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BIG 6 > BASKETBALL > COLLEGE PREP 

Want to know how to get recruited for college basketball?

Getting college recruiters to notice you hinges on your ability to create an effective plan for communicating with coaches. Athletes must be proactive and reach out to coaches if they want to get on their radar and make their recruiting list. With countless talented recruits across the country, you can’t afford to wait around for coaches to find you.

To get noticed by college coaches, send an introductory email with your recruiting video, key stats and academic information. Next, follow up with a phone call to the coach. Make sure you mention the introductory email. Promptly respond to all communication from coaches, including recruiting letters, emails and social media DMs. As you make your way through the recruiting process, continue to follow up with college coaches by sending them updated stats and new highlight videos. Consider inviting them to watch you compete. Also be sure to show your interest in the program by keeping a close eye on their season. If they earn a big win over a conference rival, offer your congratulations.

At this stage in the college recruiting process, coaches will perform evaluations to determine their list of top prospects. They will also compile a list of “waiting list” prospects who they will turn to if athletes from their target list choose another school. College coaches get in touch with their top recruits and start calling high school and club coaches to get evaluations and recommendations. In many cases, they will travel to major tournaments and showcases to watch recruits compete. They also often personally invite athletes to their own camps, which are typically held on the college campus. Be on the lookout for unofficial and official visit invitations during this time. These visits allow coaches to get to know prospects and determine if they are a good fit for the team.

High level tips to get recruited to play men’s college basketball

Recruiting isn’t a linear, clear-cut process. You could be nearing the end of your conversations with one coach, while simultaneously just beginning with another. But knowing what steps you can take to create a communication strategy and market yourself will help you secure a scholarship offer.

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  1. Research and build a target list. Student-athletes should visit college rosters and look at the players in their position (are they seniors who are graduating?), athletic stats (how do they measure up?) and backgrounds (does the coach recruit from a particular region or tournament?).

  2. Compete at the highest level possible: To accurately assess a recruit’s ability to compete in college, coaches want to see them play against high-ranked athletes.

  3. Compete in the summer during live periods: Scheduling conflicts make it difficult for college coaches to watch recruits play in-person during the regular season. So, they turn to live periods. These stretches in the offseason allow college basketball scouts and coaches to hit the road and scout several players at once. Attend elite or exposure camps as well.

  4. Excel academically. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility and amateur status for all NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 athletes. Understand the requirements to stay on track.

  5. Create a highlight film. The best way to secure an in-depth and in-person evaluation is by sending coaches a highlight video and a full game film. It’s a quick way to show a snapshot of the recruit’s skill set.

  6. Be proactive. Start by sending an introductory email that includes your online profile, highlight video, academic information, outstanding athletic achievements and personal interest in the program. Then follow up with a phone call. 

Men’s basketball recruiting timeline broken down by year in school

Here is a general guideline you can follow year-by-year to ensure your family is on track.

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Freshman year

  • Fill out questionnaires online and respond to coach materials. College coaches can send recruits general materials, such as questionnaires, camp information, non-athletic information about the school and materials published by the NCAA at any time.

  • Meet with your guidance counselor and set academic goals for the year to keep your academic eligibility on track.

  • Research colleges from all division levels.

  • Create an online profile and if you have varsity or high-level competitive film, post your highlight video.

  • Be proactive and call Division 1 and Division 2 coaches or athletics staff and talk to them on the phone.

 

Sophomore year

  • Post your highlight video to your online profile, if you haven’t already.

  • Aug. 1—Recruits can begin taking unofficial visits to Division 1 schools.

  • Check that your sophomore year classes meet NCAA academic eligibility standards and register for the NCAA Eligibility Center.

  • Send introductory emails to college coaches at your target colleges, if you haven’t already. And follow up with a phone call.

  • NCAA Division 1 and Division 2— Student-athletes can receive personal contact and recruiting materials starting June 15 after their sophomore year. Coaches can call athletes, send text messages, direct messages and emails, as well as make verbal offers. Top Division 1 and Division 2 athletes are getting offers from college coaches at this time. Most Division 1 rosters are finalized before the start of junior year.

  • NCAA Division 3—Off-campus contact is allowed after sophomore year. 

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Junior year

  • Take the ACT or SAT and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Upload your transcript to the Eligibility Center as well.

  • Update your highlight video.

  • NCAA Division 1—Off-campus contact is allowed beginning your opening day of classes.

  • NCAA Division 1—Official Visits are allowed Aug. 1 of your junior year through completion of junior year (5 total visits).

  • NCAA Division 3—Official visits allowed starting Jan. 1 of junior year.

  • Offers continue to roll in for Division 2 prospects, as well as Division 3 and NAIA athletes.

  • If you’re not getting interest from coaches at the schools you’ve been contacting, take a new look at your college list and find new opportunities.

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Senior year

  • Update your highlight video.

  • NCAA Division 1—Recruits can take an additional five official visits during their senior year. They may re-visit a school from a junior year official visit.

  • Nov. 13-20—Early signing period for NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 schools begins.

  • Nov. 1—NJCAA Signing Date.

  • Apply for the FAFSA on Oct. 1.

  • Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.

  • Request final amateurism certification beginning April 1 in NCAA Eligibility Center account.

  • April 15-May 20—Regular signing period occurs for Division 1 and Division 2.

  • Division 3 and NAIA teams are finalizing their rosters during senior year. JUCO programs are also recruiting student-athletes at this time. Consider these schools if you haven’t secured a roster spot yet. 

Helpful Documentation

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