2026’s Recruiting Tips for Players With College Aspirations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the end of a recruiting journey, players often realize just how much they learned along the way and what they would do differently if they had to start over. We asked several athletes nearing the end of their high school careers to share the lessons, advice, and perspective they gained throughout the recruiting process to help the next group of players following the same path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Milika Satuala - University of Utah Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wish I knew that it's okay to be a little bit selfish during the process. Ask the hard questions, don't compare YOUR journey to other players, look for what will feel like home to YOU and has something to offer YOU, a place full of opportunities, and a place that will invest in YOU and YOUR future specifically. Because at the end of the day, YOU should choose what will give YOU the best experience both in basketball and outside of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Alia Baldassanno - Life Pacific Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would say to be patient because you don't always get what you want right away; it takes time. I'd also say to remember that you'll end up where you're supposed to be, so don't stress too much. Also, when deciding where to go, don't let level be the only reason you do or don't go somewhere, because in the end, you wanna go where you're going to be happy and grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Gomez - Utah Tech Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would say just really understanding the landscape of today's recruiting, just making realistic goals and understanding how coaches are recruiting at all levels, and that besides performing, you need to build relationships with the schools and coaches where you want to attend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Talyssa Nelson - Northwest Nazarene Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches through the recruiting process would tell me that little things could be the difference between getting an offer and not getting one. Little things like communication, running the floor hard, visible confidence, pursuing rebounds, being loud on the bench, body language, and cheering for teammates' successes were little things that make a big difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What you do off the court is important, just like what you do on the court. I learned at a late point in my recruitment how important networking is. It doesn't matter how good you are if coaches aren't able to see or know anything about you. Don't wait for coaches to find you. If you are interested in a program or a coach, then choose to pursue them. And choose to keep on networking even if a few coaches don't respond the way you want them to. In my experience, there is a direct correlation between the time you spend networking and the number of offers you have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Isabelle Wyaskett - Northwest Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing I wish I knew earlier is that recruiting is more about relationships and consistency than just stats or highlights. Coaches want to see how you communicate, how hard you work, and how you carry yourself over time, so staying patient and building genuine connections is huge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ella Creer - SLCC Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You need to do the work to reach out to coaches. You can't expect them to come to you. You have to be proactive and start early by emailing them and sending your schedules ahead of tournaments/events, etc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jaycee Carlson - Western Wyoming CC Commit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would probably say trying to pick places you would want to play at and just going hard at it, and going to their camps so that they can see you play and how you are on and off the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->