What an incredible week in Indianapolis! As the eyes of the basketball world were fixed on the quest for a national title, the team at Net Results Recruiting was on the ground at the heart of the action. Beyond the buzzer-beaters and the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium, we spent our time at the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Convention, working tirelessly to bridge the gap between our athletes and their future programs.
Our visit was productive, eye-opening, and reinforced exactly why our mission is so critical in the current college basketball climate. Here’s a look at what we did and, more importantly, what we learned that affects you.
Connecting on the Convention Floor
The NABC Convention is the ultimate gathering of basketball minds. From Hall of Fame legends to rising assistants at the Juco level, everyone was in Indy.
We are proud to share that NRR had a massive presence this year. We connected with hundreds of college coaches representing every level of play NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA. These weren’t just brief handshakes; we had meaningful conversations where we advocated directly for our current NRR players. We shared film, discussed player profiles, and made sure our athletes were on the radars of programs looking for specific talent.
The State of Recruiting: A Landscape of Uncertainty
While the networking was great, the “intel” we gathered was even more valuable. The common theme among coaches at the D1, D2, and NAIA levels right now? Uncertainty.
Most college programs are currently in a state of flux. Unlike years past, when coaches knew their roster needs by early spring, the combination of uncertainty with current rosters and the ever-evolving Transfer Portal has created a bottleneck. Coaches told us they are still navigating:
- Roster Retention: Waiting to see which of their current players will stay, which will graduate, and which will enter the portal.
- Needs Assessment: Not knowing if they need a freshman point guard or a veteran transfer until their own roster settles.
- Portal Priority: Many programs are keeping their scholarships “open” to see what veteran talent drops into the portal before looking at high school seniors.
The Transfer Portal Challenge for High School Seniors
It is no secret that the Transfer Portal has fundamentally changed high school recruiting. Many programs are now prioritizing 22-year-old transfers with collegiate experience over 18-year-old high school prospects. This shift has created a high-stakes game of “musical chairs.”
Because coaches are waiting longer to make decisions, high school players are often left in limbo. However, our biggest takeaway from Indianapolis is a piece of advice we cannot stress enough:
If you have a scholarship offer on the table right now, DO NOT WAIT.
The days of “waiting for something better” or holding out for a late “scholarship” are becoming increasingly dangerous. Here is why we are advising our players to be decisive:
- Spots are disappearing faster than ever. When a coach finally decides to take a high schooler, they want someone who is “all in.”
- The “Trickle Down” effect. If a D1 program takes a transfer, they stop looking at their D1 high school targets. Those targets then drop to D2, and the D2 spots fill up instantly.
- Security is King. Having a guaranteed roster spot and a scholarship in writing is far more valuable than a “maybe” from a dream school that might be filled by a transfer tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Indianapolis was a reminder that while the game of basketball is thriving, the “business” of recruiting is more complex than ever. At Net Results Recruiting, our job is to navigate these waters for you. We’ve built relationships, we’ve done the legwork at the NABC, and we know exactly what these coaches are looking for.
To our current NRR family: We’ve shared our players information and what we do to help players, and the feedback has been fantastic. To those looking to join us: The window for 2026 recruiting is moving fast.
Don’t wait for the portal to decide your future. Let’s go get it now.
Looking to take the next step in your recruiting journey? Contact Net Results Recruiting today and let us help you find your perfect fit.