<p>I have a rising junior honor student who is a great athlete. He has a dream of playing college basketball. We live in a littel small rural commmunity and believe me, the scouts are no coming here to look for players.
We have had him in college summer camps, going to an exposure day this fall and told all his coaches about his dream. What else can we do - I know there is more that can be done on our end?</p>
<p>Most college athletic websites have a "recruit me" form that your student can fill out. If the coach is interested in what he sees he will call or write to your child.
If the college does not have this type of form, he/she should write to the coaches at the schools he might be interested in. Be sure that your child tells the coach why he would be a good recruit.<br>
In addition, his high school coach should be able to help him select schools that will be a good fit for him both athletically and academically.
My son went through this process for cross country/track and will be off tomorrow to start his dream and one of his long time friends is on his way next week to play basketball. Both used one or more of the above methods.</p>
<p>lindab,</p>
<p>What area of the country are you in and what level of college play is your son hoping to reach? I've known a few boys from very small schools (1B classification in WA, maximum 87 total enrollment in grades 10-12) who won state championships in their division and went on to play in the West Coast and Big Sky Conferences. They played on elite AAU teams (summer leagues) starting in their early teens as well as going to some of the highly regarded camps in the PNW. I think that summer experience was a key element - they played AAU with the "big guns" from larger schools in the state and got some exposure. </p>
<p>What is your son looking at academically? The schools these boys I know played for would be mostly considered 3rd tier publics, although a couple went to Gonzaga, which is regionally well-regarded for academics and is becoming more known nationally for its basketball success. I personally believe the academic match is the most important.</p>
<p>I guess I don't know anything about sources of other online guidance, but maybe you'll get some replies here from more experienced parents.</p>
<p>Too late to edit, but I wanted to add a little more info. I know someone who was recruited from across the country and played at this DII school: Wingate</a> Sports - Home of the Bulldogs
The link gives some good general information about the process.</p>
<p>In this case, the student did not visit the school or meet the coach until after an offer was made - she did send a DVD of game clips and all her statistics.</p>
<p>Going to elite national showcase basketball camps like 5-Star is important, if he can go during one of the NCAA open weeks. Yes, there's a cost, but boys fly in from all over the country to take advantage of their showcase. My kid played in Pittsburgh's 5-Star Camp with Michael Jordan's son one year, along with kids from Alaska, New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida, etc.</p>
<p>Finding out the elite AAU traveling teams in your state is also desirable. Check when their tryouts are. Again, a lot of travel time and cost is involved. My son's AAU team traveled to several states, won some championships, and both he and his school and AAU coaches started getting calls from some college coaches as a result of a national tournament (it helped that he was 6'6"). My kid was good but not great, and the recruiting consisted of invitations to look at the school and to send stats to take the recruiting to the next level. (Since he chose an honors program and to major in the sciences, he decided there was no way that he could handle a college sport and maintain the grades that he needed.) You can always try to put your own AAU team together, which is a lot of work. You'll see some amazing bball at some of the larger AAU tournaments! My kid's team participated in a Harley Davidson tournament at West Virginia U at which over 130 College Coaches were present (including the top bball teams in the country and some tiny colleges that would struggle to put guys on the Court), at which teams played from every state in the country. It was a fascinating experience. Most of the coaches wore their school's clothing and carried clipboards, going from game to game and sitting in a "Coaches Section" (not allowed to actually talk to the players). </p>
<p>Keep in mind that bball is a sport that doesn't take a lot of freshman, unlike football that fields many more players. It's very competitive and there are many fantastic athletes competing for those few spots in Div. II and Div. I. Div III doesn't offer scholarships, and the time commitment makes it more likely that someone committed to the game will have an opportunity to play, even trying out as a walk-on. Your kid needs an unbiased assessment of his skills compared to other kids who may have been working on their skills at various camps and leagues for years. He can get that unbiased assessment at one of the big camps. </p>
<p>As you mentioned, many colleges also have bball camps over the summer, which can be good opportunites to show coaching staffs what he can do (the head coach is unlikely to be involved in the camp if he's traveling to showcases, but you never know). It's all about visibility. My kid was even contacted by a Coach of a small college who had coached him in middle school. Your kid might be contacted by the college where he went to bball camp, particularly if he rec'd camp awards.</p>
<p>There are companies that will "package" your kid to be showcased to Coaches, making videos of his best moments on the Court, compiling his stats in a resume, etc. One of these companies chased my kid. The rep came to the house and measured his arms, etc. to see if he met the profile that schools allegedly want. He claimed that coaches don't bother with parents' home-made tapes, and that it's important to identify that they were playing against stiff competition -- ie, all players should make fouls and "anyone" can make 3s and run a good offense/defense against a bad opponent.... We weren't interested, so who knows if that story was simply marketing.</p>
<p>Not sure what your son's objectives educationally are nor what his level of achievement is, but perhaps a boarding school experience for a senior + PG year might be in order.</p>
<p>I take it that he is wanting to leverage his athletic skill into a better college situation for purposes of discussion as opposed to the NBA dream - going to a powerhouse school.</p>
<p>I know it is typical for my D's school to have a PG or 2 per year whom they place in mid-level D1 schools. Many other schools New England do much the same. And many place students into NESCAC type schools as well.</p>
<p>If financial aid is a concern, strangely enough you would want to do a 11R + 12, as if he is a kid to build a team around, having him there 2 years yields the school more. Plus it give him another year to mature physically and academically, enhancing both parts of the equation for college sports.</p>
<p>lindab - do a google search on "recruiting realities." they offer a cd rom and a guidebook that are helpful.</p>
<p>there are recruiting threads here on cc.........lots of help in those. try the search using "student athlete" or "recruiting", etc.</p>
<p>he's already a junior so he needs to be aggressive in contacting coaches now.........rather than later. the timeline for recruiting is earlier than you think. check the ncaa website for info. on the recruiting rules but i think he can already be calling coaches and emailing them himself right now. he can also be completing the questionnaires at the colleges' websites. contact coaches at all levels....jc, d1, d2, d3. </p>
<p>attending showcases and tournaments this fall before the start of the h.s. season would give him some added exposure.</p>
<p>You might also take a look at this website. When my D thought she might want to compete in a college sport we looked into it. I believe it's free. Maybe someone else has experience with it. </p>
<p>beRecruited.com:</a> Free College Basketball Recruiting and NCAA Basketball Scholarships Network</p>
<p>Make sure as a parent you understand the rules of the NCAA. They have an online pamphlet for parents and students on the website that outlines what can and cannot happen.</p>
<p>lindab: I sent you a personal message.</p>
<p>Having just been through this with my son--he will be matriculating this fall at a great academic mid-major DIV I school, I cannot stress enough how important it is to compete on a competitive AAU team next summer. Even if there isn't one in your area, many teams will accept kids from other areas if they can offer something to the team. These teams travel to the high exposure tournaments in Vegas, Florida, etc. where all the D-1 coaches attend. Trust me very few kids are discovered by Div-1 coaches just from their high school programs, unless it is a very high profile school in a big city. The travel is a hassle, I know, but if his heart is set on D-I and he's good enough, it's worth it. </p>
<p>If he doesn't mind going DIV 3 (of which there are many great academic schools) contacting the coaches so they can keep track of his season, sending the coaches game tape, attending exposure camps and camps on individual college campuses may be enough.</p>
<p>If his heart is set on DIV-1 and things don't pan out, many kids attend a good prep school for a year, where they have the opportunity to gain additional exposure and improve their academics(if necessary).</p>
<p>Upstater - I was going to respond the same way. AAU ball has become the recruiting nexus for college ball. It is a virtual necessity. </p>
<p>There is frequent talk that AAU ball unfortunately is ruining the college game. I think there is some truth to that. Endless games - so the outcomes become meaningless, lots of emphasis on flash and scoring - meaning the players become adept at driving the lane but not at outside shooting. Also, with so many games, defensive intensity is weak with matador defense becoming the rule. </p>
<p>Complaining about this is akin to tilting at windmills though. AAU ball is where athletes will get noticed.</p>
<p>not only though are there aau tournaments now but also mayb and shoe company tournaments. it would be a good idea for the op's son to be sure to get his travel ball schedule out to coaches prior to the start dates of the tournaments. tournament games are sometimes played in more than one gym (and sometimes gyms are not that close to each other......even in different parts of cities).........so getting the travel ball schedule out early..... might be a big help in getting on the list of players to be seen by the recruiter. </p>
<p>there are also ranking types of events........and it seems like those events give a lot of exposure.</p>
<p>Mam-funny you should mention that there are those who think AAU is ruining the game. My son's high school coach hated AAU for the reasons you stated above. However, there is no denying my son's high school career was better for the experience. There's nothing like playing against some of the best players in the country to improve your game and motivation--even if the "style" of play isn't the best. As grueling as the AAU experience was, it truly paid off for my son.</p>
<p>forgot to add that not only does he want to get his travel ball schedule out to coaches, but include an introductory letter and a profile. he might even want to go ahead and send video tape. i'm not up to speed on the new ways......but i think some are even sending email links to video (like what's found on you tube). lindab.......you might search on you tube to see what other recruits are doing.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If he doesn't mind going DIV 3 (of which there are many great academic schools) ...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Some of the top Div. 3 basketball programs are at schools that are very strong academically (e.g., Amherst College, Washington U. in St. Louis, Brandeis).</p>
<p>Although Div. 3 colleges do not offer athletic scholarships, the most renowned Div. 3 colleges, like those named above, have excellent need-based aid. So for the student who qualifies for a lot of need-based aid, these schools can be excellent options. </p>
<p>Also, if the student is D-I caliber, then he (or she) will be quite attractive to the Div. 3 schools. These academic powerhouses won't admit student athletes whose grades and test scores are way below the norm, but they will certainly give the benefit of the doubt to borderline candidates who will help the hoop team. </p>
<p>For more information on Div. 3 basketball (list of current Top 25, etc.) go to D3hoops.com:</a> The No. 1 source for Division III basketball information</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies and VERY helpful information.
Unfortunately, there is not an AAU team within an hour driving distance from us.
I emailed the state director who said there may be a team next spring (45miles away) but there is not a lot of AAU activity in our area.
With that information, what should I do?
There is an Prep Allstars Fall Exposure Clinic we are taking him to in September.
Any other ideas?</p>
<p>Linda,</p>
<p>Can't speak to where you are and how it relates to hoops, but there came a time in my D's athletic development, that she ran out of opportunities within 300 miles (yes, I spent a year driving her to home games 325 miles from home and road games even further every weekend for 9 months). Boarding school, in the end has actually cost me about the same (my FA package was generous, though) as I was spending on travel. I am probably a little crazier than most, however.</p>
<p>Boarding school has been a wonderful experience for her though and you may want to consider it as I mentioned in my earlier post. There is a CC area for it as well, with plenty of well versed parents and kids who have been and are going through the application process.</p>
<p>lindab,</p>
<p>some make trips of one to two hours each way or more for the player to play on travel teams. we made a one hour trip each way for several years in order for our d to play with an aau team in a metro area. there was also travel over the years for out of state tournaments and showcases. if he's looking for an aau team, those are usually more easily found in the metro areas.</p>
<p>in women's basketball there is a national ranking service called Blue Star Basketball. i'm sorry but i don't know what the equivalent is on the men's side..........is it prep allstars? maybe someone here on cc would know. if not, i'd make some calls to coaches at colleges around your state and see if they can provide some information on additional showcase opportunities. there are also the college camps themselves that your son could attend next summer. some camps are set up as "exposure" camps so you'll want to find out more information about them. in our state, it's not uncommon for players to go to a junior college for a year or two and then on to a 4 year college. 4 year colleges not only recruit freshmen but they can also pick up jc transfers and transfers from division 1.</p>
<p>reading the prep and college message boards (men's basketball) might also give you some more information. d3hoops.com has a message board on men's basketball and i think posters there would be glad to try to help answer some of your questions too. there is also another site you might visit ........collegestudentathletes.com.......it's a d3 site.</p>
<p>lindab, you can also do some looking at the ncaa website........look for the 2008 men's certified basketball events. this will give you an idea of what events took place this summer that also were ncaa certified. there is a column that notes whether the event is team or individual. </p>
<p>also........gather more info. on nike showcases.</p>
<p>Let me offer a slightly different suggestion. There is an organization in Deerfield, Illinois called Joy of the Game (it has a website--joyofthegame.com) which, each July, puts on what is called an Academic Showcase for high school basketball players with good grades and tests who are looking for exposure. The Showcase is typically attended by coaches from schools like the Ivies, the Patriot League (Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, American, Holy Cross, Colgate, Army, Navy), and other low DIs and DIIs. In addition, because it comes right on the heels of an AAU Tournament held at the same location, it also gets some coaches from higher ranked programs who were in town for the first tournament and stay on to watch. I know a number of kids who have gotten a boost from that.</p>
<p>If you need more information, pm me and I'd be happy to help. Good luck.</p>