Step Number 11: Playing at the Next Level

Most kids who play basketball dream of playing on the big stage in their lifetime. Although this task is very difficult, it can be done if you do things the right way. This week I came up with some great tips that can primarily help high school students get into college and play basketball at virtually any level.

Skill- Bottom line you have to be good enough to play at the highest level in college which is considered Division I. That is a primary level for a lot young athletes because the NBA does most of their recruiting from this level. You have to make sure that if you are serious about the game that you work on your game constantly both on and off the floor.

Grades- This is just as important if not more important than skill. Every college coach is looking for a student athlete. A student athlete is one who can excel both on the court and in the classroom. This is very hard for a lot of athletes because it is difficult for most to excel in both. You don't have to a 4.0 GPA but you will need to have passing grades and a good ACT score preferably 20 and above. Also once you make the team you still have to have good grades to play so make sure you stay on top of them.

Exposure- This has become a big deal in the last decade when it comes to the sport. Making people aware of your talent can be beneficial in so many ways. The more people that know your game the more you will be recruited. Some things you can do is go to high level camps, play AAU, make a highlight tape, and have good numbers in the stat book. 

Contact Coaches- A lot of athletes are not aware that you can contact any coach to express your interest. Most kids think if you are good they will come to you. That may be the case but coaches don't know every single good player in the nation. They rely heavily on AAU and recruiting service networks but that isn't enough. You can contact any coach by email. Make sure you have proper grammar and sell yourself (Why Should They Recruit You?). Make sure you give them important information like stats, highlights, and awards. You'll be surprised who you receive contact from.