In the world of college recruiting, their is that elite group that does not have to do much to get noticed and recruited by the top level schools.  Beyond that, the majority of future college basketball players fall into the middle of the pack.  There, it is a race to the front…a race to stand out and be remembered by the many college coaches that are looking to see if your skills fit into their program.  How are you going to stand out amidst this crowd?  In last month’s college recruiting tip, I spoke about being prepared to play at the college level.  Making sure that you are doing everything that you can to get yourself to a level that you can play college basketball.

This month’s college recruiting tip is to BE PERSISTENT.  College Coaches will have a hard time remembering you if you only get in touch with them once in a while.   It is imperative that you, the prospective college player, be persistent in your attempts to get the coaches’ attention.  With so many ways to communicate, it is very easy to get in touch with college coaches in a variety of ways.  Start off with an email or a phone call to the 10-15 colleges that you are interested in (the top assistant coach usually handles recruiting so he might be your best bet).  Then send a follow-up-letter (I know it is old-fashioned, but it works) expressing your interest in their school.  Be sure to include your Recruiting Cards with your letter so that coaches can put a face to a name and get an idea of your stats and noteworthy accomplishments.  By sending them your Recruiting Cards along with your letter you will only increase your chances of being remembered in the crazy college recruiting market.  It is also a good idea to send them some game film.  I would try to avoid highlight tapes because anyone can put together a tape of their greatest moments and make themselves look like a college player.  College coaches want actual game film that can show them how you play in game situations.  Finally, I would make sure you email them your AAU and high school schedules and invite them out to see a game or two during the seasons. 

I know that this sounds a little overbearing, but you are trying to get into college, right?  You want to play basketball in college, right?  Then you have to do what it takes to not only get noticed,  but STAND OUT in the college recruiting market that is stacked with perspective players.  So BE PERSISTENT and use the multitude of resources that are at your finger tips so that you are not left standing in the dust as the pack passes you by.