in benefits for novices. This game will attract you and become a part of your life. Fortunately, almost every college has a basketball gym for its students to improve upon their skills.