Being a professional athlete is a constant stream of discipline, motivation, and dedication to the game – and if you want to go pro, add dedication to the hustle of recruitment to the list!
Recruiting for women’s college basketball can be a competitive and challenging process, but with the right preparation, tactics, and technique, players can increase their chances of getting noticed by the recruitment heavy hitters.
And it’s going to take patience and planning to get there.
College Basketball Recruitment Basics
The recruiting process can be a long (long, long) and stressful, non-linear journey. Out of around 400,00 players, only around 1.2% will be recruited from the high school level. Players should approach the recruiting process with long-term preparation and a positive mindset to cover all their bases and have the best competitive shot at standing out.
Aligning yourself to get recruited starts in your freshman year (and possibly even earlier), so players should keep the following basic in mind from Day 1:
Academics:
Academics are important. Coaches want players who are not only talented on the court but also committed to academic excellence and discipline in other areas of their life. To increase their chance of standing out academically, players should maintain a high GPA, take challenging courses, and take advantage of tutoring to stay ahead of the game.
Communication:
Communication with coaches is crucial throughout the recruiting process. Players should reach out to coaches and express interest early on. It’s important to be proactive and initiate a familiar relationship without waiting for them to get a hold of you first. When communicating with coaches, be professional, respectful, and prepared to answer questions about your academic background, athletic ability, and character. You should also ask questions about the coach’s program, coaching style, and expectations for their players.
Club Teams and Showcases:
Club teams and showcase events play a significant role in the recruiting process. Coaches often attend showcase events to evaluate players and identify potential recruits. Playing for a reputable club team can also increase your exposure to coaches and scouts. It’s important to choose a club team that aligns with your goals and values. You should also participate in showcase events that are reputable and well-attended by coaches.
The Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for women’s college basketball starts long in advance, with athletes typically knowing years in advance what course of action they plan to take. Getting to the next level really does take unrelenting discipline and hard work, so by the time you’re talking to recruiters, you should be really proud of yourself.
Typically actual recruitment involves three key stages:
1. Identification
The identification stage involves coaches and scouts identifying potential recruits. Make early calls to get your name on paper, and consider putting together a skills highlight reel to get noticed and get recruiters to a game. Otherwise, players can get noticed in a few ways:
- High school and club games
- Showcases and tournaments
- Online recruiting platforms and databases
- Work with a professional sports manager
To increase your chances of being identified, it’s important to play in high-level competitions, like national tournaments and showcase events, and to create a recruiting profile on platforms like NCSA Athletic Recruiting or Hudl, where coaches can find information about your academic and athletic background.
2. Evaluation
Once coaches and scouts identify potential recruits, they evaluate them based on their athletic ability and potential, academic performance, and character. Recruiters may use a variety of tools to evaluate players, including:
- Watching game footage and attending games in person
- Reviewing academic transcripts and test scores
- Conducting interviews with players, coaches, and parents
Typically opportunities are offered to players who could really make an impact on the team with their performance, dedication, and positive influence. It’s important to note that scholarship offers may not come immediately, as coaches may need to evaluate multiple players before making final decisions (which could take a little time).
3. Selection:
Once evaluations are complete, selections are made, and recruits are contacted. It’s a good idea for players who are selected for recruitment to discuss contracts and negotiations with professional sports managers, parents, and potentially lawyers.
How to Plan Your Recruitment Timeline
How you get to the recruitment stage will look different for everyone depending on the competitive level played and the specific program athletes are in, but a non-specific timeline to keep you ahead of the game might look like this:
- Freshman Year: During your freshman year, focus on developing your skills and maintaining your academic excellence. A strong GPA is key.. Attend camps and clinics to get in on specialized training and exposure to coaches early on. Start your recruiting profile on online platforms and keep it updated with any milestones or accomplishments along the way.
- Sophomore Year: During your sophomore year, continue to focus on developing your skills and take advantage of hands-on training and scrimmaging to refine your skills. Attend showcase events and communicate with coaches starting now to learn about their program and express some interest.
- Junior Year: Through your junior year, start to narrow down your list of potential programs and prioritize communication with those specific coaches. Plan to attend showcase events that will align you with players and coaches from the schools on your shortlist to get a feel for the team.
- Senior Year: In Senior year, finalize your list of potential programs and continue to communicate with coaches. Send out your highlight reel and express your interest to coaches again, inviting them to see you in action.
Looking at recruitment to your top women’s college basketball team may seem like you’re playing the long game – and you are.
And StellaPop can make the long game a whole lot easier. Check out our professional Sports Management and Marketing services below.
