How to Get Recruited for College Basketball

Getting recruited to play men’s college basketball is an exciting but competitive journey. With thousands of athletes vying for a roster spot, standing out to college coaches takes talent, preparation, and a strategic approach. This guide will walk you through how to get recruited for college basketball, everything you need to know to showcase your skills, connect with coaches, and find the right program for your future.  

How does college basketball recruiting work? 

The college basketball recruiting process is all about finding the right players who can make an impact on and off the court. As a coach, the process involves identifying talent, building relationships, and ensuring recruits are a good fit for the program. Here’s an inside look: 

1. Scouting Players. Coaches attend high school games, AAU tournaments, and showcases to evaluate athletes. They also rely on highlight videos and online profiles to find talent early. 
2. Assessing Fit. Beyond skills, coaches consider a player’s work ethic, coachability, and academics. The goal is to find athletes who align with the team’s playing style and culture. 
3. Building Relationships. Communication starts with letters, emails, and calls to gauge mutual interest. As coaches develop a relationship with recruits, they will invite them to a campus visits—unofficial and official—allow coaches to meet athletes and their families. 
4. Making Offers. Coaches extend verbal offers or scholarship opportunities to recruits who meet their needs. 
5. Finalizing Commitments. Once a recruit signs a financial aid agreement from the NCAA or other agreements if attending a NAIA or JUCO school.  

How to get recruited to play men’s college basketball

Recruiting isn’t a linear, clear-cut process. You could be nearing the end of your conversations with one coach, while simultaneously just beginning with another. But knowing what steps you can take to create a communication strategy and market yourself will help you secure a scholarship offer. 

1. Create your recruiting profile. Showcase your skills with an NCSA recruiting profile to get seen by over 40,000 college coaches. Include key stats, game footage that highlights your strengths and your academic achievements.  
2. Research and build a target list. Student-athletes should visit college rosters and look at the players in their position (are they seniors who are graduating?), athletic stats (how do they measure up?) and backgrounds (does the coach recruit from a particular region or tournament?). 
3. Compete at the highest level possible: To accurately assess a recruit’s ability to compete in college, coaches want to see them play against high-ranked athletes. 
4. Compete in the summer during live periods: Scheduling conflicts make it difficult for college coaches to watch recruits play in-person during the regular season. So, they turn to live periods. These stretches in the offseason allow college basketball scouts and coaches to hit the road and scout several players at once. Attend elite or exposure camps as well. 
5. Excel academically. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility and amateur status for all NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 athletes. Understand the requirements to stay on track. 
6. Create a highlight film. The best way to secure an in-depth and in-person evaluation is by sending coaches a highlight video and a full game film. It’s a quick way to show a snapshot of the recruit’s skill set. 
7. Be proactive. Start by sending an introductory email that includes your online profile, highlight video, academic information, outstanding athletic achievements and personal interest in the program. Then follow up with a phone call. 

What do college basketball scouts look for in recruits?

College coaches consider a few factors when determining an athlete’s ability.  

• Physical characteristics—height and body frame, athleticism and strength. In NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball, the average height of a college basketball player was just under 6’5” and the most common height listed was 6’7”. That being said, D1 basketball athletes range in height and there is no height requirement to be considered for a D1 program.  
• Technical skills. Coaches want to recruit student-athletes who have mastered the fundamentals. 
• Basketball IQ. Can the student-athlete process information in real time during a game and make the right decisions? 
• Academics. College coaches look for recruits who excel in the classroom. They know that student-athletes with a solid GPA and test scores will more likely be admitted into their university and have an easier college transition. Plus, a good GPA also tells coaches that the recruit is responsible and disciplined—traits they highly value.   

Of course, what coaches look for also depends on their program’s specific needs. Connecting with a college coach is the best way to understand what kind of recruit they need. Another quick way is to visit the team’s website and analyze their roster. 

How important is club basketball in the college basketball recruiting process? 

Club basketball plays a significant role in the college basketball recruiting process. Competing in club programs, particularly organizations like AAU, provides athletes with opportunities to face top-tier competition, which helps develop their skills and showcases their abilities to college coaches.  

Club basketball events often attract college coaches, offering valuable exposure that high school seasons alone might not provide. These events also allow athletes to compete in front of multiple coaches at once, increasing their chances of being noticed.  

Learn more about AAU basketball and the benefits here.  

What to know about college basketball walk ons and how to walk onto a college basketball team

What is a walk in in college basketball? 
Walk-on recruits join the team without receiving athletic aid. Roster spots for walk-ons are limited, as coaches typically prioritize scholarship athletes, making the walk-on route highly competitive. 

What is a preferred walk-on?  
While rare, some student-athletes are recruited to a college basketball program as a preferred walk-on. These athletes go through the same recruiting process as all other athletes, but they don’t receive any athletic aid with their college offer.  

Being a preferred walk-on means something different depending on the division and program, though. In NCAA Division 1, walk-ons typically don’t see much playing time and are less likely to receive an athletic scholarship in subsequent years. It is best to have clear communication with the college coach to understand playing and scholarship opportunities. 

Learn more about becoming a walk-on versus getting a scholarship offer. 

Do college basketball teams have tryouts? 

Yes. College basketball tryouts are an opportunity for student-athletes to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the team as a walk-on. While NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 programs are allowed to conduct basketball tryouts, Division 3 cannot do so.  

Tryouts are limited to prospective student-athletes who are seniors in high school, junior college transfers or four-year transfers who have completed their basketball season. Tryout participants also must be on an official or unofficial visit to the campus.  

Typically, college coaches recruit just one or two walk-ons per year. At the Division 1 level, walk-ons don’t receive athletic scholarships and rarely see playing time.  

In Division 2 and JUCO programs, walk-ons have more opportunities to compete for a roster spot and may even earn partial athletic scholarships after their first year. 

How to prepare for basketball tryouts and what coaches look for in basketball tryouts 

When considering walk-on athletes, college basketball coaches look for more than just raw talent. A strong work ethic is essential, as walk-ons need to demonstrate they are willing to put in the extra effort to improve their skills and contribute to the team. Coaches also seek players with a team-first mentality who are willing to take on any role, whether it’s supporting teammates during games or pushing the team in practice.  

When it comes to preparing for a basketball tryout, here are some things to focus on: 

• Make sure you are in top physical condition. Incorporating cardio, strength training, and agility drills into your routine will help you be prepared for the fast pace of a tryout.  

• Sharpen your fundamental basketball skills is key. Coaches want to see solid dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive skills, so practicing these basics under pressure is essential. 

• Understanding the coach’s system. This can give you a significant edge. Watching games, analyzing plays, and learning the coach’s playing style will help you adapt quickly to the system and show that you can contribute.  

• Have a positive attitude. Coaches look for players who stay focused, work hard, and show resilience even when faced with challenges. Your mindset should be one of growth and enthusiasm, as coaches also value effort and attitude in addition to skill. 
  
• Be a team player. Coaches want athletes who communicate well, encourage their teammates, and show they’re willing to work together for the team’s success.  

Men’s College Basketball FAQs 

Get Started with NCSA Today! 

Our team of former student-athletes knows exactly what it takes to navigate the recruiting journey—they’ve been in your shoes. From tackling the nerves of reaching out to coaches to building a standout profile, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Take control of your future and create a free profile today!