Gain the Attention of College Recruiters
While there is no clear formula on how to get yourself recruited for an athletic scholarship, there are several things that you can do to gain positive attention from recruiters. I grew up in a time when all we knew was you just had to play as well as you can and then hope that the coaches find you. Well technology has changed that quite a bit, so reaching out to college coaches is a much simpler process.
Even in these current times of the COVID-19 pandemic, college coaches are still hard at work looking for talent to join their program. However, imagine being a coach and every day you received hundreds of emails with a highlight film attached and a link to your bio. Some players with a lot of talent and some with not so much, but they all have the same access to a college coach. The question is: what can you do to make yourself stand out amidst all the rest?
Start with recognizing the right level that you are capable of competing. Humble yourself. Just because you know a guy who signed to a DI school and you can beat him in One on One does not mean that you are a DI player. If you are in need of an honest evaluation and assessment on your game and the level that you are capable of play at feel free to reach out to me with your game film and bio https://www.hayeshoops.com/contact.
Next, make sure you have the proper paperwork in order to simplify the recruiting process for coaches. This means registering with the National Clearing House or Eligibility Center https://www.nationalscholastic.org/ncaa_clearing_house as well as completing national testing and submitting your test scores. Do not forget the most important piece of paperwork, submitting an application for the school in which you are interested. College coaches know that the admission process is tedious so if you let them know you have already completed it, they are more inclined take you seriously as a potential recruit. This shows them you have initiative and an interest in the institution, not just the basketball program. This initiative also implies that you are as organized and as prepared as any potential college student-athlete should be.
Take time to visit the campus and try to schedule an opportunity to compete against the players on the current roster. Coaches understand that players don’t usually miss shots in a highlight film and that does not always correlate to the court. If you play well against the current players then, obviously, this mean you are talented enough to compete at that level and potentially help that coach win games going forward. You may not get an invitation to take an “Official Visit” to campus but don't let that discourage you. If you are unable to touch base with the coaching staff you can set up an “Unofficial Visit” during a time where you can see the campus, meet with admissions, and potentially workout with the team. It is even a possibility to have sit down meeting with the coaching staff face to face and see what they think of you. UNDERSTAND that none of these things guarantee that a scholarship will be waiting for you but they certainly better your chances of standing out to a coach that gets hundreds of inquires daily.
To state the obvious, your academic grades and scores are the first step at benefiting your future. Lack of discipline in the classroom as well as study time, directly correlates to your playing time; and as we learn, if you do not play you do not get seen. Let your knowledge, your actions and your initiative show the coaches that you are more then just a name and a highlight tape. Once you have the coaches attention put your best foot forward, maintain positivity, and be prepared for whatever happens next. Embrace and enjoy your experience with the team, on the campus, and with the coaches. Honestly evaluate if this is where you want to spend your college years. Last but not least, be very persistent, if you are not getting the results you want do not be afraid move on to another school. There are so many institutions that offer a quality education and basketball program, so it is in your best interest to cast a wide net.
