Advice 2026 Recruits Wish They Had Earlier

My articles on Memorial will be slightly different from what I've done for almost half a decade, because most of this won't be things I've written. In the first of my two articles today, you will see responses from prospects committed to play basketball in all three divisions about what they wish they had known before they began the recruiting process, whenever it may have started for them. I may have some more responses to add at a later time because many of these athletes have things going on, like Memorial Day with their family or graduation, and I didn't want to badger them too much while they are busy. That said, here are the responses I received after asking the question "What is one thing you wish you knew about the recruiting process now that you've gone through it?"   D2 Northern Michigan commit Alli Jirsa   "Reaching out really matters. Send the emails, send the texts, share your film, you have to be your biggest advocate. Coaches are looking for a lot more than just your ability to score the ball. Take pride in your defense, facilitate the offense, bring the energy and communication, be a threat every time you catch the ball, and most importantly, be a good teammate.   D1 Wisconsin-Madison commit Leah Nordin   "Most coaches aren't recruiting solely off of highlights/stats; they look at body language, how you react after calls, and how you interact with your teammates on the court."   D3 Wisconsin-Whitewater commit Gracee Langer   "One thing I wish I knew earlier about the recruiting process is how important it is to have a strong support system around you. I was lucky enough to have people around me who had been through the recruiting process before and knew how to help guide me through the ups and downs of it. Having people you trust to support your decisions and keep you grounded makes a huge difference."   D2 Michigan Tech commit Jasmin Heuer   "I wish that I knew how important it was to be an advocate for yourself and to put yourself out there to get recognition."   D2 Wisconsin-Parkside commit Izabel Durst   "One thing I wish I knew about the recruiting process now that I've gone through it is that everything really does work out the way it's supposed to. It's easy to compare yourself to other players and stress about timelines, offers, and who is getting attention, but everyone's journey looks different. I wish I would've focused less on worrying about where everyone else was and trusted my own process more."   D1 Mount St. Mary's commit Rachel Chilicki   "One thing I wish I knew going into the recruiting process was how many questions coaches ask you. They want to get to know you more than just as a player, and they want to see how much you are interested in their school. Coaches would ask me if I had any questions about the team or school in general, and honestly, early in the recruiting process, I would always say no, not off the top of my head. Looking back, I wish I would have done more research and had a small list of questions to show I truly was interested in their school."   D2 Grand Valley commit Graycin Phillips   "I wish I knew that the recruiting process doesn't always go the way you picture it. I was committed to a school I thought was perfect for me at the time, but things changed, and the process became a lot longer and harder. I realized that where you end up is way more important than the hype around a school early on. I ended up at one of the best D2 programs in the country, and it turned out to be the best fit for me. I learned that setbacks or changes in recruiting don't mean failure, but they lead you exactly where you're supposed to be."   D3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit Audrey Meudt   "I wish I knew to keep my priorities straight. If your major is super important to you, don't change. As an incoming nursing major, it would be hard to play at a higher division, but I had to think about which is more important to me. Switching my major was something I debated over and over, but basketball is 4 years, and your career is your whole life. Look for what you want in a school. Would you be happy without basketball? And then I wish I was told when you find the school for you, commit. It's okay to commit early, and it's okay to wait. But don't miss out on your dream program and opportunity because you were told it's too early."   D1 Wright State commit Rowan Klesmit   "One thing I wish I knew more about the recruiting process, is how up and down it can get emotionally. There's always times coaches are reaching out to you and talking to you constantly, and there's also times where it can get quiet. But that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. You can go from talking to a coach everyday that makes you feel like a priority, and then all of a sudden things go quiet because of roster changes or similar things, or especially in today's world, portal pickups. Sometimes you can look at that on a personal level, but it's so important to remember that it has nothing to do with your value as a player, and that's just the process of getting recruited."   D1 Wisconsin-Green Bay commit Ady Ketterhagen   "The recruiting process is long, and it can be stressful if you let it be. But it can also be a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and picture yourself at different colleges with different people and environments. You meet so many coaches and learn a lot throughout the process. I think the biggest thing is to just be yourself. Don't try to act like someone you're not, because coaches aren't recruiting a fake version of you, they're recruiting you for who you are."   D1 Wisconsin-Green Bay commit Riley Ketterhagen   "One thing I wish I knew about the recruiting process is how important relationships and patience are. When I went through the recruiting process, I thought it was all about offers, rankings, and who was contacting me the most. But after going through it, I realized the most important thing is finding coaches and a program that truly believe in me as a person, not just as a player. The process can be stressful and overwhelming, and it's easy to compare yourself to other athletes, but everyone's journey and timing is different. You want a place where you can grow as a player and a person, be supported, and continue to play the sport you love."   D2 Maryville commit Melia Lemorande   "I wish I knew how important reaching out to colleges is. Emailing and doing your own research is essential. Waiting around for them to contact you is not as efficient as emailing and/or sending your highlights to schools you're interested in."   D1 Wisconsin-Madison commit Adaline Sheplee   "I wish that I would have known that I am in control of my recruitment. There were times it felt overwhelming, and it consumed a lot of my time. So I wish I could have recognized sooner that I get to control my recruitment and allow myself time to take a break from phone calls or other aspects of the recruiting process."   *I'd also like to add a disclaimer that if you are reading this as a 2026 graduate and would also like to add your own response to this article, feel free to reach out to me, and I will get your response in here as well.

My articles on Memorial will be slightly different from what I've done for almost half a decade, because most of this won't be things I've written. In the first of my two articles today, you will see responses from prospects committed to play basketball in all three divisions about what they wish they had known before they began the recruiting process, whenever it may have started for them. I may have some more responses to add at a later time because many of these athletes have things going on, like Memorial Day with their family or graduation, and I didn't want to badger them too much while they are busy. That said, here are the responses I received after asking the question "What is one thing you wish you knew about the recruiting process now that you've gone through it?"