What It Really Takes to Get Recruited
A practical guide for student-athletes and families
Getting recruited can feel confusing, overwhelming, and unpredictable. One athlete commits early, another grinds for years before hearing anything. The truth is, recruiting is not one path, but there are clear steps you can take to put yourself in position.
This guide breaks down what coaches actually look for, what athletes should be doing, and how to take control of your recruiting journey.
1. The Social Media Struggle (And How to Fix It)
Social media was supposed to make recruiting easier. Instead, it's become another source of stress, confusion, and wasted time for athletes.
The Problem
- Information is scattered everywhere — Stats on one post, highlights on another, GPA buried in a comment thread
- Important posts get buried — Your best game film from last month is gone from your feed, replaced by random content
- No professional presentation — Coaches have to dig through personal posts, memes, and random content to find what matters
- Link in bio doesn't cut it — Most platforms only allow one link, forcing you to choose between highlight tape, stats, or contact info
- Algorithm chaos — You post your best content and it gets 12 views while a random video goes viral
- DMs get lost — Coaches' messages buried under spam, friend requests, and group chats
Meanwhile, college coaches are looking at dozens (sometimes hundreds) of athletes. They don't have time to hunt for your information across platforms.
The Solution: Player One Page
Instead of hoping coaches piece together your story from scattered social media posts, give them one clean, professional link that has everything they need.
- One link, all your information — Stats, highlights, academics, contact info, and social links in one place
- Professional layout — No ads, no distractions, just your recruiting profile
- Always up to date — Update your stats or add new film in seconds, no reposting needed
- Easy to share — Drop your link in your Instagram bio, TikTok profile, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, emails to coaches, and DMs
- Works with your social media — Don't replace your platforms, enhance them. Use social media to build your brand and drive traffic to your recruiting page
- Coaches find what they need fast — Everything organized, nothing buried, no hunting required
💡 How Top Recruits Use It
Post highlights, game clips, and training videos on Instagram and TikTok to build your audience and engage your followers. Then put your Player One Page link in your bio so coaches, scouts, fans, and supporters can get the full picture—stats, film, academics, and contact info—all in one click.
Social media builds your brand. Player One Page closes the deal.
What you get with Player One Page:
- Clean, distraction-free recruiting profile
- Easy-to-update stats, highlights, and academics
- Mobile-friendly design that looks professional on any device
- Custom URL you can share anywhere (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, email)
- Direct contact form so coaches can reach you easily
- No ads, no clutter, no algorithms—just your story
Stop making coaches search for your information. Make it easy for them to say yes.
2. Talent Matters — But It's Not the Whole Story
Yes, coaches recruit skill. But they also recruit:
- Consistency (game film over highlight clips)
- Coachability
- Basketball IQ
- Work ethic
- Attitude and effort
Many talented athletes don't get recruited because coaches can't trust what they're seeing or don't see enough of it. Your job is to reduce uncertainty and show who you are as a complete player.
3. Film Is Your Resume
Your film is often the first impression.
What coaches prefer:
- Full game footage (not just highlights)
- Clear jersey numbers
- Competitive games
- Multiple games, not just one
Highlights can grab attention. Full games earn trust. Coaches want to see how you play when the ball isn't in your hands, how you respond to adversity, and how consistent you are.
4. Exposure Doesn't Mean Viral
Exposure isn't about likes or followers. It's about:
- Playing in the right events
- Being in the right gyms
- Facing real competition
AAU, showcases, camps, and school seasons all matter—but only when they're intentional. Quality reps beat quantity every time.
5. Be Realistic About the Level of College Play
This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of recruiting.
Every athlete dreams of playing at the highest level, but recruitment is about fit, not labels. Division I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO all offer real opportunities to play college basketball.
Being realistic means:
- Understanding where your current development truly fits
- Comparing yourself to current college players at each level
- Being open to schools that match your size, speed, skill set, and on-court production
- Considering the academic level of the school, including admissions standards and classroom expectations
Chasing a level that doesn't match either your athletic profile or academic readiness can slow down or completely stall your recruitment. Athletes who honestly evaluate both often find more options, better coaching, and stronger long-term success.
⚖️ Athletic Fit vs Academic Fit
Athletic Fit
- Size, speed, strength, and position
- How you compare to current players at that level
- Your projected role (minutes, development, competition)
- Coaching style and system
Academic Fit
- Admissions standards and selectivity
- GPA and test score expectations
- Academic support for athletes
- Majors and programs aligned with your goals
The Goal: Find a school where you can contribute on the court and succeed in the classroom.
6. Academics Still Matter (A Lot)
Coaches recruit athletes who can:
- Get admitted
- Stay eligible
- Graduate
That means:
- Solid GPA
- On-track core courses
- Test scores (when required)
Strong academics can separate you from athletes with similar talent and often open doors to schools that might otherwise feel out of reach.
📋 NCAA Eligibility Checklist
Not sure if you're on track for NCAA eligibility? We've created a complete checklist that breaks down exactly what you need to do and when.
View NCAA Recruit Checklist →7. Communication Is Part of the Evaluation
Recruiting is a two-way process.
Athletes should:
- Email coaches directly
- Be respectful and specific
- Share schedules, film, and updates
- Follow up professionally
Coaches notice maturity, responsiveness, and effort. Silence often gets interpreted as lack of interest.
8. Timelines Look Different for Everyone
Some athletes commit early. Others commit late. Many commit after their senior season.
What matters most:
- Development over time
- Staying ready
- Not comparing your journey to someone else's
Late recruitment is still recruitment.
9. Control What You Can Control
You can't control:
- How many scholarships a coach has
- When a coach watches you
- Other recruits at your position
You can control:
- Your effort
- Your preparation
- Your film
- Your communication
- Your mindset
Recruiting rewards athletes who stay ready when opportunity shows up.
10. Parent Conduct Matters More Than You Think
Coaches don't just evaluate the athlete—they're also evaluating the family. Parent behavior at games and showcases directly impacts recruiting decisions, often in ways families don't realize.
Many talented athletes lose opportunities because of how their parents act on the sideline. Coaches want to recruit families they can work with, not manage around.
What Coaches Notice (and What Hurts You)
- Yelling at referees or coaches — Shows lack of control and respect
- Coaching from the sideline — Undermines the actual coach and distracts the player
- Criticizing your own child publicly — Creates a toxic environment coaches want to avoid
- Confronting coaches after games — Demonstrates poor boundaries and unrealistic expectations
- Being overly aggressive with college coaches — Comes across as pushy, not passionate
- Comparing your child to other players — Signals entitlement and lack of perspective
What Coaches Respect
- Staying composed — Even when calls don't go your way
- Supporting all players — Not just your own child
- Trusting the coach — Letting them do their job without interference
- Being professional with college coaches — Brief, respectful, and appropriate
- Letting your athlete lead — Stepping back and allowing them to own their recruitment
- Showing gratitude — Thanking coaches, tournament staff, and volunteers
⚠️ Real Talk
College coaches talk to each other. If your behavior is a red flag at one event, word spreads. Multiple coaches have passed on talented athletes specifically because of parent conduct.
Your child's talent opens doors. Your behavior can slam them shut.
The Best Thing Parents Can Do:
- Be present, but quiet
- Cheer for effort, not just results
- Let your athlete communicate with coaches
- Trust the process and stay patient
- Model the professionalism you want your child to have
Recruiting is about your athlete. Your job is to support them—not represent them, manage them, or defend them. Let them own their journey.
Final Thought
Being recruited isn't about being perfect. It's about being prepared, visible, realistic, and consistent.
The athletes who succeed are the ones who:
- Take ownership of their journey
- Understand where they fit
- Balance athletic and academic goals
- Keep working when no one is watching
Your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's. It just has to be honest, intentional, and well presented.
Ready to Get Recruited?
Create your professional recruiting page and put yourself in position.
Get Started Free