--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think sportsmanship is knowing that it…" description: "\"I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png" --- # I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that… ![“I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.” quote by Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png) > “I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.” [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True sportsmanship means treating the game seriously, respecting opponents, and giving full effort regardless of outcome. **In simple terms:** Play hard, respect opponents, give all. Key Takeaway Commit fully, win or lose. Themes sportsmanship effort respect competition Mood motivational reflective Type athletic ethical When to use this quote - coaching sessions - team practices - competitive events - personal training plans Key Concepts fair play personal excellence team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What does giving 100% look like for you? - How does respecting opponents improve performance? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on winning can undermine spirit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Sportsmanship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sportsmanship/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Win or lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win-or-lose/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes I think sportsmanship is a little bit forgotten in place of the individual attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/sometimes-i-think-sportsmanship-is-a-little-bit-forgotten-in-place-of/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [“True sportsmanship is… Knowing that you need your opponent because without him or her, there is no game. Acknowledging that your opponent holds the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/true-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-you-need-your-opponent-because/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [A book is made better by good readers and clearer by good opponents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/a-book-is-made-better-by-good-readers-and-clearer-by-good-opponents/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The more work you put in, and the more you constantly and consistently give good performances against good opponents and constantly exceed people's expectations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sami-zayn/the-more-work-you-put-in-and-the-more-you-constantly-and-consistently/) [Sami Zayn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sami-zayn/) > [“A good book is made better by good readers and clearer by good opponents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/a-good-book-is-made-better-by-good-readers-and-clearer-by-good/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I've always looked out for big-name opponents since my debut and I plan on doing the same at 155: aim for big fights, good opponents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renato-moicano/i-ve-always-looked-out-for-big-name-opponents-since-my-debut-and-i/) [Renato Moicano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renato-moicano/) > [Especially in the Champions League there are many very good opponents. It is all about taking one game at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansi-flick/especially-in-the-champions-league-there-are-many-very-good-opponents/) [Hansi Flick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansi-flick/) > [I think playing the way I played, and knowing the game the way I know it, I think I'm going to have a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pronger/i-think-playing-the-way-i-played-and-knowing-the-game-the-way-i-know/) [Chris Pronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pronger/) > [I think when you've got the dog, you're just born with it, really. The way I was raised in football, you had to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-bellingham/i-think-when-you-ve-got-the-dog-you-re-just-born-with-it-really-the/) [Jude Bellingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-bellingham/) > [With time, I am knowing my game better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shikhar-dhawan/with-time-i-am-knowing-my-game-better/) [Shikhar Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shikhar-dhawan/) > [It comes with experience and learning and knowing the game. It's not necessarily about sticking your chest out and saying, 'I'm tough.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/it-comes-with-experience-and-learning-and-knowing-the-game-it-s-not/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [I have the confidence knowing if the game is on I can win the big events. That's a massive difference. Until you've done it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-fleetwood/i-have-the-confidence-knowing-if-the-game-is-on-i-can-win-the-big/) [Tommy Fleetwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-fleetwood/) > [That's the biggest difference from college to NFL. Everybody's so talented at this level, the difference is knowing the game - knowing where to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baker-mayfield/that-s-the-biggest-difference-from-college-to-nfl-everybody-s-so/) [Baker Mayfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baker-mayfield/) > [“Because you don't spend so many decades in someone's house without knowing their game.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-nayeri/because-you-don-t-spend-so-many-decades-in-someone-s-house-without/) [Daniel Nayeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-nayeri/) > [Sometimes, you can be your own thing that hurts you. It's you. It's like knowing too much of the game when really all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrell-suggs/sometimes-you-can-be-your-own-thing-that-hurts-you-it-s-you-it-s-like/) [Terrell Suggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrell-suggs/) ## More by Sue Wicks > [For me, the money isn't a big issue. I'm at the end of my career and I'm just happy to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/for-me-the-money-isn-t-a-big-issue-i-m-at-the-end-of-my-career-and-i/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [You have to demand things and believe you're worth more. And once you do demand them, you're usually going to get them. The players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/you-have-to-demand-things-and-believe-you-re-worth-more-and-once-you/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [To be on television and have my nieces and nephews see me, and seeing them wear my shirt to the games and be proud,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/to-be-on-television-and-have-my-nieces-and-nephews-see-me-and-seeing/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [Sometimes people think that if you're always helping people up and never hit someone with a hard foul, you're automatically a good sport. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/sometimes-people-think-that-if-you-re-always-helping-people-up-and/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [There's lots of charity stuff that I can do. There are actually a million things to do here, but it would be very hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/there-s-lots-of-charity-stuff-that-i-can-do-there-are-actually-a/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [Players should know that if you can't make the contribution of the winning shot, that your attitude every day when you come to practice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/players-should-know-that-if-you-can-t-make-the-contribution-of-the/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [It's not to hurt anyone, but basketball can be rough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/it-s-not-to-hurt-anyone-but-basketball-can-be-rough/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [For me, being a starter doesn't matter. Of course, I'd like to be in at the end of the game, to be a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/for-me-being-a-starter-doesn-t-matter-of-course-i-d-like-to-be-in-at/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [When I see these young girls who are dreaming the dream that I'm living, it's very very exciting and it puts a big smile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/when-i-see-these-young-girls-who-are-dreaming-the-dream-that-i-m/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [Once you know what to expect, it gets easier and easier. And now I know what I have to do to prepare for each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/once-you-know-what-to-expect-it-gets-easier-and-easier-and-now-i-know/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [You shouldn't just work on your jump shot. You should work on being a better person, a better teammate, and a better friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/you-shouldn-t-just-work-on-your-jump-shot-you-should-work-on-being-a/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [I'd like to coach the Liberty. That's my dream. But maybe I'd coach a college team. Either way, I'd like to stay involved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-d-like-to-coach-the-liberty-that-s-my-dream-but-maybe-i-d-coach-a/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [Being from New York, if you're gay, you're gay. I think it's important that if you are gay, you not be afraid to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/being-from-new-york-if-you-re-gay-you-re-gay-i-think-it-s-important/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [I was surprised I won the award because I've always been a very aggressive player and I earn my share of fouls on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-was-surprised-i-won-the-award-because-i-ve-always-been-a-very/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) > [There's a lot of room to grow, and the women who believe they're worth it are the ones who are going to make good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/there-s-a-lot-of-room-to-grow-and-the-women-who-believe-they-re-worth/) [Sue Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) [Explore all 26 Sue Wicks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sue Wicks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it-is-a-game-that-we-are-only/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it-is-a-game-that-we-are-only/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/sue-wicks-23144_basketball_i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it_465365.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether…” — Sue Wicks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sue Wicks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-wicks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think sportsmanship is knowing that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it-is-a-game-that-we-are-only/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-wicks/i-think-sportsmanship-is-knowing-that-it-is-a-game-that-we-are-only/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```