Practice basketball every, and twice a day when you can—that’s the only way to really develop the skills you need to stand out enough for a scholarship. [2] X Expert Source Ryan TremblayBasketball Coach Expert Interview. 9 March 2021. Make sure you practice the right way. Instead of shooting randomly at the hoop, practice specific drills to improve your skills. For instance, set a goal to make 10 free throws in a row before you move onto another drill.
Playing for more than one team will show college recruiters that you are dedicated, driven, and have a passion for the sport. The AAU breaks their teams down into age groups. It has 17-and-under and 15-and-under teams. Tournaments that are sponsored by the AAU are sometimes called high-profile recruiting camps because collegiate basketball programs rely on the tournaments to scout the best players in a central location. You can find the Amateur Athletic Union website here: http://aausports. org/.
You can find details for camps in your area at the following website: http://www. basketballcampsusa. com/. The NCAA website contains details of the most elite basketball showcase camps: https://web3. ncaa. org/bbcs/publishedEvents.
Make school work a priority. Complete all your assignments and hand them in on time. Study for exams so that you are prepared to do your best.
While you need to be very good at basketball to earn a basketball scholarship, prospective schools love seeing good test scores from applicants.
For instance, during a “quiet period,” a college coach is not allowed to have in-person contact with you or your parents, watch you play, or visit your high school. [8] X Research source Some of the NCAA requirements for scholarships include completing 16 core courses in high school, earning a 2. 0 GPA or better in those 16 courses, meeting the sliding scale requirement of the SATs and ACTs, and graduating from high school. [9] X Research source Read the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete here: http://www. amateursports365. com/NCAA/2017-18%20Guide%20for%20the%20College-Bound%20Student-Athlete. pdf
Draft this list as early as you can in high school. Speak to the career guidance teacher at your high school to find out which colleges and scholarships are best suited to you.
Make sure the coaches at the colleges know you’re interested in getting a scholarship. Don’t be afraid to tell them some of the achievements you’ve had in basketball so far in life.
You can calculate your GPA here: https://www. athleticscholarships. net/gpa-calculator. htm. Use words like “driven,” “focused,” and “hard worker” in your “About Me” section to stand out to coaches and schools. In the basketball section, mention both individual and team achievements. While you are seeking a scholarship for yourself, talking about team achievements shows that you’re a team player. Placing your basketball section last shows the schools that look at your resumé that you place academics above basketball in your list of priorities.
No matter the position you usually play, include clips of all parts of your game, such as defending, passing, moving, and scoring.
You could write:“Dear Mr. /Ms. [coach’s name], I’m reaching out to you because I am looking to secure a basketball scholarship at [college name] for next year. I am attracted to [college name] not just because of the talented and successful basketball team, but also because of its rich history as an institute of education. I traveled to [the college and town] a few months ago and I fell in love with the place immediately. I’m attaching my resumé and a short video showing my basketball skills. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear back from you soon. Kindest regards,[Your full name]. "
Don’t ask the coach why they didn’t respond to your email when talking over the phone. Mention that you sent an email and that you’re calling to express your interest in the basketball program at that college. When talking to the coach, say “Hi, I sent you an email a couple of weeks ago about getting a basketball scholarship and I was wondering if you’d had a chance to look at it. "
When the coach replies, be polite regardless of what their answer is. Be grateful that they took the time to read your email. Say “I would like to express my deepest gratitude that you took the time to read my email and watch my highlights video. " It’s important that you never ignore an email or phone call from a coach. You might get replies from your preferred colleges and one at the bottom of your list. Don’t ignore the college at the bottom of your list. They might be your last option at the end of the process.
Your coach can give you vital information and tips on how to stand out in games when a college coach comes to watch you play.
