By Simone Sanchez Peter Sposito and Jacob Theodosiou are elite athletes playing Division I basketball for the Loyola Greyhounds, but hoops hasn’t been their sole focus.   Sposito, a senior, balanced basketball, football, and baseball growing up in Glastonbury, Conn. Theodosiou, a juni or guard who played in all 31 games his sophomore season, played soccer as a kid in Ontario.  Looking back, they credit their multi-sport backgrounds, and the way it kept them healthy and injury free, as a major reason for why they were able to stay on the court, continue developing, and ultimately succeed at the highest collegiate level. But they may be exceptions to the rule. Early sport specialization, focusing on one sport year-round, is a growing trend nationwide, fueled by competitive travel teams and the pursuit of college scholarships. But the shift often comes with high financial costs and increased risks. Research shows young athletes who specialize early are more prone to overuse injuries and burnout, while multi-sport participation is linked to better long-term health and development. In a single year, more than 3.5 million children under 15 were treated for sports-related injuries, with nearly half caused by overuse, as stated by Safe Kids USA. As adults chase the dream of developing the next superstar, many young athletes are pushed past their physical and emotional limits.  Mark Hyman, journalist and author of “Until it Hurts,”  a book about the country’s obsession with youth sports, says that the specialization phenomenon, from his perspective, is creating athletes who are technically advanced but also more vulnerable. “If you do something over and over all year, you’re going to become more skilled,” Hyman said. “These athletes are ahead of previous generations from a technical standpoint. They’ve received better coaching, practice more often, play longer seasons, and often are members of travel or club teams where competition is more intense.” However, that constant repetition comes at a cost. According to Hyman, the same athletes who specialize early are also “at higher risk of injury resulting from overuse” and “more likely to suffer burnout.” Many eventually drop out of sports altogether, often before reaching their potential. The connection between sports injuries and early specialization versus multi-sport participation has long been a point of debate among athletes, coaches, parents, and fans alike, as each side weighs the benefits of focused training against the risks that come with it. Studies from Johns Hopkins Medicine indicate that young athletes who compete more than eight months a year are significantly more likely to suffer overuse injuries, and rates of serious injuries have steadily increased among high school athletes. As a result, more young players are being sidelined by injuries once primarily seen in much older competitors. While some argue that specializing in a single sport early sharpens skills and gives athletes an “edge,” others see it as narrowing not only athletic development but also long-term health. Many of these concerns are now echoed by experts who have observed youth and collegiate athletics evolve over decades. Theodosiou’s experience reflects a more balanced approach. He grew up playing both basketball and soccer before choosing to specialize later in high school. “Playing multiple sports really helped me become the player I am today. Using footwork skills from soccer and translating it to basketball made a big difference,” he said. Theodosiou explained that he never felt forced to specialize early, but acknowledged that at a certain point, focusing on one sport becomes necessary for athletes with high-level goals. “I’d recommend playing multiple sports when you’re younger,” he said. “Then once you decide what you want to do, start to specialize. I think all kids should play multiple sports to start, just for different learning experiences.” That sentiment aligns closely with what many researchers and youth sports advocates argue: early diversification builds coordination, adaptability, and resilience, while reducing repetitive strain on the same muscles and joints. Sposito shared a similar background, growing up playing basketball, football, and baseball. He believes multi-sport participation helped him both physically and mentally. “Physically it keeps you in shape all year round,” Sposito said. “And for your confidence, being good at one sport builds your confidence to be good at another sport. It makes me play more freely and have the courage to take over.” Yet, he also experienced the pressure that often pushes young athletes toward specialization. In high school, he felt torn between his personal ambition to play college basketball and the guidance of adults around him. His parents “always encouraged me to play more than one sport so I didn’t put all my eggs in one basket.” Looking back, Sposito says that encouragement was critical. He believes playing other sports ultimately made him a better basketball player, not a worse one. Hyman notes that this pressure from parents, coaches, clubs, as well as scholarship expectations has existed for generations, even if it feels more intense today.  “How long should something be happening before it stops being a trend?” he said. “Adults pushing children in sports has been going on for 75 years or more.” Researching his book , Hyman uncovered a journal article published in 1932 warning that sports specialization causes young athletes to “lose adaptability.” Nearly a century later, the same concerns remain. Many parents overestimate their child’s future in sports, Hyman explained. While a small percentage earn college scholarships, NIL opportunities, or professional contracts, the vast majority do not. Still, the emotional rewards of youth sports success can cloud long-term judgment. “Many parents believe that the more a child plays a sport, the better they’ll become. But more isn’t better. Specialization isn’t better than playing three sports or more. There’s lots of research to support that,” he said. At the collegiate level, opinions appear to remain mixed. While some coaches and recruiters are believed to value multi-sport athletes for their versatility, adaptability, and potentially lower injury risk, others continue to prioritize early specialization and sport-specific development.  Others prioritize sport-specific skill development gained through year-round training. Nearly all, however, acknowledge that the rising frequency of injuries among younger athletes is a growing concern. Interestingly, Sposito offers a subtle perspective on injury prevention. While he values multi-sport participation, he also believes that long-term training can help athletes better understand their bodies. “I think kids training to play sports for a longer period of time tend to be more capable of avoiding injuries and recovering faster,” he said. “There’s pros and cons to everything.” Ultimately, the debate over sports specialization is not about eliminating ambition, but about protecting longevity. Early specialization may produce short-term gains, but it can also limit physical health, enjoyment, and long-term participation in sports. For athletes like Theodosiou and Sposito, the ability to reach Division I basketball was shaped not by doing less, but by doing more movement, more variety, and more freedom to grow before narrowing their focus. As youth sports continue to evolve, their experiences serve as a reminder that development is not necessarily a race, and the healthiest path forward may be the one that allows young athletes to stay in the game longer. ‘Business of Sports’ is a series produced as a senior capstone project by the Loyola University Maryland Department of Communication.s and Media, under the supervision of April Newton. ...read more read less