If you are interested in playing college basketball, you may be wondering how to get recruited. Most players start the process in ninth grade, and start contacting college coaches around fourteen to fifteen years old. It is important to remember that recruiting coaches look at the whole package, not just the basketball skills, so it is crucial to maintain high grades, SAT/ACT scores, and good references while playing. You also need to show that you can meet deadlines.
Academics are the most important aspect of your recruitment process
Regardless of your athletic skills, academics are a vital part of the recruiting process. College athletics provide various forms of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and endowed funds. Even work-study opportunities are available, and good academics are crucial to landing on campus. The ACT/SAT college entrance exam plays a vital role in landing opportunities on college campuses, and thousands of talented players have been shut out due to their poor academics.
While college coaches look at many different factors, academics are one of the most important aspects of the recruitment process. The majority of college coaches base their decisions on student-athletes’ test scores and grades. A high academic profile is a sign of a student’s academic potential, as a student athlete putting in the necessary time in the classroom is also likely to excel in practice and on the court. Because of the increasing competition among athletic departments, it’s vital to have a strong academic profile and to demonstrate that you are a good student.
Contribution is key to getting recruited for college basketball
One of the best ways to get noticed by college coaches is to send them highlight videos of your game. Most coaches will watch a small portion of your game and will likely only watch your best plays. Using highlight videos to show college coaches your abilities is a great way to make yourself stand out in a crowd of recruits. Below are a few tips for sending college coaches your highlight videos. All of these tips can help you make yourself stand out in a crowd of recruits.
The first step in the recruiting process is to research colleges that offer basketball programs. Once you have done your research, create a list of twenty or thirty schools. Consider the size, academics, and social life of each school. As the recruiting process goes on, the list will shrink. Depending on your skill level, you can even combine recruiting with your academics. Once you have a list of schools, make sure to visit those that seem the most appealing.
While playing in AAU is not a necessity to get recruited, it will be beneficial to your application process. While Kobe Bryant and other successful NBA players did not participate in the AAU circuit until their senior year, it is very important for you to do so in order to be considered for a college basketball scholarship. By playing on the AAU circuit, coaches will get to know you as a student, not just as a basketball player.
After contacting colleges, you should send a highlight tape that showcases your best game highlights. Be sure to include game film as well. Most coaches are busy with other recruits and aren’t going to have time to review game film of non-blue-chip prospects. Remember that you must stand out from other student-athletes to be noticed by a college coach. Be courteous, polite, and have fun during the process.
Highlight tape is a great way to get noticed by college coaches
While college coaches watch highlight videos and full game films of athletes, they also look at the player’s highlight tape. They will also visit a live game if they have the time. However, the highlight tape is only as good as the content, so make sure you follow these guidelines to make it as effective as possible. The first rule of making a highlight tape is to keep it short, preferably under 5 minutes. An athlete should avoid including extra special effects as it might interfere with their evaluation of your talent.
The highlight tape you submit should showcase your best plays. Do not make it too long; most coaches will not watch a whole highlight tape. But if the coach likes what they see, they’ll want to see more film. Ideally, the highlight tape should be uploaded to a video-hosting site such as YouTube, and emailed to the coach. A highlight tape will allow the college coach to get an idea of your potential and determine whether you’re a good fit.
The music on the highlight video should be appropriate for the age of the player. Most coaches watch highlight videos on mute. The Super Mario Brothers theme song won’t get their attention, while a N.W.A song wouldn’t be appropriate for a staff meeting. Moreover, the music used shouldn’t be too loud. Make sure the music is appropriate for the age group that you’re targeting, and avoid using songs that contain inappropriate lyrics or innuendos.
A highlight video is a great way to get noticed by a college coach. College coaches usually have a limited amount of time to watch every prospective recruit in person. Highlight videos help coaches assess your athletic ability after two or three plays, and they’re the most effective way to get noticed by a college coach. They also make a great tool for athletes to share with college coaches. A highlight video can be used to show your best game film or highlight your most impressive play on the field.
The highlight video should not be too long – it should be three to four minutes long and feature various clips of your performance. This way, college coaches will have enough time to watch the whole video. Coaches look for several key elements when viewing a highlight video. The video should include basic contact information, so that the coach can reach you. The video should not contain background music, as it can distract them.
Building a relationship with college coaches
During the recruiting process, athletes should build a relationship with college coaches to be considered for a scholarship. Once they have narrowed down their target list, they should contact each coach individually to introduce themselves and share important information. Once the first contact is made, follow up with a phone call or email to ensure they’re still interested in speaking with you. If the college coach declines to contact you, move on to the next school on your list.
The first step in the recruiting process is to research colleges and make a list of about twenty to thirty schools. When creating this list, consider academics, size, and social life. As you continue to research schools, your list will become smaller. After that, you’ll begin contacting them and asking for a meeting. Remember that you’ll be recruiting for many years. During this time, be consistent with your communication efforts and work hard to build a relationship with them.
After reaching out to college coaches, students should send an updated highlight tape and GPA to their desired schools. It’s also a good idea to respond to all communications. A coach’s response to a student’s communication shows that he or she values the athlete’s input. After all, they are busy and are likely to have a lot of other things on their plates.
It’s also important to make your school aware of any events that will help you build a relationship with them. Many coaches dislike players who refuse offers or refuse to play in college. Many coaches assume that parents will coach them from the stands, stunting recruiting efforts. In order to improve your chances of being recruited, consider joining a program like PGC Basketball. PGC Basketball provides intensive training for its players and teaches them how to become a coach on the court.
Developing a relationship with college coaches takes time, but it pays off. By establishing a rapport, you’ll be able to get an invitation to an audition and a scholarship. Once you’ve made contact, send them an email or highlight video of your best games and how you’re preparing to play in college. Be honest and professional when communicating with college coaches to make your dreams come true.
