Thinking Basketball – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Thinking Basketball

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2018

82%

WISE Score

665K

Subscribers

Deep-dive NBA analysis that teaches teens (and adults) to watch basketball like a coach—stats, strategy, and high-IQ plays explained.

Thinking Basketball

YouTube

2018

82%

WISE Score

665K

Subscribers

Deep-dive NBA analysis that teaches teens (and adults) to watch basketball like a coach—stats, strategy, and high-IQ plays explained.

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665.0K

Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is already glued to NBA highlights, Thinking Basketball is one of the better YouTube rabbit holes they could fall into. Ben Taylor's channel turns passive watching into active learning—teaching stats, strategy, and pattern recognition through a sport they're already obsessed with.

The videos are substantive without being preachy, and the 10-20 minute format keeps things digestible. That said, this is dense stuff. Kids under 12 will bounce off the jargon, and even teens need a baseline love of basketball to stay engaged.

The YouTube context is the main concern here. Even great educational content contributes to screen time, and one video easily leads to another. But if you're going to let your kid watch basketball content anyway, this is leagues better than hot-take reaction videos or highlight compilations with zero analysis. Just set boundaries and maybe watch a few together—you might actually learn something too.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ who already love basketball and want to level up their understanding of the game. Younger kids (under 12) will find the analytical pace and terminology too dry, while adults who enjoy sports strategy will genuinely appreciate the depth.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Clean, instructional sports content with no profanity, violence, or inappropriate themes. Ben Taylor's narration is measured and educational, modeling analytical thinking and respect for the game. The tone is mature but never chaotic—perfect for teaching patience and strategic reasoning through basketball.

Imaginative

While the channel doesn't invite open-ended creative play, it does spark curiosity about basketball strategy and encourages viewers to see the game through a new lens—analyzing plays, spotting patterns, and understanding the 'why' behind decisions. It's imaginative in the sense of reframing how you watch sports, but it's still fundamentally passive consumption of analysis.

Safe

No gore, mature themes, or surprise content. Comments are enabled but the audience skews older and basketball-focused, keeping toxicity low. The dense jargon might bore younger kids rather than expose them to anything harmful. No manipulative elements—just straightforward educational sports content.

Enriching

Exceptional educational value for basketball fans. Teaches statistical literacy, strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and sports history. The 10-20 minute format is digestible, and the blend of film study with analytics makes complex concepts accessible. For kids who love basketball, this is genuinely enriching—they'll learn to think critically about what they're watching and apply those skills beyond the court.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches statistical literacy and strategic thinking through a sport kids already love
Ben Taylor's clear, instructional narration makes complex basketball theory surprisingly accessible
Videos blend game footage with on-screen graphics—perfect for visual learners who want to understand the 'why' behind plays
662K subscribers and consistent engagement prove this resonates with serious basketball fans
No fluff or clickbait—just substantive analysis that respects the viewer's intelligence

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What to Watch For

Dense jargon and analytical pacing mean kids under 12 will likely tune out—this is for teens who are already invested in basketball
It's still YouTube, so one video can lead to an hour-long rabbit hole if you're not setting boundaries
Comments are on, though the community skews older and basketball-focused rather than toxic

Conversation Starters

"What's one play from your last game that you'd want to break down like Ben does?"
"Do you think stats tell the whole story, or is there stuff that numbers can't capture?"
"Who's the smartest player in the NBA right now, and why?"
"How would you explain a pick-and-roll to someone who's never watched basketball?"