Depends on how and what you are comparing to with a Basketball player.
For example.
"His lay up was so perfect it was like he the best basketball player ever to make such a shot."
there is no "the cat jumped like a basketball player" simile in Tom Sawyer. I checked. that chapter about Tom giving Peter the painkiller is on pages 116-123
The job description of a basketball player is to perform at his best. Like actors, their job is to perform.
my romodel best basketball player
for sure it Micheal Jordan i mean everybody knows that he is like the best basketball player ever I've always dreamed to be a basketball player
A simile.
The basketball is an airplane,It flies down the court headingStraight for the basket.The basketball is like a heartbeatPounding rhythmically on theGymnasium floor.The basketball is as smooth as butterAs it slides out of my hands andInto the basket.
A simile compares two subjects directly, using the words like or as to create the visual comparison.
To become the best you have to play like the best,belive your the best, and practice like the best also never give up Michael Jordan never gave up
comparing two things using like or as.
A metaphor
Michael Jordan
simile its a simile when you use "like"