May 20, 2005, Newsletter Issue #215: RECRUITING - THE SUMMER CIRCUIT AND/OR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Tip of the Week

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TIP OF THE WEEK
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Because the summertime NCAA evaluation period is so condensed, it is crucial for a player to participate in "an exposure event" or two during the NCAA evaluation dates. This years NCAA evaluation periods are July 6-15 and July 22-31. The elite player with DI, DII aspirations needs to attend a camp/tournament during that time. The HS coach can use those times to give other players a little PT.

However, before July 6 and from July 16-21 is a Dead Period for the NCAA. That leaves plenty of "exclusive" time for the player to stay with the HS. The high school coaches are trying to bring together a new group of players to mold into their group for the following season. What each player chooses to do in the summer says to the rest of his teammates exactly what he thinks about them. When a group of players can count on each other and truly trust their teammates they can perform at a higher level. So it is just as crucial for the player to fully commit to his HS teammates during those times. That means that he may have to work it out with his travel/AAU coach in regards to practices to give the HS his total attention. A little give at both ends.

Playing in a couple of HS tournaments or a team camp before July 2 and another tournament the weekend of July 16 would allow a good number of games to be played with that recruitable player. Add a couple of summer league games a week and that should be plenty to set some groundwork for the upcoming high school season. Of course, the more competitive schools can take their team or all of their recruitable players in the program and go play in one of the camps as a team. Killing two birds with one stone.

Keep in mind that the longest evaluation period on the NCAA calendar is from November to March - the HS basketball season. It is a misconception that coaches are only out in the summer. College coaches are allowed 40 evaluation days in the winter, selected at their discretion. The school`s coaching staff shall not visit a prospect`s school on more than one day per week during that period. If the NCAA`s largest period is during the high school regular season, maybe we need to rethink which is "more important" and how coaches schedule. Single day events during the season where coaches can see multiple teams are probably more important to have on the schedule, and of course anytime the team can compete in a bigger tournament with quality teams, they should do so.

Players do need to also be a little concerned with "overexposure". Going to every showcase/camp/tournament that is available also increases the chance that the "red line" goes thru your name after a series of subpar performances. Make a splash, get on the radar,
market yourself, and then make them come to you.

The best technique, again, is to be proactive and come up with a list of realistic schools that you want to look at you. Call or write ahead of time and let them know your summer schedule and where you will be at. They are more apt to track you down to take a look.
Players who are committed should really want to do it all. Plenty of players (with the support of wonderful parents) travel back and forth from their events at Dominguez Hills/Lynwood/Long Beach to the local high school summer tournament to be with their team. That is commitment. That is leadership. And that is the kind of player that a college coach will recruit.

But remember, the most important thing in the off-season is not the exposure, it is to become better - otherwise you really get exposed.

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PEARLS OF WISDOM
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"You don`t have to be a stud to be a good wrestler...I recruited everybody because anybody can get to a level where they`re able to compete if they`re willing to put in the time."
Scott Cardwell, former Oregon State wrestler and Wrestling Coach for Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon

"It is only through work and strife that either nation or individual moves on to greatness. The great man is always the man of mighty effort, and usually the man whom grinding need has trained to mighty effort."
Theodore Roosevelt, in a speech about Grant, delivered at Galena, Illinois, April 27, 1900

"The five S`s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit."
Ken Doherty

“You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers. “
Les Brown

There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you`re interested in doing something, you do it only when it`s convenient. When you`re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. Kenneth Blancbard

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