8 Ways for Young Prospects to Get Recruited

As cliché as some of these may sound, after speaking with college coaches and being involved in recent recruiting conversations with some of the top programs across the country, these are all major factors in how prospects are evaluated and recruited.

1. Consistency

In today’s analytical world of college basketball, coaches value consistency among the most important traits in a prospect. If you can do something well but only do it occasionally, you become an unreliable player. If you can consistently execute at a high level, you become a valuable and trustworthy prospect.

2. Defense

You can’t play if you can’t guard.

Simply stated. If you are a weak link defensively, coaches cannot consistently put you on the floor. Coaches value defensive collisions, deflections, activity, communication, positioning, and effort. Being someone a coach can trust defensively can go a long way in earning playing time and recruiting interest.

3. Productivity

To be recruited at the highest level, you have to produce.

If you don't shoot when you're open, hesitate to attack advantages, or struggle to consistently create value, coaches will have a difficult time projecting you at the next level. Production doesn't always mean scoring. Rebounding, defending, creating for others, making the right play, and playing efficiently all contribute to your value.

4. Empty the Tank

Being willing to empty your tank can separate you from your peers.

Play as hard as you possibly can so that when the game ends, you have nothing left to give. Playing hard is both a talent and a skill. Increasingly, talented players can separate themselves through their approach and effort.

If you maximize your effort and activity every time you step on the court, you will create opportunities for yourself and bring value to your team.

5. IQ & Experience

Being able to play smart may be the most important factor on this list.

Understanding actions, offensive flow, defensive rotations, spacing, reads, and how to play with maturity can separate you from other prospects. The better you understand the game, the easier it becomes for coaches to trust you.

Learn different systems. Study college basketball. Understand terminology. Watch how high-level players make decisions. The more you understand the game, the further ahead you will be.

6. Coachability

Be coachable.

I've seen firsthand that players who consistently resist coaching create problems for coaching staffs and struggle to earn trust.

Listen. Learn. Ask questions. Apply what you're being taught.

You are not the smartest person in the room, and that's okay. Your willingness to learn can be just as valuable as your current ability.

7. Be a Good Person

Being a great person on and off the court can raise your stock tremendously.

College coaches aren't just recruiting your basketball ability. They are recruiting the person who will be in their program every day.

How you treat teammates, coaches, support staff, opponents, and people around you matters. Your reputation follows you, and being someone others enjoy being around can make a significant difference in the recruiting process.

8. Do Well in School

You cannot play at the next level if you're not academically eligible to do so.

If you're going to pursue greatness in basketball, pursue it in every area of your life — including academics. Coaches value players they can trust to handle their responsibilities away from the court.

Don't become a burden to your coaching staff. Be a reliable student, teammate, and person.

In conclusion...

Talent gets you noticed, but consistency, effort, intelligence, coachability, character, and reliability can determine how far that opportunity goes.