We’ve all been there: you want them outside practicing their layup, but they’re glued to a screen watching "LeBron highlights" or playing a game that looks like a seizure-inducing blur of jerseys.

But here’s the thing—modern basketball is as much about Basketball IQ as it is about vertical leap. Understanding floor spacing, how a pick-and-roll actually works, and why "hero ball" usually leads to a loss are concepts that are often easier to see from a bird's-eye view on a TV than while you're panting on a baseline.

When your kid watches a well-made sports doc or plays a simulation game, they aren't just rotting their brain; they're learning the "why" behind the game. If we’re intentional about what they’re consuming, we can turn that passive screen time into a tactical advantage for their next Saturday morning game.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: NBA 2K25.

If your kid plays this, they probably know more about NBA rosters than a professional scout from 1995. This game is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the tactical learning is insane. To win at higher levels, kids have to learn how to read a defense, call for a screen, and understand player archetypes (e.g., why you don’t pull a three-pointer with a "Glass-Cleaning Finisher").

On the other hand, the "MyCareer" mode is basically a giant ad for microtransactions. They will want "VC" (Virtual Currency) to make their player better. It’s a great chance to talk about the "pay-to-win" nature of modern gaming.

Pro Tip: Encourage them to play "Play Now" or "Eras" mode where they control the whole team. It forces them to see the court as a unit rather than just focusing on one flashy avatar.

Learn about the risks of microtransactions in sports games

If you want something less "sim" and more "fun," the arcade-style classics (or their modern spiritual successors like NBA 2K Playgrounds) are great. They don't teach much strategy, but they build a love for the "vibe" of basketball—the dunks, the "on fire" streaks, and the sheer joy of a 2-on-2 game.

Basketball movies are a dime a dozen, but the ones that actually help a kid play better are the ones that focus on the psychological side of the sport.

This is arguably the best basketball movie of the last decade. Adam Sandler plays a scout who finds a "diamond in the rough" in Spain. Why is this good for your kid? Because it shows the monotony of greatness. There’s a massive montage of the main character doing the same boring drills over and over again. It’s a reality check for the "TikTok highlight" generation: you don’t get the flashy dunk without the 5:00 AM hill sprints.

If your kid is into anime, this is a must-watch. Unlike a lot of sports movies that use "movie magic" for the action, the animation here is technically perfect. You can actually see the footwork, the defensive stances, and the shooting forms. It’s a masterclass in basketball fundamentals disguised as a high-octane anime.

This is the "discipline" movie. It’s about more than just hoops; it’s about the student-athlete balance. If your kid is starting to get "too big for their britches" because they’re the star of their middle school team, sit them down for this. It reinforces that the team is bigger than the individual.

Check out our guide on the best sports movies for middle schoolers

Sometimes, seeing the real-life stakes is what clicks for a young athlete.

This is the Michael Jordan documentary. Warning: there is quite a bit of "locker room language" (it’s TV-MA for a reason), but for a teenager who wants to see what "competitive drive" actually looks like, there is nothing better. It shows that being the best requires a level of intensity that is frankly a little scary. It’s a great conversation starter about leadership styles—was MJ a "good" teammate? Does it matter if you win?

Loosely based on Kevin Durant’s youth basketball experiences, this Apple TV+ show is the most accurate depiction of the modern AAU circuit. It deals with the pressure of rankings, social media "clout," and the business side of youth sports. If your kid is in the "competitive" pipeline, this show will feel very real to them.

This docuseries follows Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice. For any young player—but especially girls—seeing the rise of women’s basketball through the lens of these superstars is incredibly empowering. It highlights the work ethic and the massive pressure of the modern collegiate game.

When we talk about "learning to play" via screens, we have to address the Digital Wellness side of things.

Ask our chatbot about setting up safe gaming boundaries

The goal is to bridge the gap. Instead of saying "Put the controller down," try asking questions that force them to think like a player:

Basketball is a beautiful, complex game. If our kids are going to spend time on screens anyway, let’s steer them toward content that builds their Basketball IQ, reinforces the value of hard work, and shows them that teamwork isn't just a cliché coaches yell—it’s the only way to actually win.

Digital hoops shouldn't replace the physical game, but they can certainly be the "film room" where the next generation of players learns to see the court in 4K.

Ask Screenwise about more age-appropriate sports content