This has kinda been eating me for a while.So in 6th grade i started to take an interest in basketball after watching and anime called Slam Dunk, but back then i could hardly find a place to play. That changed when i started high school last year and came to a school with a good basketball court and several people who share my love for the sport. Now I seem to have a really hard time resisting any chance to play basketball and will even play it if i have some sort of injury.  I think about improving in basketball more often than about improving in any other hobby I've had. I think about it when I'm going to school, when I'm walking around in my room and even when I'm trying to sleep.But lately i've just been coming home angry and depressed after playing basketball because of my height (5'1). I just hate the fact that I probably have the potential to be a good basketball player, but my height is always going to take that away from me.   I thought of something recently, what if my entire love for basketball was really just some desperate attempt to feel better about my size?I know I like performing well and then getting praise when i do a good job during a game (maybe that's just something people like in general?), but what if it's only because I feel better about my height every time i perform wellSo what do you guys think?

Really, if you're having a great time playing basketball and it's all you can think about then just keep on doing it. Doesn't matter if you've got something to prove or not. In fact if you do it's actually a good thing in some ways because it's an extra means to get you motivated. It could be a mix of enjoying it and wanting to prove something. I doubt if this was a desperate attempt you'd be this passionate about it.

Unless you have a serious height complex (hello fellow shortie--I'm, like 5'0"), it sounds like you've been playing basketball because you like basketball. It's not like you need to turn it into anything professional, where anyone under a puny 6'5" is at a serious disadvantage. Height isn't one of those things you can change. If you had a physical handicap or something and you wanted to prove yourself, I'd understand, but it's just height. I've turned mine into a joke. _{Though it does help that since I'm female shortness is considered cute.}

You should go for it. You might be 5'1 now, but you will grow a lot in this next year. You are letting your height hold you back not the fact that you want prove something. You can't be afraid of injuries.

I say do it. Go play basketball. If you hesitate too long you will miss your chance.

There as a girl on my cheerleading team that had her leg amputated. She wanted to tumble so badly that she worked so hard and she did it. She was one of the lead tumblers. She is still one of my greatest inspirations. People told her she couldn't do it due to physical limitations.

You should go for it. You might be 5'1 now, but you will grow a lot in this next year. You are letting your height hold you back not the fact that you want prove something. You can't be afraid of injuries.I say do it. Go play basketball. If you hesitate too long you will miss your chance.There as a girl on my cheerleading team that had her leg amputated. She wanted to tumble so badly that she worked so hard and she did it. She was one of the lead tumblers. She is still one of my greatest inspirations. People told her she couldn't do it due to physical limitations.

my growth plates are pretty much fused so I doubt I'll ever go beyond 5'1, but yeah I suppose you guys are right. I shouldn't stop doing something I love, I jut wish it wasn't so frustrating sometimes.

 Now I seem to have a really hard time resisting any chance to play basketball and will even play it if i have some sort of injury.  I think about improving in basketball more often than about improving in any other hobby I've had. I think about it when I'm going to school, when I'm walking around in my room and even when I'm trying to sleep. 

 

That sounds a lot like me

 

But nah, you shouldn't think into it too much. You love the game, so keep playing it.

 _{Though it does help that since I'm female shortness is considered cute.}

 

Uh huh. Then why hasn't senpai noticed you?

Uh huh. Then why hasn't senpai noticed you?

 

Because FIRETRUCK YOU SENPAI CAN GO EAT A DICK.

I do t know my exact height, but I am quite short as well, and believe it or not I like it and want to stay short . When I'm short, people expect me to be a pushover in the stuff I do, and I use that to my advantage and blow them away with what I can accomplish, although I know that I'm no where near the best. It's that sense of balance of accepting who you are and using that to your advantage to rise to greater heights than anyone could expect, and you might even surprise yourself . I know I couple months back I played tennis with someone who was in college and he was pretty good himself. He tried to use his height to beat me but my shits went past instead of above him, and he was dumbfounded. I know in short, and I actually quite like it cause it could help me do things that tall people couldn't, but I also know that I always have to strive to get better no matter what my limits. I think I may have gone a bit off topic, my bad . But I think you should play and give it all you got, you'll be surprised with what you can accomplish.

You don't really need to be tall to play basketball.  Sure, you can't dunk, but there are advantages small people that the taller ones don't.  Plus Basketball is a team sport.  If you can't throw the ball somewhere, then focus on getting the ball from the other team and passing it to someone who can.  You never know - you might just get that last minute growth spurt.  The one I never got.

OMG! I totally feel you man I'm a tad shorter than you, and like you, I freaking love basketball! It makes me feel really free and awesome...

 

And from what I've read, I highly doubt that you started to like basketball just because it made you feel better. It sounds like you really love it. But if you're stressed about it, practice alone. Polish your skills when no one's around; strengthen your body and improve your shooting accuracy. Don't rely on the praise of others, but rather, compete with yourself. The better you get, the more you'll realise you don't have to be tall! Don't give up. Trust me, I'm female AND I'm short, so yes there are challenges, but believe in yourself

 

Did I get too emotional there? Hope this helped.