How to play like a pro: Gatorade ambassador Scottie Thompson shares his top tips

Ginebra shooting guard Scottie ‘The Hustle Man’ Thompson knows a thing or two about working his way to the top. At 24 years old, he is playing for one of the country’s most loved basketball teams and is already making a mark that he’s been dubbed one of the PBA’s fastest rising stars.

On the side, Scottie has shown a flair for entrepreneurship. He has his own barbershop—Thompson’s Sports Hair Shop; Wok Your Way, an Asian food stall; and a Pound for Pound Gym franchise.

You’re probably wondering: What’s the secret to his success?

Wonder no more. Here are top tips from The Hustle Man himself on how to play like a pro.

• Learn from the best. When it comes to Gatorade ambassadors, Scottie looks up to the one and only, Michael Jordan, whose passion for the game and resilience amid challenges inspire future stars like Scottie.

And just like Jordan, Scottie is well on his way to defying odds and setting records. In a Game 3 win versus San Miguel Beermen during the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup, Scottie tallied a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. This was the first time a rookie has done the feat since Johnny “The Flying A” Abarrientos, the shortest player (at 5”7) to win PBA MVP, did so 23 years ago.

• Hydrate. Just as important as good nutrition is proper hydration. Proper hydration enables top-caliber athletes like Scottie to stay on top of their game especially during crucial moments of competition. Hydration also allows athletes to recover properly after physically demanding workouts or contests.

• Practice, practice, practice. Like any top athlete, Scottie understands one fundamental truth—there are no shortcuts to success. You have to put in the long hours and the hard work. You have to make the most out of every opportunity, just like Scottie did when he helped the Hapee Fresh Fighters win their first ever PBA D-League title.

“Scottie has demonstrated remarkable athletic talent and elite level skills in his young basketball career,” Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Gatorade IC Sta. Maria said. “His relentless desire to succeed, on and off the court, is a valuable trait that all our Gatorade ambassadors share. We’re confident that he will inspire young athletes, especially in understanding the value of proper hydration in fueling sports greatness.”