So You Want to Play College Basketball: Here Are Some Things to Consider First

Going to college is a big decision and you definitely want to make sure you end up at the school that’s right for you. However, don’t depend on your current coach to do all the work for you. If you want to end up in a good, solid situation that is a good fit both athletically AND academically, you’re going to have to invest yourself.

Why basketball players shouldn’t just rely on their high school basketball coach or AAU coach

Your current coach will  likely have many players to assist in the recruiting process. This means he has limited time per player to help. Realistically, most players have to put the time and effort into promoting themselves. You can also pay a professional who offers you their service to place you in college (but this takes some assessing too). Having your own professional highlight video is key to getting the maximum exposure. Coaches need to see you play! It is very important to have a well presented video that includes your profile information as well as your best most recent footage. You should then email the link to schools that you’re interested in. Alternatively, finding someone you can trust and has a proven recorded of placing players in college is also an good option that you might benefit from.

What should basketball players be aware of when trying to get recruited to college?

When promoting yourself and reaching out to coaches, you should be mindful of when the recruiting periods and  dead periods are. Coaches are not allowed to speak with any recruitable player during a dead period. Just keep this in mind when sending your basketball highlight video link or profile out. You should feel confident that you are making the right impression and the coaches are getting all the information they need to give you the best chance of getting a response back.

Questions basketball players who have graduated high school should consider when assessing a college/university:

• Check out the school online.
• Check out the city’s local news online for information on the type of area the school is in.
• Ask yourself: does a colder or warmer climate matter to me?
• Is the campus/area a quiet community where you can stay focused on your athletics and academics?
• Do you have family and/or friends near by?
• Who will be able to help out if an emergency comes up?
• Ask yourself: are there many extracurricular activities that may distract me from studying and staying focused on basketball?
• Always visit the campus and get a feel for the campus vibe.
• Areas to focus on when visiting the school:
  Does the weight-room have all the necessary equipment for you to do your training?
  Does the school have a specific basketball trainer?
  Do they have an athletic trainer and how accessible are they to you if you have an issue?
  Take a tour of all their sport and recreational facilities.

The sizes of the school does matter. Before deciding on a school, here are few helpful questions for you to consider:

1. Will you function well within a lecture hall of 100+ students per class?
2. Will you do better in a smaller class of 12-25 students?
3. Do you prefer a smaller campus where you can get around by walking or a bike?
4. Is having a car or taking the bus around campus better for you?
5. Do you prefer a small town atmosphere?
6. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of a larger city?

It is good to ask quality questions. You should also want be clear on the plans the coach has for you. An example question would be: how you will I fit in with the returning players and the recruits that have already committed?

Consider all your college basketball options thoroughly before making a decision

The quality of the program and the coaching staff is the most important factor when deciding a school as a you student athlete. Try not to fall into the trap of thinking D1 is better than D2 because bigger doesn’t necessarily translate to being better. You have to be realistic with yourself and know what you need to do to be successful at the next level. D1 universities are constantly recruiting prospects. Be mindful that if they find someone who is in their opinion better for whatever reason, there is a high chance that they will recruit him to take your spot. D1’s also have larger teams with more athletes on scholarship. This creates a situation with as many as five players all trying for a chance to play at one position. You must decide whether you want to be one of many trying to play at your position or the only one?

Don’t forget the academic side of things as a college basketball player

If you have found a school that has a great athletic program, great! Now you must consider what kind of classes are offered. It is pretty common to be undecided in regards to what you would like to major in. This is why you should take some time and carefully read over the courses offered if they are offering you a scholarship to study and gain a great education in exchange for representing the school on the playing field. Make sure you choose something you really want to do.

College Accommodation – What Should You Know:

It is a good idea to gather as much information as you can. You want to make sure that you are fully informed so that you don’t have any unexpected surprises. Here are some suggested questions you could ask:

– What are my housing options?
– How may people will I be sharing with?
– Will I be staying on/off campus?
– What is included in the accommodation (wifi/laundry/cable etc.)
– Are there any additional fees not covered by my scholarship?
– Do not commit to a lease long than your schools first year in case your situation changes.
– Don’t be stuck in a lease that you will be held responsible for even if you don’t continue living there or even being enrolled at your original school.

REMEMBER TO BE HUMBLE

It is important to come across confident yet humble. Be honest in regards to any shortcomings but assure the coach that you are constantly developing and bettering yourself daily. When speaking with coaches it is important to sell yourself well by always being honest. Always thank the coaches for their consideration and let them know that you appreciate their time and offer. Coaches network within the same groups and your impression will determine whether or not they speak highly of you (or not). Make sure your demeanor, attitude, skill level and grades all make a good lasting first impression, even if you’re not interested in taking the offer from that particular school.