This is the first post in a series of articles which will discuss ways high school basketball prospects can earn a scholarship to play college basketball. I chose to make this the first blog topic because this is a question we get asked A LOT! Many athletes dream of earning a scholarship to play college basketball. It is an extremely challenging goal as roughly only 3% of High School basketball players move on to play at the collegiate level and less than 1% play at Division I level. The journey requires more than just talent.
There are a lot of factors that college coaches take into consideration when recruiting prospects. On the flip side, there are things prospects must be doing to maximize their chances of earning a scholarship to play basketball at the college level. In this series I will break down all the different qualities that college coaches look for when recruiting prospects and the things you can be doing to help maximize your opportunities to play college basketball and potentially earn a scholarship.
I’m going to address several topics in the upcoming articles which include:
- Why college coaches value high character prospects
- How your academics can impact the number of opportunities you have and the amount of scholarship dollars you could qualify for.
- What type of skills and basketball traits college coaches are looking for in a prospect.
- The importance of being proactive and seeking guidance to help you find college basketball opportunities and scholarships.
- The importance of playing for the right club team and maximizing your exposure to college coaches.
- How you can leverage social media to help you gain exposure to college coaches
- The importance of being adaptable, open-minded and patient during the recruitment process.
I chose to focus on these topics for a few reasons. First, players need to understand that college coaches are evaluating potential prospects for their program not just on their basketball ability but also based on what type of person and student they are. Players with high character and that are committed academically are prospects that are very attractive to college coaches. Second, coaches want players who are tough, have a high basketball IQ, that are efficient, consistent and that affect winning.
I also want to emphasize what prospects can do to maximize their recruitment. Things such as being proactive and seeking guidance are vital in today’s recruiting landscape. If you are a high school player and you just sit back and think coaches are going to recruit you, you are mistaken. There is also a lot of miss-information out there, so it is important to seek guidance from a reputable source that has knowledge of the recruitment process and someone that is well connected to college coaches. Leveraging social media is also a great way to maximize your exposure to college coaches. Social media allows prospects to showcase their skills, personality and work ethic to college coaches on a broad scale. Choosing the right grassroots program is also crucial to your recruitment. Finding a team that values your game and showcases your skill set is important. It is also important to play in the right events to maximize exposure to college coaches. Development is also something to keep in mind when choosing a club program. Finally, we will discuss why it is so important in today’s recruiting world to be patient, adaptable and open-minded. The game has changed, college coaches have prioritized transfers and older players over High School prospects. The process has become longer, and players need to be open to all levels.
Whether you are far along in your recruitment process or just starting, there are things you can be doing to maximize exposure to college coaches and put yourself in the best position to earn a scholarship or roster spot at the college level. Net Results Recruiting is a full-service recruiting solution that will help you get your name in front of college coaches and provide expert advice and guidance on every step of your recruitment journey. If you need assistance, then contact us today. Don’t leave your future to chance. Get started today with Net Results Recruiting and take control of your basketball journey!