Things to Know in Basketball Recruiting

Finding a basketball scholarship can be a difficult process, but NCSA knows exactly which steps need to be taken to give you the best shot during the complicated basketball recruiting process.

When does the basketball recruiting process start?

1. The basketball recruiting process started yesterday. You don’t have to look far on the Internet to find lists of basketball prospects that are still in junior high. Ideally, you should begin your basketball recruiting process in the seventh or eighth grade, and by the beginning of freshman year you should have a good understanding of the NCAA rules and core course requirements. Waiting until the last minute isn’t a good idea if you’re looking for a basketball scholarship. Don’t rely on a buzzer beater when it comes to recruiting for basketball.

How do I get discovered?

2. College coaches find basketball recruits based on third-party evaluations from a trusted neutral source like NCSA. You can routinely bury three-pointers. You’re an excellent ball handler in transition. Or, you’re a monster under the hoop. Having the skill on the court doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be spotted by college basketball programs. College coaches work with experienced scouts to identify and discover top basketball prospects using online tools from a trusted resource like NCSA.

How do coaches evaluate prospects?

3. Make sure coaches see your highlight video and use the Internet as your main basketball recruiting tool. College coaches rely on highlight videos to determine talent. But coaches don’t have the time to look at every video they receive, and they certainly can’t search through hours of highlights on YouTube. When a highlight video comes from a trusted recruiting expert at NCSA, that video won’t get lost in the shuffle. Easy access to video highlights and statistics posted on NCSA lets coaches find players that fit their system. Showcasing your skills on the Internet makes the basketball recruiting process easier for both you and the basketball coaches you want to impress.

Where am I qualified to play?

4. Less than 1% of the nearly 540,000 student athletes that play high school basketball will play at the Division I level. The majority of college basketball players don’t compete in Division I, so set your expectations accordingly. More than 80% of collegiate basketball players are at the Division II, Division III, NAIA or junior college level. NCSA is an experienced talent evaluator, and can tell you exactly which level you should shoot for and where you’re likely to find the most success.

What is my coach’s role?

5. Your coach can take care of your on-the-court development, but getting a basketball scholarship is your responsibility. Ultimately, your ability on the court is what earns you a basketball scholarship, but the recruiting process requires a lot of work off of the hardwood. Your AAU or high school basketball coach is busy and has too many responsibilities to be able to dedicate the time that the basketball recruiting process requires. There’s a good chance that you’re not the only one on your team who hopes to play college hoops, and having a high school coach manage the recruiting process for several athletes at once is just too much to ask.

Know your stuff?

You’ve got the top five things to know under your belt.

Now find out what you can do to earn an athletic scholrship.

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