Be proactive in the recruitment process. Being recruited in basketball is not a spectator sport. The process is quick and starts early. Research the schools you’re most interested in, develop a game plan, contact the coaches, attend camps and get your highlight footage ready. Each year is important and showing your potential college coaches good work in the classroom, persistence in staying in touch with them and strengthening your skills will be important.
Freshmen Year
- Research 2-3 schools per week
- Create a list of 50-100 prospective schools consider both athletics and academics
- Look into joining an AAU team
- Film highlights tape
- Send introduction letters to coaches
- Go on unofficial visits to colleges
- Build relationships by making phone calls, send letters and emails
- Attend camps with the goals of honing your skills and to gain exposure
Rules/Tips to Remember:
- Coaches are watching your development throughout high school at camps, in school and on the field
- Standouts are proactive, it’s never too early for YOU to write a letter or make a call to coaches
- DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior Year, but YOU can contact them
- DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime
- Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically
Sophomore Year
- Film your highlights tape
- Compete in tournaments and attend camps
- Get an evaluation of your skills tape
- Continue to research prospective schools
- Continue to build relationships by making calls, sending letters, emails
- Fill out questionnaires
- Narrow down your top schools
- Make unofficial visits
Rules/Tips to Remember:
Participating in competitive high caliber tournaments and camps are a great way to gain exposure
Junior Year
- Film your highlights tape
- Follow-up with coaches you’ve contacted in a TIMELY manner
- Ask coaches where you stand on their recruits list
- Fill out questionnaires
- Respond to EVERY coach
- Make unofficial visits to schools
- Narrow down your prospective schools list
Rules/Tips to Remember:
- September 1st is the first day DI and DII can send you personalized letters and emails
- DI coaches can begin to call athletes on September 1st of their junior year
- DI and DII schools will put offers on the table for top recruits
Senior Year
- Make official visits- only allowed 5
- Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
- Apply to the schools- applications, financial aid
- Sign and Commit to a school and program (Early signing DI/DII is second week of Nov, Regular- second week of April, end of third week in May)
- Find out the summer workout schedule
- Get ready for an experience of a lifetime
Rules/Tips to Remember:
Some DII, DIII, NAIA and Junior Colleges will still recruit during Senior year, you can set up tryouts with them after your regular season
Build your free profile
Get evaluated by a scout
Get matched with coaches
5 Things To Know
Finding an athletic scholarship can be difficult, but it’s easier if you know the steps.
Eligibility Center
Discover what it takes to become academically eligible to become a student-athlete in college.