<p>Hey everybody, thanks for reading this. I'm a bit in the dark in this topic, and I still can't answer my questions on my own even after research. I would appreciate any postive feedback and good advice.</p>
<p>I really don't know how to get this recruiting process started besides e mailing coaches. Any thoughts on something else that I could do? With my stats would I even make it at an Ivy?</p>
<p>I am a sophomore and a DII NAIA school has basically given me a scholarship already, and I don't know how significant this is and I don't plan on going to this school. I do love basketball and biomedical engineering; I also am looking at other schools for academics only (so b-ball won't make it or break it for me).</p>
<p>Last year, I did an engineering camp at Brown and went to the gym to play basically every day. Early on I asked a guy to play me (basically me vs. guy+ his friend) and my new friend, even though he was flat out terrible and did nothing. The guy (who I presume is involved in Brown athletics) was very impressed, and he even told me straight out that I was "amazingly athletic." Every game I played after that, the guy joined in for my remaining two and a half weeks. He was frequently on my team, and seemed to "know" my pattern of going to the gym at certain times. He asked me my name, age, and where I was from, but since I was a rising sophomore I guess he did not continue talks. I wish I told him I want to play at Brown!!!! </p>
<p>Does this 'guy' sound like a basketball scout for Brown, and if so, what do I do now? Thank you for reading all of this and please let me know what you think! :)</p>
<p>Averages through two high school seasons (unofficial): </p>
<p>Points: 14 (I'm not selfish; harly shoot over 8 times a game/ active on o-glass)<br>
Assists:4 (I'm forced to play a lot of center and don't get to pass out of the post that often)
Rebounds:13.5 (stuck on unmotivated teams where 1 guy carries a big load)
Blocks:2.5-ish
Steals:2-3
Minutes:I play around 85% of the game
Fouls: Close to 2 per game
Turnovers: around 2 pg</p>
<p>--Back-to-back MVP + Captain on teams
--Have played all postions, but mainly center
--Versatile defender (I actually take pride in solid defense)
--5'11"; 160 lbs.
--could dunk with small ball back in 8th grade (can't palm b-ball; I still get up there)
--good slasher/driving ability</p>
<p>Unfortunately, no I do not have time to play AAU, but I do play in a Church league if that counts for anything. </p>
<p>I mean my academics are that of the “typical” Ivy applicant so I was wondering that because my AI is in the 210-220 range (assuming everything stays consistent) that I could play Ivy ball because I read that there’s an unlimited number of spots that coaches have for “high academic achievers,” giving smarter kids a better chance to play ball.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about it, really. My son goes to a prep school and lots of their v basketball players go on to the Ivies. I think that many of them do play ball in the summer as well, though. I would definitely go on the school websites and fill out the recruiting questionaire. I would follow that up with a letter to the coach (an actual letter, sent via snail-mail is better than an emai), including your stats and any video you might have of yourself. Maybe an eval from your coach? You should also make sure you are registered through the NCAA Clearinghouse. </p>
<p>I did read on another thread in this forum that it is true that the teams will take higher academic/lesser abled players to boost the team’s gpa. I would imagine, though, that these players may or may not get as much playing time as some of the better players.</p>
<p>I do have a question, though: What’s the NCAA Clearinghouse? That’s amazing that so many kids from your son’s school play for Ivies; I presume that this is a boarding school (I know a few of these that send kids to better b-ball schools than Ivies, though!). </p>
<p>My coach said that I have all-state potential, so it’s not like I’m total garbage or anything. My summers are full because of engineering camps, medical volunteering, and intenships, so I can’t play AAU ball or anything.</p>
<p>I just remember that last summer, I was frankly playing the best ball of my life and nobody could stop me; same whenever I go to a gym and play guys who are 2-3 years older than me. Oh well, I’ll follow your advice and thanks for the help! :)</p>
<p>Yes, he is at one of the New England boarding preps. generally, most of the team goes on to play DI, some Ivy and some at big universities with top basketball programs. </p>
<p>If you are interested in an excellent education at a top school and still want the fun of playing basketball, don’t forget the excellent DIII NESCAC schools (Middlebury, Amhert, Williams, etc.) They are often referred to as “The Little Ivies” and it would be less challenging to make the team…and less stressful to have high level academics along with the demands of DI athletics. </p>
<p>The NCAA Clearinghouse is a site at ncaa.org where you have to register in order for coaches to recruit you to DI and DII schools. I think it is $50 (it was a few years ago, but might have gone up). You have to have your transcripts sent to them, and when you take your SAT’s or ACT’s you have to have the scores sent to them as well. You enter their code (I think it is 9999) just like you would enter a school code.</p>
<p>Don’t email the coaches. Send them a game tape/dvd (no highlight stuff), transcript, test scores, and a personal letter with the numbers of your coach and an academic reference. The person you played with is not likely to be a scout. During the summer, Division I coaches are not allowed to be in the gym when players are working out. If you are a sophomore, they are not allowed to talk to you. They are not allowed to call you, but you can call them. If any of the schools you would like to play for hold an open basketball camp, then try to attend. Call and ask for the assistant coach by name and see if they have a camp. It isn’t always public information. Do your homework. Look up the rosters at each school and see if they need someone who plays your position the year after you plan on arriving at college. In your letter, tell the coach, " Coach Smith, I notice Joe Blow, your only point guard, is graduating in 2011. I am a great point guard and I would like to invite you to come see me next year.I am a great fit for your team because you run the triangle offense (or whatever it is they do that you excel at) and I am familiar with that from my own team. Brown is a perfect fit for me academically because… Can I send you my schedule?" Point guards and big guys get recruited first, other positions and sizes are more common. Your problem with not playing club ball is that Ivy League schools have limited recruiting and travel budgets so they like to see as many people as possible at one time, which means the spring and summer NCAA approved tournaments. They may not be able to afford to come watch you at your high school if you are far away. Division I BB is very competitive, even at the Ivy League level. If you are all state level, you may have a chance, but do not let your other opportunities slip away if you want to play BB in college. BB coaches usually have a long list of recruits two to three years (or longer) in advance so you are the perfect age, but you need to be on the radar screen by next season because many D-I schools will have offers out to their top choices by spring of their junior year, summer at the latest. I know they cannot officially offer you admission that early, but the recruits are lined up by then. Scout.com (probably ESPN now) and Rivals.com cover BB recruiting, but you usually have to have a subscription to view the premium content. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, but you can get an idea of how the process works if you read the coverage of top HS recruits. I am going to post this for general information purposes, but I just noticed you are 5’11 and playing center. I have never heard of a 5’11 center or power forward at the division one college level. Look at the rosters to see what position kids your size are playing. I hope your college BB dreams come true.</p>
<p>Are you talking Ivy in particular with some of this stuff? Because DI coaches can talk with you no matter what age you are if you are on their campus. And they can be watching you work out as long as there are other age-eligible recruits around. DI teams do work out through the summer w/the coaches in the gym. The coaches just can’t prescribe a particular work-out. </p>
<p>bigdreamer…remember, as well (although you may already be aware); Ivies do not offer scholarships of any type. All aid is need-based.</p>
<p>Actually, my family may be able to sustain the financial hit of any Ivy League. I emphasize MAYBE because just 15 k off the sticker would make my entire family happy. I knew that Ivies didn’t give out scholarships so that’s not a dealbrekaer.</p>
<p>I have looked at the Brown roster and they need some guards when it’s my year to be a freshman. </p>
<p>Again, I played center because nobody on the teams that I have played on have any low-post moves besides me. Oh, the lost art of hook shots! I know that I’m a good pg because I ran it better than anybody on my team and whenver I just play for fun, I take care of handling the ball. If it helps, I do get entrusted with the ball late because I coaches/players have faith in me to deliver. </p>
<p>Thanks bessie and especially keyleme for all your advice!</p>
<p>Big Dreamer, All I know is that contact with college coaches and their own players is very limited during the summer months due to NCAA regulations. The rules did loosen up a bit to include some group workouts with the coaching staff a couple of years ago, but every hour must be accounted for according to NCAA rules. There are a few workouts allowed with staff members and conditioning with the conditioning coaches can take place, but the actual coaches cannot be there for the player’s “volunteer pick up games.” If a prospect visits the campus on an unofficial visit, then the coaches can visit with that prospect and talk to that prospect, but they are not allowed to watch what would effectively be a try-out if the recruit plays with the team. The coaches can hold basketball skill camps for high school players, which gives them the ability to evaluate talent in their very own gym. And, the current players can work those camps so there can be interaction at that point. It can be very confusing, which is why every school has a huge compliance office to make sure all of the rules are being followed. Do coaches break the rules all of the time? Yes, but should YOU break any rules? No. Log on to NCAA.org and download their handbook for high school athletes, which explains the general recruiting process and then download the D-I Men’s BB Recruiting Calendar, which breaks down all of the allowed contact periods, quiet periods, etc. If their website is like it used to be, those items may take a little searching for, but they are are on there. Aside from the scholarship issues, I think Division I men’s BB is one big club where everyone follows the same recruiting rules. Have fun with your BB in high school and beyond.</p>
<p>Bessie, I’m not looking to break rules at all! I hope that this is not your impression of me; the last thing I want to do is get into trouble. </p>
<p>I have no idea wh the man was, but I felt that it was slightly strange that he was at the gym at the same time I was for like 15 days in a row and we played a lot together. That’s not illegal because I think that it technically is just a “group of high schoolers” playing and blowing off steam from their summer course at Brown.</p>
<p>Anyway, I don’t have to play ball in the Ivy League because that would just be a bonus for me. I still plan to apply to schools even if I don’t get recruited to play ball there.</p>
<p>bigdreamer…why don’t you check out the Brown roster and the coach bio’s. Maybe you will see a picture of the person who was there while you were.</p>
<p>At DIII schools, I know that a phone call from you is even better than a letter. I’m not sure about that at the Ivy level, but it can’t hurt. I know you’re busy, but try to fit in a week at one of the high academic basketball camps that are held during the open period in July. (I believe Hoop Mountain has one in New England)</p>