Playing college basketball is more competitive than ever. If you want to make it to the next level you need to have a plan. Having a plan will really help you to stay positive when your in your senior and still uncommitted to a school. In this article, we provide you with 5 actionable steps for uncommitted seniors who are still looking for a school to play college basketball for, next season. Below we outline 5 practical steps you can take. If you choose to take these steps, you will give yourself a better chance to find yourself a college basketball team to play for next season.
Step 1: Consider Other Divisions Besides D1
Yes, you want to play D1 basketball and it is great that you are aiming high but you shouldn’t cut yourself off from looking at other divisions. There are fantastic basketball opportunities to be had at every level of basketball from NCAA D2 to NAIA to Junior College. Having your sights set on playing D1 basketball and working towards that goal is encouraged. However, giving yourself a wider scope and allowing yourself to look at the other divisions, you might be surprised as to how good the offers from these schools can be. This would also be a good point for you to write down what you want from your college basketball experience. Do you want to play in front of a big crowd? Do you want the best scholarship offer you can get? Do you want to be able to play and study at a high level? What degree do you want to major in? Are you looking to continue your basketball career after college? All of these are important questions that will get you thinking. You never know, you might get an offer from an NAIA school that ticks all the boxes for you! The only way to find this out is to keep your options open and consider all divisions.
Step 2: Create or Update Your Recruiting Video
At this point we are presuming you already have your highlight video together. If not, you need to get on this immediately as it will be your primary tool for getting yourself recruited. If you still have some film left to edit, do it now and add your most recent highlights to your video. We can’t stress this enough. Your video is the key to you getting an offer from a college coach. Using your video is the best way to create meaningful exposure for yourself. Thinking a D1 basketball coach is going to see you in person this late in the game is not a realistic option. Your time is limited to secure yourself an offer before your time is up. Finding college coaches who are looking for your position and getting your video in front of them is the best strategy. You can do this by contacting them directly and sending them a link to your profile. Using your video to connect and engage with a coach is a must. By doing this you will create interest. It is the most effective way of showing the coach that you are available and you are what he is looking for. Make it your priority to create a video that clearly shows yourself at your best.
Step 3: Get Organized and Prepare for Video Follow Up
If you haven’t already, you need to get yourself registered with NCAA Clearinghouse and/or NAIA Clearinghouse. This is a very important step in the recruitment process. Being registered with clearinghouses is a requirement for you to play NCAA D1, D2 and NAIA college basketball. As an uncommitted senior, you need to create a profile for college coaches. Your profile should include your full name, position, height, weight etc. You can also include one rep max achievements but don’t put anything in your profile that you can’t prove. Now that you have all your profile information together along with your recruitment video, it is important that you use your time wisely. You want to makes sure you are targeting schools that are still recruiting your position. Do not waste your time contacting schools who have already completed their rosters. Don’t waste your time contacting a school that are only recruiting a center if your a point guard. As an uncommitted senior, time is limited and you need to make your time count!
Step 4: Contact Colleges That Are Recruiting Your Position
Now is the time to use your time wisely. You want to target college coaches who are specifically recruiting your position. Once you have found them you can send them your profile link for them to view. Once they have reviewed your profile, if you are what they are looking for they will contact you. You should not limit yourself to just a few schools either. Contact as many schools as you can who are recruiting your position. This will maximize your chances of getting that desired offer to play college basketball. And remember, don’t just target D1 basketball programs. Like we mentioned previously, you should be targeting schools from all the divisions. This way you will have a lot more coaches looking at your profile with (hopefully) a lot more offers coming your way.
Step 5: Talking to College Coach & Visiting Campuses
Now that you’ve got your video and profile together, and you have contacted all the college coaches who were recruiting your position, it is time to speak with college coaches that are interested in you and visit some campuses. Whether its a D1 coach or another division coach getting back to you, its time to consider your options. Make sure you come up with a list of questions you want to ask the coach about their program. Find out what degrees the school has to offer but most importantly, listen to what the coach has to say. He will tell you exactly why he is interested, what role he has in mind for you at his program and what the school has to offer you. If you are both happy after the conversation, now it’s time to arrange a visit. Going on a visit is a great experience for both you and the coach. You will get to meet each other and interact. You will get a feel for the school and see if this is somewhere you can see yourself being. It’s another opportunity to ask questions and answer questions if the coach has any more for you. You also get to check out the local area.