Also, it is essential to note that these keys are not the "Ten Commandments of College Recruiting." Many coaches have a very personalized way of recruiting players that works specifically for them or their head coach. These ten keys, though, will help to increase your overall value and will also help to increase your chances of getting a coach's attention, and ultimately a scholarship. 

Coachability

No coach wants a player on their team that takes away from what the group is trying to accomplish. Coaches want players that are coachable and willing to buy into what is best for the team. You need to be the player that is willing to be coached and is ready to put the team first. If you show up every day to work your hardest, buy into what the coach is saying, and then do your best to execute that, you will be known as a coachable player. You had better believe that college coaches will ask your high school coach, whether you are coachable or not. 

Ball Handling

Being able to hand the ball (regardless of position) is becoming more and more a part of the game of basketball. It may not be bringing the ball up the floor to run an offense, but if you can relieve pressure, create for a teammate, etc., you will add a lot of value to your game. On the flip side, if you are nervous with the ball and are always turning it over, you are going to be a liability on offense. So work on your ball handling, and show that you can handle the ball. 

How Many Positions You Can Play?

Another significant change in the evolution of basketball is the idea of positionless basketball. With players like LeBron playing 1-5, coaches recognize the value of changing their lineups. The more you can be fluid with the position that you play (must be able to perform each position well), the more value you will add to your game. If you can show that you can play at 2 or 3 different positions, you will have that much more of a chance to be recruited. 

Basketball IQ

The higher the level of basketball that you play, the more you are going to need to have a basketball IQ. Coaches want to see that you can think the game and understand what is going on. That means that you need to be spending time studying the game of basketball. It could be watching games, studying a specific player, using online basketball resources, reading books, etc. The important thing is that you are always a student of the game and continuing to develop your basketball IQ. 

Rebounding

If you are a post player, this is a must, but even as a guard, you can add value to your stock by being able to battle on the boards. The more you can help to end defensive possession and create new opportunities on the offensive glass, the more value you add. This doesn't mean that you have to get the board every time, either. If you box out on every single shot, coaches are going to take notice.  

How Do You React When Things Aren't Going Well?

This is a big one. A good college coach isn't just going to watch your highlight tape; they are also going to want to see how you carry yourself when things aren't going well for you. They want to see how you react to a bad call, a miserable shooting night, when your team is struggling, etc. It is essential that even when things are not going well, that you have good body language, are still competing, and are being a good teammate. These are the types of players that college coaches want on their team, and also should be the player that you want to be regardless. 

Defensive Execution

Defense wins championships. I am sure you have heard this phrase before, but it really is true. Yes, you need to score points, but you also need to be able to stop the other team from doing so. As a player, you must be showing your value on the defensive end of the floor. You should be communicating at a high level, having active hands, rotating correctly, and so on. The more you can do all of these things; the more your stock will rise.  

Physical Abilities

A big part of what a coach ask themselves about a player they are recruiting is, "are they able to play at this level physically?" A college coach must know that you are strong enough, fast enough, etc., to play at the next level. This means that you need to be spending time in the weight room working on these different areas. It may even be spending time at home doing bodyweight exercises, doing agility drills, or whatever. It is vital that you are physically developing your body for the level you are trying to play at. 

Can You Execute on Offense?

Coaches can recognize the players that are executing, compared to the players that are always lost and out of place. If you want to add value to your game, show that you can execute an offense. Show that you understand what is going on, help teammates get set, and then be able to read the defense. If you can do these things, college coaches will have confidence that you will be able to run their system if they offer you. 

How Well Do You Play Off of the Ball?

As a basketball trainer in Tampa, Florida, one of the biggest areas that I work on with my players is off the ball development. Too many players want to dominate the ball. What ends up happening (especially in college), though, is the defense starts to catch on, and the offense becomes stagnant. College coaches want players that can score within the system and can create opportunities off of the ball. So focus on cutting hard, setting great screens, spacing the floor correctly, and so on. Don't be a ball stopper or a magnet to the ball. 

Conclusion

One of the best things about the game of basketball is that there are so many different components to the game. There are games inside of the game and skills that can always be better developed and improved on.


When you limit your thinking to "I have to score," you lose so much of this. You also limit your abilities as a player. So regardless of college coaches better noticing you, if you want to be a better player, you should be taking advantage of all ten of these keys. 


That being said, though, if you take advantage of these keys, you are drastically going to increase your chances of getting noticed. It is up to you, though, to put in the work. Here are the answers to the test, now study them and perfect them. 

 
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