By Kevin Agee
Early commitments are a growing trend in the high school basketball community. Many top players are asked to make a verbal commitment prior to their senior year of high school. Some prospects have even made a collegiate decision by sophomore year. The early commitment process puts a strain on high school student-athletes and on the coaches who recruit them.
Some athletes prefer to end the recruiting process as quickly as possible. When an athlete has a clear picture of what they want in a college/university, their decision may be easy. If an athlete makes a verbal commitment before junior or senior year, their recruiting process is cut short and they spare months of hard work and worry. Many families take unofficial visits as early as freshman year to ensure that they will be prepared in case a verbal offer is extended. Once a student has made a verbal commitment they can fully concentrate on other areas, such as being a teenager.
On the flip side, some high school basketball players are overwhelmed with pressure from college coaches, and are forced into making a decision that is not right for them in the long run. When a prospect is not informed about their options, it is hard to determine which college/university is the right fit. Size, location and majors are all factors that should be evaluated before a commitment is made, not after. Underclassmen and their families must use foresight before making a commitment, because it is often hard to tell how a student-athlete’s wants and needs may change between sophomore and senior year of high school. Some families are intimidated by making such an important decision before their athlete has fully developed, and therefore choose to delay their commitment. Even when an athlete commits early, the college coach must still keep their eyes open. It is not uncommon for a prospect to change their mind before the official signing date, and because their commitment was not officially in writing they are not bound to anything.
It is always wise for student-athletes and their families to do their due diligence before making a verbal commitment. Finding the right college or university takes time, experience and a lot of homework. There is no greater feeling than finding that perfect college match, and if the pieces fall into place early in the process families can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if an athlete is not comfortable with their options they should hesitate, rather than jump into something that might be a mistake.
