The Burger King Classic
A basketball homily at Cathedral Prep
Editor’s Note: This is a summary of a homily that Fr. Ben Daghir preached to the basketball teams who participated in the 42nd annual Burger King Classic. The four teams were Cathedral Prep, Thurgood Marshall, St. Edward, and Neumann-Goretti. Here’s an article about the tournament: 42nd annual Burger King Classic
What makes a basketball player truly tough?
When we hear the word tough in sports — especially in basketball — we usually think of something loud or aggressive. Trash talk. Intimidation. Flexing. Bravado. Pumping up the crowd or chest-bumping an opposing player after a big play.
But years ago, an article written by Jay Bilas challenged that misunderstanding. Bilas asked a simple question:
What makes a basketball player truly tough?
And we are invited to think about that question this evening — playing in a gym packed with fans, competing against elite teams, with expectations, rankings, pressure, and eyes watching every move.
What makes a basketball player truly tough?
When I first read this article in 2009, as a sophomore in high school, my coach handed it to our team and we read it carefully. This evening, we can walk together through what Bilas says makes a player truly tough.
According to Jay Bilas, a truly tough player plays for the team, not for attention.
He does the hard, unseen work — the screens, cuts, box-outs, defense that never shows up on the stat sheet.
A truly tough player moves with urgency and discipline.
He communicates constantly and makes his teammates better.
A truly tough player plays defense with purpose — alert, engaged, hands up, ready.
He goes after loose balls and isn’t afraid to get on the floor.
A truly tough player takes charges and absorbs contact for the good of the team.
He finishes plays, even through fouls or adversity.
A truly tough player runs the floor hard to create opportunities for others.
He accepts coaching and criticism without excuses.
A truly tough player shows strong body language — no whining, sulking, or blaming.
He takes responsibility for mistakes and owns outcomes.
A truly tough player helps teammates first — on the floor and off it.
He moves on immediately to the next play.
A truly tough player is hard to play against and easy to play with.
He treats every game as important.
And he shows up every day with the goal of getting better.
That’s Jay Bilas on toughness.
Now here’s the part I didn’t understand when I was a sophomore in high school — and something we might not immediately recognize either.
I had no idea that this article — point by point — wasn’t just about basketball.
It was about Jesus Christ.
Because when we look closely, every single one of those traits describes Him perfectly. In fact, Jesus defines what toughness really is.
Jesus never seeks attention — He constantly points to the Father and gives Himself for others.
Jesus does the hard, unseen work — thirty hidden years, healing, serving, forgiving, loving without recognition.
Jesus moves with urgency and discipline — setting His face toward Jerusalem, never drifting from His mission.
He communicates constantly, calling disciples by name and making them better.
Jesus plays defense with purpose — resisting temptation, protecting the vulnerable, guarding what is true.
Jesus dives into the messiness of human life — sinners, lepers, the poor, the broken. Jesus leaves the 99 for the one lost sheep. The real loose ball on the floor is a lost soul.
Jesus absorbs contact for the good of the team — taking the full weight of sin on the Cross.
Jesus finishes the play, even through suffering: “It is finished.”
Jesus runs toward people, creating space for grace.
He accepts the Father’s will without excuses: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Jesus never whines or blames.
Jesus takes responsibility for a broken world that isn’t His fault — and redeems it.
Jesus puts others first, even washing His disciples’ feet.
Jesus moves immediately to mercy and restoration.
Jesus is hard to play against and easy to play with.
Jesus treats every person as important.
And Jesus is perfectly faithful, every single day.
So here is my challenge to you this evening.
You are the finest basketball teams in our respective states.
Ranked number one or highly ranked.
Expected to win state championships.
Division I recruits. Division II recruits.
Elite athletes.
But the greatest thing we can do with that talent is not just to win games.
It’s to play the game in a way that is truly tough.
Because when you do, young kids watching you won’t just see a great basketball player.
They’ll see a reflection of Christ in you.
That’s why Catholicism loves sports.
That’s why Catholic schools thrive with sports.
Play tough this evening. Play tough.
Because you have the opportunity to glorify Christ — to reflect Him through toughness on and off the court.
Fr. Ben Daghir
Thank you. You say it so well.