5 Things High School Basketball Players Need to Do to Get Recruited
Are you a high school basketball player who wants to play in college? If so, then you need to make sure you're doing everything you can to get recruited. The competition is stiff, and there are no guarantees. But if you follow these five pieces of advice, then you'll give yourself the best possible chance of success.
1. Start early
A lot of people think the recruiting process begins in high school. But if you want to give yourself the best possible chance of getting recruited, you need to start much earlier than that. That means getting your name out there when you're still in junior high or even elementary school. Get involved with summer camps and AAU programs. Make sure the right people know who you are.
The earlier you start, the more time you'll have to get noticed by the right people. And that can make all the difference when it comes time to decide which college you're going to play for. So if you're serious about playing college basketball, don't wait until your senior year to start thinking about recruiting. Start now, and give yourself the best possible chance of success.
2. Get good grades
Your grades matter just as much as your athletic ability. Many college coaches won't even consider recruiting a player who doesn't have at least a 3.0 GPA. So hit the books and make sure you're getting good grades in all of your classes. You need to be a student-athlete, not just an athlete. How are you going to get a scholarship if you don't have the grades?
You need to be able to do both, and you need to put in the work. It's not going to be easy, but it's worth it. Trust me, I know from experience. I was a Division I athlete and I also had a 4.0 GPA. So if I can do it, you can do it too. Just remember your grades matter just as much as your athletic ability.
3. Play up your strengths
There are hundreds of thousands of high school basketball players vying for attention from college coaches. So what makes you stand out from the crowd? Figure out what your strengths are and make sure the coaches know about them. Whether it's your outside shooting, your ball-handling skills, or your defensive intensity, find a way to put yourself on their radar.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you're standing out from the pack. First, make sure your highlight reel is top-notch. College coaches are inundated with film, so you need to make sure yours is something they'll want to watch. Second, reach out to the coaches directly and introduce yourself.
They may not remember every player they see, but they'll remember the ones who take the initiative to contact them. Finally, be persistent. If you don't hear back from a coach after reaching out, don't be afraid to reach out again. They're busy people, and it may take a few tries to get their attention. But if you want to play at the next level, it's worth it to put in the extra effort.
4. Be patient
The recruiting process can be grueling, especially if you don't hear back from a coach right away. But don't get too discouraged. College coaches receive thousands of emails and phone calls every day, so it might take a while for them to get back to you even if they're interested in recruiting you. Keep working hard and let the process play itself out. Remember, the recruiting process takes time, so don't get too discouraged if you don't hear back from a coach right away (or at all). Keep working hard and let the process play itself out.
College coaches receive thousands of emails and phone calls every day, so it might take a while for them to get back to you even if they're interested in recruiting you. In the meantime, keep your grades up and keep practicing.
The harder you work, the better your chances of getting recruited. And who knows? Maybe the coach who finally does call will be the one who believes in you and is willing to give you a chance to succeed at the next level. So don't give up. The recruiting process takes time, but it's worth it in the end.
5 Keep your options open
When it comes to choosing a college, it's important to keep your options open. You may have your heart set on playing for a specific school, but it's important to wait until you receive an offer from that school (or another one) before making your commitment.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a college, and you don't want to get stuck at a school that's not the right fit for you athletically or academically. So take the time to listen to what all of the schools have to say before making your decision. It's also important to consider the financial implications of your choice.
Make sure you understand the cost of attendance and the scholarship offered by each school before making your final decision. By keeping your options open and doing your research, you'll be able to choose the college that's the best fit for you.
Conclusion
The recruiting process is competitive and there are no guarantees. But if you start early, get good grades, play up your strengths, be patient, and keep your options open, then you'll give yourself the best shot at getting recruited to play college basketball.