If you have ever been to a large AAU tournament, you know that thousands of players are playing at once. Hundreds of college coaches sit at the baseline of each court. Whistles go off every second, and the sound of basketballs echoes throughout the gym. This is an amazing opportunity for a basketball player hoping to get recruited to their dream school. However, it can also be intimidating and nerve-racking. As a Division 1 basketball player, here are 5 tips and aspects of your game that will help you learn how to get noticed by college basketball coaches.
How to Get Noticed by College Basketball Coaches
The Importance of Hustle
Coaches look at hustle as the number one factor. No coach wants to recruit a lazy player. They want to see someone who is willing to work. At my college, my coach uses the term toughness points. You can earn these points by diving for a loose ball, taking a charge, and making extreme hustle plays. Doing these little things makes a player even more coachable, which creates a high appeal for a coach to recruit the player.
Demonstrating Good Sportsmanship
Every athlete has been told that sportsmanship is a significant part of recruiting. However, most people fail to make an effort to be good teammates. The way you sit on the bench after being taken out of a game is more important than many people think. If you act laid back, as if it’s your time to rest and not focus on the game, it shows the coach that you care more about yourself than the team. However, if you watch your teammates and see sitting out as a chance to learn, it sends a message to the coach. It shows that you want to do well and that you want your team to win.
Excelling in Defense
Highlight reels mostly revolve around scoring. However, most players recruited at the college level can score. Defense takes effort and grit. Not all players have the drive to perform the little details that make great defenders. Good footwork and hustle show a player who is disciplined in on-ball defending and helps defend.
Showcasing Your Skills
This one is more obvious than the others. Any good basketball player must have excellent skills to play at a high level. These skills can range from being an elite passer, scorer, ball handler, etc. Ensure that your fundamentals are sharp and that you can execute your role efficiently.
Responding Appropriately to Situations
Interactions between a player and a coach or referee can show a coach what type of person the player is without even talking to the player. When you have a conversation with a ref, you must be respectful. Even if the call is incorrect or you are unhappy with the outcome, it is better to walk away than get into an argument. If a coach takes you out of the game, you can ask what you did wrong, as long as you are respectful.
Many young athletes think that scoring is the only way to get recruited. Although it is important to score, there are many other things you can do to get a coach’s attention. If you want to improve your skills before your next AAU tournament, training with a private basketball coach can set you up for success. Find a trainer on our site and hone your craft through private or small group lessons today:
