Deciding the place you’re going to live for the next 2-4 years is a difficult choice. Making that choice as an athlete though, can be incredibly overwhelming. Athletes who dream of playing their sport in college, have a few more choices to make when deciding where they are going to further their athletic and academic career. Recruiting is a long stage in an athlete’s career that teaches them not only about college options, but about themselves as a player as well. Recruiting is like shopping, where athletes have to both self-advocate and explore coaching staff that want to give them opportunities. The process can be long, but an enjoyable opportunity to travel and see many different universities and facilities. To ensure the greatest college recruitment and experience for your sport, there are many recommendations to consider. To make the most of your recruiting journey, here are three big steps to consider:
Step 1: Getting Noticed
Becoming recognized and getting a coach to see your worth through a screen, is often the hardest part of recruiting. There are hundreds of thousands of high school athletes across the globe, and coaches want to ensure they are choosing the right fit for their school and program. Coaches consider lots of factors when making a decision on who they want to pursue, so don’t be discouraged if a coach recognizes you may not fit into their program before you do. Instead, athletes should build a platform on social media like X, that coaches and recruiters often use. Setting up a professional email as another form of contact, can also create exposure.
Step 2: Participating in a Travel Program
Travel sports are an investment, but the best road to exposure. Highlight reels and mixtapes show your capabilities, but coaches want to invest in athletes that perform well at the highest standards. Anyone can make themselves look highly talented over the phone, but when you’re getting to play against the best athletes in your sport in the country… coaches want to know, will you excel? Travel sports also come with an incredible experience. Visiting cities with your friends and teammates will build connections that may last a lifetime. Typically, travel basketball coaches are some of the highest level coaches around, with many connections which will also expose you to a larger pool of potential colleges.
Step 3: BE YOU!
You cannot pretend to be a player/person you are not when going through the recruitment process. Trusting that you will end up where you are meant to be, is the key to staying sane through the recruitment process. In the end, you are shopping for you, so being authentic to yourself is the only way to find the right fit for you. Relying on your skills, training, and who you are as a person will take you to the places you need to be to play at the next level.
Often players get tangled up in the recruiting process and forget they are kids and should be having FUN! Playing your sport should feel like your motivation or escape, not a job or business. So again, find ways to stay focused and you will only be rewarded in the end!
