College Basketball Recruiting – Basics
The college basketball recruiting process has changed over the last 20 years, and most parents and/or players will need to be “up to speed” on these very important changes. As a parent you need to understand the basics of the basketball recruiting process prior to starting. Not understanding these basics can cause “road blocks” (which wastes the players time, and the parents money). Also, players must understand that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to play college basketball. College Basketball Recruiting – The Basics will point you in the right direction.
IMPORTANT! CHECK OUT SUGGESTED ON LINE RECRUITING SERVICES HERE!
Disclaimer: As much as we try to keep up with the NCAA links below – we can’t help that the NCAA is constantly changing links (it appears that they are changing them every other month). We will make consistent attempts to update all the links as necessary, but you may have to do some research to locate updated links, forms, and new updated NCAA recruiting process information.
A few Myths pertaining to College Basketball Recruiting…
MYTH # 1
College coach’s are going to show up at high school games and offer scholarships.
Although this was certainly the case many years ago, this has changed. College coach’s from time to time may show up at a high school game, but mostly to see that one “superstar” player (or 6ft player) that is making all the headlines. Colleges located fairly close to a high school may visit frequently? Or not? These days, college coach’s have a new venue to see high school players, and its called the “Showcase.”
Think about this: Are most college coach’s going to make a 4-5 hour trip (during their season) to see 1 player play in their high school game, or make a 4-5 hour trip to see 100 players play at a showcase? Times have changed, and now parents and players must change the way they prepare themselves for the challenge of landing a college basketball scholarship.
MYTH #2
My High School coach did not get me a basketball scholarship, it’s all the coach’s fault!
Wrong – High school coach’s may not have access to information regarding college showcases, and even if they did, there is also the chance that a coach may not feel that they have any players that are capable of playing basketball at the college level…
* Always stay in communication with your High School and AAU coach’s – keep them up to speed on your basketball goals and intentions. Discuss how they can assist with helping you to get an athletic scholarship. High School coach’s are obligated to assist talented players with moving on to the next level (if this is not happening, you should have a discussion with your schools athletic director and ask them about it).
Players should not leave their basketball dreams in the hands of any coach that does not believe in them! You must understand that there are many high school coach’s that will work very hard to assist their players to the fullest to play college basketball, but also be aware that there are some that may not? Take control of your basketball future, get involved in the basketball recruiting process…
The bottom line: It is the players responsibility to discipline themselves to work extremely hard at becoming the best basketball player that they can be, and the parents responsibility must be to support the player – both financially and physically (help catch rebounds, drive them to workouts, etc). Having the information to assist you with a basic understanding of how the basketball recruiting process works will only help players reach their goals quicker (or at least allow players to give it their best shot).
Do you know where you need to be at this point?
Answer these questions:
What is your age? ________________
What grade are you in? ___________
Have you attended any college showcases? Yes or No?
Do you know what a college showcase is? Yes or No?
Are you a starter on your High School or AAU team? Yes or No?
How many letters have you mailed to colleges? ____________
Do you know the purpose of the NCAA Eligibility Center? Yes or No
Now, click on the link below to the file “When to Start – Checklist” to give yourself an idea of where you need to be in the basketball recruiting process, and when you need to be there!
Recruiting Information – Click Here!
What should I be doing?
Click on the link below to the file “Checklist – Do this now” to evaluate exactly where you should be at this point in the basketball recruiting process, and what you you need to do to get on track!
Checklist – Do This ASAP – Handout
Evaluations:
One of the most important steps that a player can take is to get a professional evaluation. Yes, there are plenty of ex-College / NBA / WNBA players that evaluate prospective basketball players for a living; they are called “Personal Trainers.” It is very important for players to get a “professional” opinion from a “professional” player. Why? The sooner a player understands what they need to work on, the faster they can reach their goals of playing at the college level. Personal trainers are becoming more and more important to players trying to make it to the college level – Check out our “Personal Trainers” Menu Page – Click Here! for additional information about this subject.
How do Coach’s find Players? Players find Coach’s?
How Coaches find the players they need?
It’s called college basketball recruiting! Recruiting is the “heart and soul” of a college basketball program. Coach’s have to make recruiting a high priority and work hard to get the best players into their programs. Coach’s use every available resource – Scouting Reports, Visits, Showcases, Camps, Word of Mouth, and I would imagine Social Media is a big resource for recruiting.
How do players put themselves in a position for coach’s to find them?
It’s called promoting / marketing yourself! Players must let coach’s know that they are out there. Players that take control of their own destiny increase their chances of landing a college scholarship (or at least are giving it everything they have). Sitting back and waiting for college coach’s to find you while other players are contacting coach’s may put you at a disadvantage.
Additional information on how recruiting works (from the NCAA Website) – “Recruiting Facts / Info?”
The Basketball Recruiting Calendar:
The link below will take you to the page where you can select either the Men’s Division I Basketball Recruiting calendar or the Women’s Division I Recruiting calendar – Go to the NCAA website at NCAA RECRUITING PAGE to find updated basketball recruiting information. Once you get to the NCAA basketball recruiting calendar page, click on either D1 or D2 (Men’s or Women’s) Basketball. It is important to know and understand why, when, and where college coach’s can contact and evaluate players, this information will help you.
* Quiet Period: Coach’s may not have any in-person contact (other than on campus visits by players) or cannot watch the player play or visit a high school game during this time, but can call or write players).
* Evaluation Period: An evaluation is where coach’s watch players practice or compete (this can include a high school game or showcase events), but no in-person or off campus contact is permitted.
* Contact Period: Coach’s may have face to face contact with players away from the college (at the player’s high school or showcase events, etc.).
* Dead Period: Coach’s may not have any in-person contact with a player, but the coach may call or write the player during this period (no official or unofficial campus visits are permitted).
Here are some files that can assist you…
The College Showcase:
The #1 thing that you need to concentrate on and prepare for are College Showcases!
Players must work hard all year round to ensure they are in basketball shape and their skills are sharp! Why pay all that money to attend a showcase and show up unprepared? The most important part of the showcase is the game, and how a player performs. Any player can sign up for a showcase, but if they are not prepared when they show up, it will be a waste of time. Players must do something in the game to catch the attention of the coach’s. It could be defense, post moves, speed, or shooting? It just has to be something that a coach is looking for (and every coach is looking for something different).
Dates / How to find them?
Basketball Recruiting Note. There are only certain months of the year that there will be showcases. Usually during the months of March, July, and September. And then team related showcases during April and May. Depending on what part of the country you live in will depend on how to find them.
To locate more information regarding showcases – Go to our College Showcase Menu Page.
Other Helpful Guides / Files Related to Basketball Recruiting…
NCAA – Guide to College Bound Athlete 2019-2020
Courtesy of the NCAA Website!
Check out this very important download publication available on our Basketball Store!
“Summer Workout for High School Players”
The Off-season and Summer months are the most important times of the basketball season, and critical to the skill development of players hoping to play at the college level some day. There is too much competition out there, and to make it, you must work hard! This Download Booklet is packed with video clips of drills, and ready to use forms.
Info on College Showcases Here
Basketball Recruiting
Scouting Reports