In this seven part series about how to earn a college basketball scholarship we have covered the importance of having high character and how impactful your academic performance is to maximizing both opportunities and scholarships for college. In this article we will cover the type of basketball traits and skill sets a college coach looks for in a prospect. College basketball coaches evaluate prospects based on a combination of:
– Basketball IQ
– Work Ethic
– Toughness
– Body and Athleticism
– Overall, Skill Set
Basketball IQ
The game of basketball is fast paced. Players must be able to think and react quickly. They must understand offensive and defensive concepts, have “right” play mentality and situational awareness (know when to push tempo, slow the game down and understand time, score and situation). College coaches are looking for prospects who are good decision-makers. Players that can recognize defensive schemes, take quality shots and minimize turnovers. Aside from having a great feel for the game, coaches want to recruit prospects who are coachable. Players who listen, learn and can take critical feedback and then apply that feedback to their game. Possessing a high basketball IQ is crucial to college coaches. Prospects can increase their basketball IQ by listening to their coaches, learning their playbook, watching game film and studying the game of basketball.
Work Ethic
College coaches want players that have a strong work ethic. They want players who have consistent discipline, effort and commitment to improving their game. Players who show up every day with consistent effort, discipline, attention to detail, competitive mindset and toughness will be far more attractive to a college coach than a talented player who doesn’t work hard or that is selfish and undisciplined. Coaches want to recruit prospects who LOVE basketball, not LIKE basketball. If you aspire to play college basketball it is very important to develop a strong work ethic. Be an “every day” player ready to improve regardless of your circumstances. Maintain a high effort in both team practices and personal training sessions. Put in extra work without being told and stay focused even when no one is watching. Work on your weaknesses, not just strengths and be willing to take critical feedback from your coaches and apply that feedback to your game. Lastly, have a competitive mindset and be resilient. Have a “hate to lose” mentality. Always push yourself and your teammates to improve and don’t make excuses, find solutions. Play through fatigue, adversity and pressure without losing focus.
Toughness
As a former college coach, I used to put motivational quotes up in the locker room and on our practice plans. Many of those quotes referred to toughness. College coaches love toughness because it directly impacts winning. Tough players don’t just have physical skill and strength, they have a mental and physical capacity to push through fatigue, handle adversity and make winning plays when it matters the most. When a college coach is out recruiting, they are looking for players who exude these traits. The three types of tough coaches are looking for in potential recruits are physical, mental and emotional toughness. College coaches want physically tough players. Players that can play through contact, win the 50/50 plays, play with physicality and battle through fatigue. College basketball is bigger, stronger and faster than the high school level. If a player can’t handle contact, they won’t last in college. Mental toughness is just as important as physical toughness to coaches. They want players who play with confidence, can take critical coaching, embrace pressure and stay focused no matter what the situation. College basketball is full of high-pressure situations. If a player folds under pressure they can’t be trusted in crunch time. Finally, coaches are seeking out players with emotional toughness. They want players who can control their emotions, encourage teammates in a positive manner, can bounce back after a tough loss and love the process of getting better even when it gets really hard. When college coaches are out during the Spring and Summer Live Periods, they will be evaluating your toughness level. They will be watching your body language, defensive effort, coachability, physicality and late game performance. Make sure your body language is positive, that you are filling your tank on the defensive end, that you are playing with physicality, responding to coaches in a positive manner and finally, stepping up and handling pressure when the game is on the line.
Body and Athleticism
College coaches will evaluate a player’s size and length, speed and quickness, strength and conditioning. Positional size differs from level to level. The average NCAA Division I guard (point guard and shooting guard) can be anywhere from 6’0 to 6’5 and 170-215 pounds depending on the level of D1. Some leagues prioritize speed and quickness. Therefore, when college coaches are evaluating players, they must make sure that player has the positional size, frame, lateral quickness, speed and physicality to play at their level. You can be an elite shooter or defender, but you also must possess the body and athleticism that it takes to play at each specific level of college basketball.
Overall Skill Set
Although skill alone isn’t enough, it does matter when a college coach is evaluating prospects. There are many different styles that college basketball programs will play. Coaches are evaluating a prospect’s skill set to see if they fit their program and style of play. Coaches will closely evaluate a prospect’s ability to shoot, shoot efficiently and with range. They will also assess their ability to handle the basketball, handle pressure and create off the dribble. Coaches will evaluate a player’s court vision and ability to make smart decisions with the pass. They will assess a player’s footwork and if they can play under control, on balance and off two feet. They also want players that can finish at the rim. And finally coaches will evaluate a player’s defense and rebounding ability. They will evaluate on-ball defense, help-side awareness and defensive toughness and versatility. Additionally, how aggressive a player is on the boards and if they can rebound their position.
Final Thoughts
Coaches recruit players who fit their system and culture. Your skill set and the intangibles you can bring to a program matter. College coaches are constantly evaluating players and are looking for prospects that have a high basketball IQ, a strong work ethic and mental, physical and emotional toughness. Your body, athleticism and position you play must fit a need and how the program plays. Finally, your skill set must match up with what the coach and program needs for their team. All the above traits and skill sets impact winning 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!