What college coaches look for in players.

As a basketball trainer I am often asked what college coaches look for in a player. Most high school players are concerned about their stats. Your stats are not the only thing coaches look at when they are recruiting players. Don't get me wrong, coaches would love to have a player that can put up big numbers but it's more to than that. I was recently reading a blog by a college coach and he wrote about what he looks for in a player. There were three things he looks for; character, academics, and the "right" basketball players.

1. Character: This is such a big issue with college coaches. When a coach gives you thousands of dollars to come to their school to play basketball you must have good character. How do you interact with teammates, coaches, school staff, and authorities? What type of company do you keep? If you are the type to hang out with the wrong crowd then coaches may think you could be a problem and not recruit you. How do you handle criticism from the coaching staff? Are you coachable? If a college coach don't believe you are coachable then he may stay away from you. The college game has turned into win now. Coaches that are not winning are being let go and replaced. Coaches are not going to waste time, money, and scholarships on players that have character issues and are problems on and off the court.

2. Academics: How are your grades? Do you have the necessary GPA to qualify for the NCAA? Have you been cleared through the clearing house? Do you know the requirements to be admitted to the school(s) recruiting you? Have you taken the ACT and/or the SAT? You have complete control over your academics. You don't as much control over who recruits you, but you can control your GPA and test scores. It would be a shame for you to be recruited by several D1 or D2 schools and then not qualify because of a low GPA or test score. If you make a commitment to getting better on the court, then you must make a commitment to getting better in the classroom.

3. "Right" basketball player: Notice this third one does not say the best basketball player. Also, notice that it is third on the coaches list. To get a basketball scholarship you don't have to be the best basketball player on your high school or junior college team. You just need to be the right player for the right system. You hear about this all the time in college football. When quarterbacks get ready for the NFL draft experts may say "He's a system player." To make a college team or to be offered a scholarship you must be able to fill a void. Does the team need a shooter, rebounder, defender, or playmaker? If the skills you have to offer match the void or needs of a college team then you increase your chances of securing a scholarship.