For many high school basketball players, the ultimate dream is to play college basketball. But achieving that goal requires more than just talent; it demands focus, preparation, and strategy. It has never been harder that it is now for High School Basketball Players to get recruited. This is because Colleges are looking at the Transfer Portal first, then Junior College, and then High School Players. College teams want to be old, the older, the better. It's important to note that getting recruited to play College Basketball is a byproduct of being a good high school player. While many people make high school an afterthought and focus on college, we believe that if you focus on being great as a player in High School / AAU your chances of playing college will increase, without focusing on it.
This article breaks down the three key components to help you maximize your chances of playing at the next level: Player Evaluation, Exposure, and Development.

1. Player Evaluation: Understanding Who You Are as a Player
The first step to playing college basketball is knowing where you stand as a player. College coaches look at two main factors when evaluating potential recruits: potential and production.
Potential
Coaches assess your size, speed, athleticism, skill level, and basketball IQ. These attributes help them envision how you might fit into their program in the future. The higher the level, the bigger/faster/strong/more skilled/smarter the players tend to be. Now, each player doesn't have all of those attributes, it's the combination of each that will determine a players level.
Players should understand their physical and mental tools so they have so they understand their strengths and weaknesses better. They should ask themself:
What physical tools do I need to improve on to put myself in a great position?
Am I continually improving my skills and basketball IQ by on court training and film review?
Production
Potential isn’t enough if it’s not backed by performance. Coaches want players who produce results. To stand out:
Play meaningful minutes. Simply being on a team isn’t enough; you need to contribute on the court. This is the age old question for AAU. Do I play on a High Level team with maximum exposure, but maybe not play a lot of minutes. Or do I play on a team where I am going to actually play, but maybe they don't get enough exposure. The answer is different for each situation, but it is very hard for a coach to scout you if you don't actually play meaningful minutes.
Impact winning. Coaches want scoring. They can say otherwise on social media, but in order to play at the college level, you need to have an offensive game. Many times, they are comparing players with like skill sets. So to stand apart, you also need to impact winning. Are you rebounding, getting assists, getting deflections or playing lockdown defense? Focus on making a tangible difference in games to show that you bring value to a team.
Character and Academics
Beyond talent and performance, coaches are also looking for players with great character. Being a positive teammate, showing leadership, and maintaining composure on and off the court are all critical traits. College programs want players who represent their school well and fit into a team culture. Winning programs get great players, that have WINNING CHARACTERISTICS.
Additionally, your performance in the classroom can significantly impact your recruitment. The better your grades, the more options you’ll have when it comes to college opportunities. Strong academics can open doors to programs that might otherwise be out of reach and demonstrate to coaches that you’re disciplined and reliable.
2. Exposure: Getting Seen by College Coaches
In today’s recruiting landscape, fewer high school players are recruited directly due to the rise of the transfer portal and junior college recruitment. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t get noticed. Here’s how:
Timing Is Key
You don’t need to be recruited as a freshman or sophomore. The most critical period for exposure is during your junior year’s high school season, the AAU season before your senior year, and your senior year itself. Focus on being at your best during these times. Before this, you should prioritize your development. Keep working and playing to be the best player you can be so that you put yourself in a great position to produce towards the end of your high school career.
Consistency Matters
It’s not enough to perform well at a single AAU tournament or high school game. Coaches are looking for players who can consistently contribute over time. Show reliability in the areas where you excel. Many players and parents have this fantasy that they will have one big game or weekend and schools will come flocking to them. While that will certainly help, and can generate buzz, College Coaches will always do their due diligence to continue watching you play to see if that big weekend is who you are consistently.
Market Yourself
Create highlight videos showcasing your best moments and share them with college programs.
Use social media to promote your skills and accomplishments.
Attend camps or showcases where you can compete in front of college coaches.
The more you can be seen, the better. You just always want your PLAY to be better than your MARKETING. Nothing is worse for a college coach then to continuously see marketing on a player, only to realize they arent actually good enough, or their marketing portrays them in a false sense.
3. Development: Becoming Good Enough to Play College Basketball
Getting recruited is only part of the journey. You also need to ensure you’re prepared to succeed once you get to college. This is the forgotten part of the recruiting journey. Especially now with many colleges taking kids for 1 year and then forcing them to transfer out if they deem them to be not good enough.
Create a Vision and Plan
Work with a coach or mentor to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Develop a clear plan to improve your game:
What are your biggest strengths in your game and how do you bring value to your team?
What are the areas that need to be addressed now or they will limit you in college?
Is your daily routine actually producing results and preparing you to have success in HS and be prepared for College?
Assess The Levels and Where You Fit
There are talented players at every college level: Division I, Division II, and Division III. One of the best things that you can do, is to actually go and watch games for all the different levels. Really watch and see if you believe you can be a contributor at these schools. To determine where you’d fit best and to see how good each level really is:
Attend games at different levels (high major, mid-major, low-major Division I, Division II, and Division III).
Observe the players, the pace of play, and the skill levels required.
Review team rosters and player bios to see what stats and accolades those players had in high school.
This research will give you a realistic sense of the level at which you can compete.
Final Thoughts: Start Now
If your goal is to play college basketball, it’s never too early to take action. Focus on developing your potential, producing on the court, and being a great student of high character. Make yourself visible to college coaches through consistent performances and smart marketing. And most importantly, have a plan to improve every day.
With the right approach, your dream of playing college basketball can become a reality. At the very least, you'll put yourself in position to have High School success.
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