WESTON, Mass. — Rick Costa loves everything about basketball. Starting at five years old, Rick has played town, school, and club basketball, and currently is captain of the Weston High School (WHS) Boys Varsity team. He also plays for Team Spartans National during the club season.

Rick’s shooting skills are legendary on the team, earning him the trust of his teammates that he is one of their go-to shooters. His ability to sink baskets from anywhere on the court has solidified his role as a top scorer on the WHS team.

Rick’s skills and dedication have not gone unnoticed. He is a two-time DCL All-Star Honorable Mention (as a freshman and sophomore) and was recognized as a Boston Globe 2023 High School Player to Watch.

Moreover, Rick has been instrumental in propelling his team to the playoffs both last season and the current one, underscoring his invaluable contributions to their success.

Congrats, Rick!

Interview with Rick:

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?

Rick Costa: I would like to be a 1,000-point scorer in high school and play college basketball.

What do you love about your sport?

Costa: I love the daily challenges that basketball presents. Each time I play, there is an opportunity to conquer obstacles, which pushes me to learn different techniques that prove valuable both on and off the court. Additionally, basketball is something I can always do and that is always available to me, which makes me love it.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Costa: My primary hurdle is staying consistent. To address this, I try to follow a dedicated practice and workout schedule to the best of my ability. Getting as many reps with the ball as I can enables me to perform under pressure during games, because my body instinctively knows what to do.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Costa: In order to make a breakthrough in your sport, you must conquer the mental aspect, and everything else will fall in line.

Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?

Costa: I always have a small piece of candy before a game for a sugar kick. I also pray before every game.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Costa: Once, I turned the ball over late into a close game, which led to the other team making a basket. I had to put this mistake out of my mind, and then I hit a buzzer-beater shot to send the game to overtime, where we won the game.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

Costa: I like to hang out with my friends, as well as play guitar and sports video games.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Costa: Being a member of a team has taught me to be flexible and open to do things that I may feel uncomfortable doing, because it is what’s best for my team.

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