Be Intentional: Navigating College Basketball Recruitment

Brandon Tinnon June 2, 2025 @ 08:20 AM

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   I had the opportunity to sit down with a collegiate recruiter recently, and after our conversation, my advice to you, prospective student, is this: be intentional in what you do. As an athlete, you don't have a ton of time to play around with. You must be smart in the way that you move and the decisions you make. Everything must come with deep thought and common sense, as you move forward on this journey to playing basketball. You can play at a higher level. You just have to be smart when it comes to preparing to achieve that goal. Let me explain even further what I am talking about.   Everyone is on a different journey. Rarely are two athletes' paths the same. Similar? Sure. The same, no. See, we as coaches and scouts can't dictate what the future holds. We don't know what coaches are looking for, need at that time, nor know what their recruiting budget is. There is a study out there that says more than 35% of freshman collegiate athletes transfer. That could be for various reasons. If that is the case, it puts you, a prospective high school athlete, behind the 8 ball. A college coach is going to tap into the portal first. Why? In collegiate sports, you have to win, and there is little development at the next level. Teams don't have time to develop the end of their roster, especially if they feel that kid may transfer. So the investment piece and focus on development isn't there all the time. So, as a prospect, you have to be mentally prepared going into this that you have to grind at everything you do.   You, as a prospect, also must change your outlook on things. Sure, you earned a scholarship to attend a university. Maybe you got some NIL money to go along with it. What you've got to do, though, is grind away to make sure you make it into the top 7-8 man rotation. That should be your goal right from the jump. Cause sure you made it to the next level, but guess what? The next recruiting class, they are going to be looking for someone to be in the top 7-8 man rotation, so you've got to be ready to compete. Now, along with the rigors of school and the adjustment to life away from home, that task can be tough. You can do it, I know you can.   It's important to move and be intentional in all that you do. Going to the right camps, picking the right trainers, schools, travel ball programs, etc. Everything matters. There are tons of opportunities and people who do these things right, you just have to do what fits you best. Choose the things that are going to get you prepared for the next level, and when the choice is made, excel at learning the skills that are going to make up the best version of you. When it comes to camps, maybe the first year or two, try different places out to see what you like. Doesn't matter the level, gain a better perspective of where you fit. It's important to research and visit schools as well. When schools see that you are willing to come and visit on your own, they too become even more interested because you are beginning to establish a relationship as well. You are showing that you are serious about them, and I am hopeful that they become more serious about you.   With all this being said, go out and get ‘em, champ. You are a part of the basketball fabric woven throughout this great state of Tennessee. I, as well as others, am rooting for you like crazy. Seeing kids playing at the next level from our state is such a sight to see. I love discussing with other people how this girl did this and this girl did that, and they hail right here from this state. So go out and be the best version of you. You can do it. Just remember to be smart and intentional in all that you do. Time is everything, and making sure you maximize every opportunity is crucial to your success

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION