What Every High School Basketball Player Needs to Know about the Recruiting Process
The recruiting process for high school basketball players can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With a little bit of know-how, you can put yourself in a great position to get recruited by the college of your choice. Here are four things every high school basketball player needs to know about the recruiting process.
1. Get your grades up.
This one should go without saying, but your grades are the first thing college coaches will look at when they're considering you for a spot on their team. If your grades aren't up to par, you're not going to get recruited, no matter how good you are on the court. Make sure you're getting good grades in all of your classes, not just phys ed.
A lot of students think they can slack off in their other classes and still get recruited, but that's just not the case. College coaches want to see that you're a well-rounded student who is capable of succeeding in all areas of your life. So if you're serious about playing college basketball, make sure your grades are a priority. It could be the difference between getting a scholarship and riding the bench.
2. Start attending camps and showcase events.
College coaches want to see you in person so they can assess your skills and athleticism. There are tons of different camps and showcase events held throughout the country; try to attend as many as you can. Many of these events will also have scouts in attendance, so it's a great way to get your name out there. The more exposure you can get, the better your chances of getting recruited. So put yourself out there and don't be afraid to hustle!
3. Get your highlight reel together.
If you're a high school basketball player and you're not making highlight reels, you're doing it wrong. In today's recruiting landscape, coaches are looking for any edge they can get, and a well-crafted highlight reel can be the difference between getting recruited and being left on the sidelines.
But it's not enough to just put together a montage of your best plays - your reel needs to be high quality and give coaches a sense of who you are as a player. And don't forget to include a personal statement letting them know what kind of person you are off the court. With so much riding on your highlight reel, it's worth taking the time to make sure it's perfect.
4. Stay in touch with college coaches.
As any basketball player looking to get recruited to play college ball knows, catching a coach's attention is only half the battle. The other half is staying in touch with them so they don't forget about you. Send them updates on your progress, both on and off the court, and let them know if you'll be attending any upcoming camps or showcase events. With a little bit of hard work and some persistence, you'll be well on your way to getting recruited to play college basketball!
Conclusion
The recruiting process for high school basketball players can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With a little bit of know-how and some hard work, you can put yourself in a great position to get recruited by the college of your choice. Just remember to keep your grades up, attend as many camps and showcase events as possible, put together a killer highlight reel, and stay in touch with coaches once they start showing interest. Do all of that, and you'll be well on your way to playing college ball!