What Do College Coaches Want?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Practice Evaluations</h2>   As a scout, evaluator, and college assistant, it is my personal belief that seeing a basketball player perform many repetitions in multiple seasons/environments is necessary to make a comprehensive evaluation. Showcases, travel games, high school games, and practices/training sessions are the four primary environments where evaluation happens. Practices provide a unique opportunity for coaches to control the environment and design a session that demonstrates the ability of their athletes to perform a wide range of fundamental skills. This uninterrupted 2-hour block of high repetitions (ball touches) for every athlete is not possible during games. My goal when attending these practices has been to 1) evaluate players on the team, 2) provide positive write-ups that emphasize the strengths of each player, and 3) share my knowledge about the recruiting process with the coaches and athletes.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Ultimate Recruiting Question</h2>   The most prevalent question I have been asked at practice is "What do college coaches look for?" This question refers to when a college coach watches a high school prospect compete and decides whether she has what it takes to play for them and/or help their program win games. The paragraphs to follow are my best effort to answer that question for all in our community who want to learn more about the potential criteria and processes used by college coaches who are evaluating high school players.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">College Evaluation Criteria</h2>   Every college level and conference has certain physical/athletic characteristics a prospect needs to succeed at a specific position (Guard/Wing/Forward). HM D1, MM D1, LM D1, JUCO D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO D2, etc.   When it comes to those physical characteristics--height, agility, athleticism, size, and speed, some prospects will not meet those standards, which will rule them out from being recruited by certain schools/levels. I have shared the height averages from D1 and D2 college rosters in the past, and suggest looking up the heights of current players at your position on rosters of every team/level you are interested in. A player who is undersized for their position must be exceptional in athleticism and/or fundamental skills to be recruited. For example, an undersized point guard could be incredibly quick, a lockdown defender, a 3-point sniper, an elusive ball-handler who can win 1v1 situations, an advanced passer/decision maker, a tireless competitor.   There are fundamental skills, non-negotiable behaviors, and character qualities that are required to be recruited at any college level.   College coaches at every level have the luxury of being selective and picky. There are many high schoolers and college transfers available to be recruited. Limit the number of skills, behaviors, and academic roadblocks that could give colleges a reason not to recruit you.   Recruitable Fundamental Skills and Behaviors   Competency handling the ball with both hands under pressure (not throwing the ball away or having it stolen); accurate passes with both hands (a pass you want to receive); making layups off one and two feet with both hands; finishing contested layups around the basket (not flailing arms looking for a foul call); using pivots/footwork to create space to shoot and pass (not traveling, double dribbles, throwing up off-balance shots); shooting efficiently from 3-point range (high % not merely a volume shooter or a "chucker"); making free throws, (free throws win games) making extra passes/smart decisions with the ball, (shot selection and shot discipline, create for others); understanding spacing on offense and moving without the ball (standing is easy to defend); communicating with teammates on the court, (silence results in failure and confusion); defending your position effectively, (if you can't defend your position then you will not be recruited); taking plays off on the court (effort, determination, competitiveness, pride, and self-motivation are non-negotiable qualities to play college basketball); pursuing rebounds/winning the battle; showing respectful body language/attentiveness/energy with teammates, parents, and coaches, (if you don't respect coaches, parents, and teammates then college coaches will assume you won't respect them either); working hard in the classroom (If you're ineligible academically then you can't help any program on the court); physically conditioned and strong through weight training (conditioning and strength training is constant at the college level, start in high school).   Final Thought   Discover what it takes to be a college basketball player at different levels and in different conferences by watching the teams in person. Seeing is the only way to gain perspective.   Develop the areas of weakness in your game, character, academics, and physical development because they can make all the difference in whether you are recruited or passed over.