NAIA DII Recruitment

Athletic Recruits
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<p>I had one further thought. I’m assuming that you live someplace in the Southeast. Hoop Mountain has a one day event on October 3 in Woodbridge, Va. and may also have a one day event in the fall in Atlanta. I don’t think that is an open period, so DI coaches wouldn’t be there and I’ve never been to either one… However, if either of those spots is convenient, it might provide you with some sense of where you stand in relation to other prospects and at the very least would provide an opportunity to get some tape on yourself as a guard.</p>

<p>Just a thought.</p>

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<p>Thanks EMM1, you’ve been really helpful!</p>

<p>I had me eyes on the Academic Elite camp during July 24-27 because top schools like Brown, JHU, Columbia, Yale, etc. were supposedly present last year to scout guys, but I need a rec from my coach and guidance counselor, but I really don’t have access to them now. I was hoping to accomplish this next year, if it’s not considered “too late.”</p>

<p>I might have to check out tha once in oodbridge, VA, sounds like a good deal to see how I stack up to others.</p>

<p>Another Question: If I go to a camp in July where some DIII Schools are present (i.e. MIT or JHU), would theey still be interested in recruiting me even though I’m not in their region? Would they risk losing a recruit because he lives too far away? </p>

<p>Also, would Caltech’s team be considered “easy” or “hard” compared to Ivies, JHU, etc. to get recruited or am I too far way once again? I plan on contacting them via email to exress interest, but do I leave at that after sending in tape?</p>

<p>Thanks again EMM!, you trruly aer guiding me here and I appreciate it! :)</p>

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<p>Teams will consider players from any region; if you look at the rosters of the teams from Amherst and Williams, for example, you will often see players from as far away as California. The regional nature of DIII recruiting is due to the fact that the coaches generally just don’t have the travel budget to look at players from outside their areas.</p>

<p>The Caltech team has been notoriously weak because they haven’t made ANY academic concessions to athletes in the admissions process. (Some other highly selective schools claim they don’t make allowances but I don’t believe it). They have a new coach, though, and he may have gotten some concessions from the admissions department. Worth a call, at least.</p>

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<p>^Thanks EMM1! So, I’ll just send in info and hope for the best with the DIII schools I guess!?! I think that I might go Oct. 3 for that one-day event to see how I compete, and then decide to attend the Academic Elite Camp. Will this work to go the summer before Senior year to play in front of coaches? </p>

<p>I’m qualified academically (at least through first 2 years of high school) for the top schools in the nation, I would just like to continue to play bball for my college years. I mean it helps for admissions, but I’m a smart guy. I like the research opportunities at these schools, and I’ve researched some of these universities. Will being solid academically help me out here, right?</p>

<p>I agree that top schools lie about allowing academic concessions because I heard about a guy w/ a 2.5-ish GPA who went to Harvard for basketball. Oh well, I hope that he did well there!</p>

<p>Thanks again for your help! :)</p>

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<p>Without question, with the possible unusual exception of CalTech, you would easily qualify academically as a recruited athlete at any school in the country. </p>

<p>Summer before senior year is the most important time in the recruiting process (although I think the idea of going to the October 3 camp is a good one. Again, with respect to DIII schools, I can’t overemphasize the importance of making a personal phone call to the coach to get on his radar screen.</p>

<p>Good luck! Please keep me informed about your progress.</p>

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<p>"Stats are not what counts, Coaches assess players by watching them play, in person if possible, on tape if necessary.</p>

<p>The quality of players at DIII schools varies widely. Among the most highly selective schools, Amherst and WashU are at one end of the spectrum (just barely below Ivy), while the quality of play at Swarthmore and Macalester is much lower. In addition, with few exceptions, DIII recruiting is very regional. So if you are interested in a school outside of your region and can’t get to a nearby camp, send a tape (8-10 minute game tape, NOT highlights)."</p>

<p>Are you talking about bb only or any sport? </p>

<p>btw: I have heard the same 2.5 story for UCLA, which is like an Ivy for Calif – so we are told. but my college planners don’t tell that story at all.</p>

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<p>You need high SAT’s for the Ivies and NESCAC schools like Williams and Amherst. Also for Emory, Wash. U., etc.</p>

<p>Take an SAT review course.</p>

<p>You are also going to take the PSAT/NMSQT this Fall. Ths is your one and only chance to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program This is not financially big but is a nice line item on an application.Any time, effort, and money to be expended on test review should be expended this Summer in time for the PSAT this Fall. There are National Merit programs for black and hispanic students also.</p>

<p>Not all the Ivy players are All-Americans with perfact SAT’s. There are chances for a good player who is solid academically. Unfortunately being “solid acdemically” is much harder with respect to the Ivies than some other conferences.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>PS: 5’11" is ok for a guard. 160 lbs is a bit slight. You should consider hitting the weights but do speed and coordination drills so you don’t lose quickness, flexibility, and coordination. Talk to your coach. Weight training can/will effect your shooting. Practice, Practice, Practice.</p>

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<p>IMO most, nearly all, of the academically elite schools are NCAA Division I or NCAA Division III. </p>

<p>Can anyone mention a top 50 ranked (USNWR) university/college that is NCAA Division II?</p>

<p>Are there any NAIA schools in the top 50 liberal arts colleges or top 50 national universities? </p>

<p>The OP may want to know this for college planning.</p>

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<p>^With regards to the SAT review course, i’m opting not to take one because my sister did not benefit from it at all. In fact, she did best when self-studying. Another girl at my school advised me NOT to take review/tutors because she did worse after every course/review. </p>

<p>I have the CollegeBoard Official SAT Study Guide to read this summer. I already improved my score on the CR after practicing for one day. I need to practice more, but Kaplan is my only choice in my area, and they have not been succesful. Oh well…</p>

<p>Yeah, I’m going to work hard to get that magical PSAT score, then hope I can do it again for the real SAT. Ivies have very high academic standards (obviously :P), but I will build my resume just the best I can (who know if it will ever be enough?).</p>

<p>My parents don’t really allow me to lift weights because I have two first cousins who have needed surgery because they “overdid” if you know what I mean…
I have a wiry frame (almost like Kevin Durant/maybe KG) where I’m skinny but still strong. Weight lifting will definitely affect my shot, and I just got a nice jumper, hate to lose that temporarily…</p>

<p>My height is not that bad, hopefully I gain a few inches this summer/over junior year. I definitely don’t want to lose my quickness, which I rely on for driving and shutting down perimeter guys. Def need to do drills to keep this intact. </p>

<p>I’ll try to talk to my school coach (hard to contact during summer :frowning: ), but I don’t have unlimited time to practice. I now prepare for the SAT, have 4 long books to read for school, a job, look out for my younger siblings, work on inventions & car designs (my personal sketches/portfolio), etc. Time is short, but I guess that i’ll do the best that I can…</p>

<p>Thanks everybody, especially EMM1 & BigG; I’ll keep everybody posted on how this pans out! :)</p>

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<p>I agree with those who recommend you contact the DIII coaches you are interested in. They can’t possibly know which of the several hundred best athletes in their sport are very interested in them, unless you TELL them! Even with an unlimited budget, calling or otherwise contacting athletes is very time consuming. It’s OK for you to contact as many as 20 programs you like, at this stage of the game. By the summer before your senior year, you will know more what you’re looking for, and the serious recruiting will begin. Your goals should be grades/scores/improving your athletic competitiveness, and making an honest attempt to keep your college options open by making yourself known to programs you truly might be a match for. Recruiting should be a win-win, not an exercise in frustration! Hang in there. You sound like a great kid to me!</p>

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<p>^Thanks riverrunner, you’re so nice! :slight_smile:
I’m definitely goign to contact JHU, MIT, and Caltech over the phone very soon to get my name out there; very important, I agree. </p>

<p>For D1 schools (like Ivies) is the phone call good enough at this point because I don’t haven’t taken the SAT, which was required on questionnaires on schools’ websites? Also, if I make it to 170, is that good enough? </p>

<p>I have a hard time putting on weight (don’t adults crave this talent :P) even though I did independent workouts in the past which increased my strength & speed (shooting suffered), but I really didn’t gain that much weight.</p>

<p>Right now I’m focusing on SAT scores, grades, my job, my designs, and then bball. I really want to maintain solid grades, but bball practice suffers :frowning: Such is life, and I’ll do my best to tough through it!</p>

<p>For the whole NAIA DII thing, I know one school wants me, but I don’t want them. There like 30 minutes from where I live w/o good enough academics (boy, don’t I sound stuck-up :P)! </p>

<p>What is the “jump” in talent or difficulty in recruitment comparing NAIA DII to NCAA D1/D3?
Thanks again for the help BigG, EMM1, and riverrunner! :)</p>

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<p>big dreamer, what is the “170” you mention? AI? or your weight?? :)</p>

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<p>^Oh, the 170 is the wieght that I was aiming for because I’m at 160 right now. I mean I am mainly all muscle (very minimal fat %), but I think my strength could be a bit more. Would 10lbs. more be enough?</p>

<p>My AI (if I maintain my grades) will be like 215, maybe more! :slight_smile:
I LOLed at your comment though! Thanks for your help!</p>

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<p>“Can anyone mention a top 50 ranked (USNWR) university/college that is NCAA Division II?”</p>

<p>I believe that the most selective DII school is Bentley, the no. 30 ranked business school. The most selective liberal arts school is, I think, Stonehill, which would not be anywhere near the top 50.</p>

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<p>I’ve been a high school and college coach for 25 years so I do have some experience with recruiting. By the sounds of things playing at an Ivy school would be a stretch. The leval of play at the Ivies is much higher than at NAIA D II. NAIA DII would have players who are generally more talented than NCAA DIII but often carry baggage or are the rebound from somewhere else. Reason being is they can give scholarships and their admissions standards are usually lower. Contact Ivy coaches. If you really fall in love with an Ivy school you could always try to walk on.</p>

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<p>^Thanks for the advice csdad; very insightful! :)</p>

<p>My question is if I already received a NAIA DII scholarship in middle of sophomore year, then if I keep working in my (albeit limited time) free time then could I play NCAA D1 or D3? I mean, I’m smart and plan to apply to selective schools as a normal applicant, but would love to play ball at some schools that I have interest in.</p>

<p>Schools I’m interested in:</p>

<p>Brown
Yale
Harvard
UPenn
Duke*
JHU
MIT
Caltech
Viriginia Tech*
UNC-CH*
NC State*</p>

<p>*= not trying to get recruited here</p>

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<p>Take a look at Swarthmore.</p>

<p>If you can get into Duke or other top school with enough FA to attend (or if you need none) go there and forget basketball unless the coach recruits you or is friendly to “walkons”. I know that is harsh. But education should come first unless you are a really big time player.</p>

<p>Many “elite” schools that do not offer athletic scholarships per se have adequate need based aid, if you can get in.</p>

<p>You need “safties”. Consider Sewanee, University of Southern Alabama, Mercer, Georgia Southern, and Samford in Birmingham.</p>

<p>The SAT is key to what your possibilities will be. Do not neglect to review for the SAT II’s . Some schools consider the subject test scores to be more important than the aptitude tests.</p>

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<p>You’d have the best Ivy chance at Brown & Yale. CalTech, MIT, & JHU are all at a much lower talnet level than the Ivies.</p>

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<p>As things look right now, I won’t need FA, and I’m not looking to play ball at Duke, NC State, Viriginia Tech, or UNC. Their programs only look for “big time” recruits, and I
know I’m NOT good enough for these schools for ball. </p>

<p>Education comes first for me, and I’m looking for schools that have good engineering programs. I know the Ivies aren’t known for this, but I have read that research opportunities are plentiful; plus I like their campuses/locations. </p>

<p>My big question is this: how much do I need to improve to go from NAIA DII recruit to NCAA D1/D3? I mean I will contact coaches within a week or so, but what else? I’m plannign to get to 170 lbs, will that suffice for an approximately 6’0"/ 5’11’’ PG?</p>

<p>Thanks csdad, BigG, and EMM1!!! :)</p>

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<p>If a NAIA D II is already offerring you a scholarsip my guess is that you could play at most D III schools. One of the best ways for a DI staff to see you is to go to their summer camp. Here is link for Brown’s camp: [Camps</a> - Official Athletic Site of Brown University](<a href=“http://www.brownbears.com/camps/brow-camps.html]Camps”>http://www.brownbears.com/camps/brow-camps.html) . Yale’s camp site: [Yale</a> University Bulldogs, Official Athletic Site](<a href=“http://www.yalebulldogs.com/camps/yale-camps.html]Yale”>http://www.yalebulldogs.com/camps/yale-camps.html) It’s impossible for me to tell you if you could get to their level. Only their coaches can make that decision.</p>