Subscribe to the NCSA BlogWhy NCSA Works So Hard
March 16th, 2009 - byToday ESPN’s Scoop Jackson profiled a young Chicago basketball player struggling with the recruiting process. Its stories like this that motivate us at NCSA to help student athletes and families navigate the recruiting process.
In the Chicago area, specifically, situations like Emil’s happen every year. Part of it is the way the system is set up. Part of it has to do with the high school coaches. Part of it has to do with the politics of each particular city. Part of it has to do with the cards life has dealt the kid … and his parents.
Said Clyde Travis, a sportswriter for the Sun-Times: “Parents come to me all of the time concerned about their kids and asking questions why colleges aren’t calling. In my 29 years of covering [high school basketball], I can tell you that if you ask ten top Division I coaches about a kid they don’t know about or haven’t heard of, the first question that is going to come out of their mouths is, ‘Who else is recruiting him?’ They assume that instead of a kid just being under the radar that if no one else is recruiting him, something must be wrong with the kid. It’s like, ‘If someone else doesn’t want him, why should I?’ And Emil Clayton is one of those kids. He’s great academically, can run a mid-to-lower major D-I team or be a star at a D-II, can shoot and handle the ball, but he doesn’t pass the look test. When I say that, I mean that at first look, he’s not going to blow you away. But real college coaches should be able to see through that.”
I hope this post reaches Emil soon, we definitely would like to help.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I also think that it is important for the athlete to show that they are actually interested in a school or schools by attending games, scrimmages or junior days. I have found that some colleges may mark a student off their list simply because the athlete has shown them “no” interest.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Great Point. Recently my daughter visited a D-I school in the the northeast during an open house. A very highly regarded academic institution..She met with the head coach ,whom was cordial and “modestly interested”. He claimed that he recruits from all over the country,ie,California and Texas. Upon departure he asked “who else is recruiting you?” My daughter named a few great D-I programs,then lastly mentioned this schools “arch-rivel”. WELL….his attitude changed completely . He said he can’t possibly see everyone and suggested she come to the school to work out with the team,send her skills video and also wanted her travel team schedule. Big attitude change!!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
so what do we do if we don’t pass the looks test how do we get noticed cause i’m just starting to get questionnaires and i’m not getting any calls
April 15th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
so what do we do if we don’t pass the looks test how do we get noticed cause i’m not getting any calls
April 15th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Sean, be sure to get evaluated by one of our scouts to gauge your true recruiting potential.