Advice To Foreign Basketball Players Seeking College Scholarships in the U.S.
By Don Kelbick
We receive SO MANY questions from foreign players on how to play college and pro basketball in the U.S. So we decided to compile an article with advice for foreign players.
Here is an email Don sent to a foreign player seeking advice:
In a choice between education for the future and playing basketball, there is no choice. No matter where you are or who you are, basketball is only a short term situation and your future (education) is forever. If you are making a choice, secure your future. That does not mean you have to stop playing basketball. You might have to look for games, but they are around. Use the frustration you feel and develop something for the people who come after you so they do not have to go through the same things that you have to endure.
In regard to your obtaining a basketball scholarship, you have to remember that the players you are watching are among the best in the world. Of those players only a few (maybe 20) will play professionally in the NBA. The odds of making it are staggering. For someone in your situation, the odds are even longer. Not growing up in a situation where you play in the best competition will certainly limit you chances. What you see on TV is only the top college level. There are many college levels here, NCAA Div. I, Div II, Div III, NAIA (which has 2 divisions) and Junior College (which has 3 divisions). In most cases, if you are not identified as a prospect by your Sophomore year in high school, your chances of playing Div. I are slim. The lower levels work on a longer time line. You have to get yourself in a situation where you can be seen.
My best advice is for you to decide if and where you want to go to school in the U.S. and where. Once you make that decision, contact the coach about the possibility of playing on the team as a “walk-on.” He can tell you the requirements and how to try out. It will be very hard at the highest levels, a little less difficult as you go down in levels. You might be able to earn a scholarship that way. Not all schools give scholarships and at some levels, like NCAA Div. III, athletic scholarships are not allowed. The odds of earning a scholarship this way are slim but it may be better than the situation you are in now.
In addition, if you are on a professional team, that might eliminate your eligibility completely. Even if you don’t get paid, if you play on a professional team that negates your amateur status, you will not be able to play in college.
I am sorry I cannot be more positive for you, but that is the way of the world. Give it a shot and see what happens. However, your passion, if channeled properly, bodes well for people who come after you. Work for the betterment of the sport. Start some camps in your town, teach others, network with people who can make decisions in your favor. You are in a situation where you have to suffer because of decisions that where made by people who came before you. Great change starts with one person making one step.
Are you up to it?
Additional Tips For Foreign Basketball Players Seeking College Scholarships:
These tips came from a comment Don left on this blog page about Getting a Basketball Scholarship.
First and foremost, you have to get yourself in a position where US coaches can see you.
- Join a national team.
It is easier to gain recognition if you are playing with your national team.
- Become an exchange student or residential student.
To play in the US as a high school player, you could come over as an exchange student or attend as a residential student at a prep school if you are of the high school age.
- Enroll at a junior college.
At a junior college, you can enroll as a foreign student.
- Attend summer camps.
If you are not able to come over for school, you might want to look into coming over for the summer and attending some high profile recruiting camps, such as Eastern Invitational or 5-Star. Through them, you might be able to catch on with an AAU team that plays in high level tournaments during the summer.
- Send over game film.
Next, you would need as much game film as you can get. Not highlight or demonstration film, but actual game film in regular, organized and scheduled competition. This is very important because not too many schools are going to come to your country to see you play. If they do come, they need some type of indication of how good the competition is.
- Make sure your grades are good.
Just as important, if not more so, you need to make sure your grades are in order. Teams will not do anything unless you are registered for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/. That is the organization that determines whether you are academically eligible to play. This is especially important for you. Several countries in Africa, Nigeria included, are on a “watch list.” This is due to a large number of fraudulent transcripts that come in from those countries. It will take a while for you to get cleared.
If anybody has some helpful comments for players outside the U.S. seeking college scholarships, please leave comments below.
____________________________________________________________________
Related Articles
Basketball Tips: How to Get a Basketball Scholarship
Developing A Basketball Workout For High School & College Tryouts
47 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Pablo Garay — May 14, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
This is such a very useful article! Thanks for making us better and worry about foreign players too!
James Drexler — May 21, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
One of the best books on being a journeyman basketball player is probably “Can I Keep My Jersey” by Paul Shirley. It has a lot of great information on what to expect if you want to play basketball for a living WITHOUT getting into the NBA.
Raphael Solomon — August 27, 2009 @ 7:49 am
Thank you very much Dan. Your article was indeed a nice and sensible. May God bless and care for you too, just as you care for the foreign players. Am a nigerian of 15years old. My problem is that am searching for a highschool in the unite state so that, i can study and as well play a highschool basketball. My age is within that of a highschool and i don’t this time to pass me by. I will be very happy if you can help me with a school and an invitation letter so i can come around and study. My grades are really good. If you can do this for me,i will be forever gratefull to you for help me achieve my dreams of study,playing and been a good ambassador of the united state. Please sir, reply me through my above email address or with this phone number +2347066520370 so i can tell you more about myself,my dreams etc. Am from a poor family with great dream. I will be looking forward for your help. Shalom.
CARLOS ALAMILLA — August 27, 2009 @ 11:47 am
This is a great article by Don Kelbick. Don and I have traveled to Colombia to give JR.NBA BASKETBALL CLINICS and this is a major topic of interest on many players, but lack the knowhow of the process and educatinal institutions. LIFE IS MORE THAN BASKETBALL, EDUCATION IS WHERE IS AT! YOU CARRY YOUR DEGREE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
CARLOS ALAMILLA
DIRECTOR/COACH
MIAMI ALL STARS
michael olumhekhor — September 8, 2009 @ 8:18 am
good day, simply here to know more about CARLOS ALAMILLA . please tell want to do to increase in the game of basketball,,i really wanna school in chicago so that i can have more traning in basketball in chicago..let me know if i have schorlanship over there..really hope to hear from you.. thanks..
michael
michael olumhekhor — September 8, 2009 @ 8:18 am
CARLOS ALAMILLA
John McCrimmon — November 17, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
Hello to all. My name is John McCrimmon and I am the director of what will the best academic and sports training academie in the world. 2010-11 school year will be our first year
I am looking for middle school basketball players both domestically and internationally to come and attend school and train, get early exposure, learn the game,you want to be here. Some of the highest ranked U.S. middle school players will be attending. We want international players as well.
Please contact me by email at adstreams@bellsouth.net for more information on this one of a kind oppertunity.
RASHEED — November 26, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
HELLO, AM RASHEED AND I JUST NEED TO SHOW WHAT I VE GOT…….I LIVE IN NIGERIA WHERE THERE IS HOPE PLAYING PRO….
victor — February 1, 2010 @ 10:30 am
thank you for the advice its straight foward and truthfull but a bit negative,i believe big dreams can come true if it was ment to happen so please can you help us basketball players especially from Africa who lack opportunities by showing us sites we can apply for trials in any pro good league whether its a major or minor league in usa or europe or sites to apply for a basketball schorlaship because i`m not only very talented in basketball but i have good grades,help us in trying to live our dreams if won`t happen then atleast we tried our best.give us encouraging news please
CARLOS GERRADO — February 7, 2010 @ 10:03 am
IAM CARLOS GERRADO A SPANISH BASED IN UK,i am a basketball scout and i am searching for talented basketball players you can send me email to come for our college trial…
Larry Bagley — February 26, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
I am a high school basketball coach that is looking for capable foreign boys basketball players. If interested, please contact me at coachchs49@yahoo.com. I coach in a large public school in a metropolitan area of Louisiana. I will give you more information if you are interested. Look forward to hearing from you.
Bala — June 25, 2010 @ 11:49 am
Bala is my name, from Kumasi-Ghana. I am a Basketball Athletes currently enrolled in SUCCESS CITY ACADEMY High School and played for Kumasi SLIZZERS Basketball Team. I play as Point Guard. I am 6ft 3inches tall and it’s always in my mind to be among a winning team. I love to score in a game and playing defense against my opponents. I also like extra training after I finish with my Coach and teammates. I have a dream of playing in High School and College in United States and then someday pursue to the highest level if I get the nod.
george whittaker — July 16, 2010 @ 8:47 am
I coach high school basketball in the state of Ohio. I am looking for players that have some size and maybe play for their countries national jr team. I coached in Finland for three years at the highest level and also coached in the CBA AND D 1 college. I can help you get a chance to play in college. Contact me at eljubbo@comcast.net and give me your infromation. Must not turn 19 before Aug. 30
David orwako — July 22, 2010 @ 3:21 am
I just want know if there are any coaches in the us or uk who are interested in foreign players who want to pursue a second university degree either in UK or the USA. I am a good basketball player who values disciplene,teamwork and defence playing as apoint guard in Kenya. Kindly reply through dondeyo2000@yahoo.co.uk
John McCrimmon — August 1, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
Hey Bala i might have a Private high school scholarship for you. Contact Coach John by email at adstreams@bellsouth.net
michael — August 12, 2010 @ 6:09 am
CARLOS GERRADO. how may i get high school scholarship, if there is any lik you can put me through, i will be waiting to hear from you …thanks..
michael
mouaha adrien — September 3, 2010 @ 5:57 am
i am the best cameroonian point guard,i even took part in the last Nike camp.I am 14 years old and i do work hard i am in grade 9 and i need a high school scholarship to play professional basketball please help me and contact me at 23797023710
Georege Appiah — September 3, 2010 @ 6:36 am
i am a very determined point guard player which makes me stand out very different from all other guards…winning is my priority.i play a team here in Ghana-Accra called “The Knights” and i have been playing matches and leagues here…i have earned certificates and many more…i am also in the university here which is called Catholic university in Accra-west Africa….i love basketball so much that i really want to be the next Chris Paul for the united states team…..with my stamina,i can play the whole day..and with my shots..i can say i shoot 80% great and not to forget my good passes and lay ups…i assists,i can rebound sometimes..and as well as dribble perfectly with out loosing the ball…i hope to hear from you soon…thank you so much… this is my number if you want to contact asap…: 233244883610 or 233545444407
Adetola Adedeji — October 1, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
Am Tola i live in Nigeria a studying in university of Abuja i love to play basketball for NBA and i know one day i will be there though the articule is quite sensible still yet i will be there.
richard — October 4, 2010 @ 5:07 am
am looking for a scholarship.Please help.
richard — October 4, 2010 @ 5:10 am
Am a basketball player and am 1m92cm and i am 19 years old.Am looking for a Scholarship to USA,EUROPE,Australia.Please contact me at kriche6000@yahoo.co.uk.
Thanks and i await your mails.
richard — October 4, 2010 @ 5:16 am
Please CARLOS GERRADO,can you contact me at kriche6000@yahoo.co.uk.Am interested in your deal.
Thanks.
Marcel Webster — November 20, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
Looking for female basketball players.We will have women’s basketball program in 2011-2012……We have degree programs in Religion,Bio-Energy and Business.Tuition is $5,000 per year.I am looking for height and skill…..contact me through email….
Marc Thormann — November 28, 2010 @ 5:09 am
I’m recently 18 years old and 176cm tall (Spain), point guard in Bàsquet Sant Boi on spains u21 1rst div. in Catalonia (Sots-21 Masc Preferent). I looking for a scholarship in the USA or something similar. My marks average is a 8.1 in spains system. Please contact me through email marc.thormann@yahoo.com…
Teddy oparaugo — November 28, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
Hi am teddy am new on here i just decided to drop some few words on here am a point guard playing for imo state here in nigerie am 18 years old an i also play for chariot basket ball club based in lagos nigeria i really need assistance on how toh make my basket balling better and i will also like to school and play basket ball over seas too thanks if i can get any help
Sami AbdulMutti Adam Elgalabi — December 20, 2010 @ 2:00 am
Hello My name is Sami And I am 19 years old,
I won Two dunk Contests when i was 16 and a 3 point contest, I play point guard , second guard, and shooting guard, currently i am in malaysia studing Information Technology In Putra International College but we dont even have a basketball court,
Please help me,i want to play in the states, i can bring my transcripts. so i can transfer colleges.
this is my phone number 0060122948658
or reply back to email Sami_Jordan05@hotmail.com
David — January 26, 2011 @ 5:40 am
I’m a 6′9 heigh’s for 17 years old, let me know if it’s could be very possible to get a true high school coach or college able to employ me in the basketball team as freshman as student-athlete,I play all positions, for the result of my work is with me, just feel free to write to me.. david.abdias@yahoo.fr
henry — January 28, 2011 @ 4:26 am
I’m 6′1 and 15 years old.I play basketball in Suriname(south-America)and I am a real good player,i’m always in the top 3 of scoring and I get good grades and I’m diciplined.I realy want to play Highschool basketball in America.How could I play highschool Basketball in Amerika.If any high school coach is interested in me he could email
me on:Stephan130495@hotmail.com
Jason B — January 31, 2011 @ 7:07 pm
I am a High School Coach in Albuquerque NM USA. We are always looking for kids who are interested in becoming exchange students for our basketball program. You must be experienced in basketball and possess next level measurables. We also take Mid School students. please contact me at coach_jb@comcast.net if you hold any interest.
Yana — March 23, 2011 @ 2:02 am
Hello
My name is Yana Svintsitskaya,I live in Moscow. I’m 16 years old, studying in 10th grade (high school sophomore). My height is 188 cm (6.16 feet), I have 1st adult degree. I
train in Timiryazevskaya sports school of Olympic reserve 71, played for Spartak club, participated in the championship of Moscow (2008), Sports Day
(2008). I was a candidate for the Russian national team, but due to a knee meniscus injury was not selected (I’ve fully recovered after the operation, so I
am an active athlete again). At the moment I also play for Dynamo Junior League and train for the Dynamo youth team.
I am passionate about playing basketball, and totally aspire to continue my basketball career and aducation in the United States.My Email lovesuperman@mail.ru
Waiting for your kind reply,
Yana
carroll williams — March 31, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
Starting to accept exchange students for Christian Academy in North Carolina for 2011-2012 season. You must have great basketball skills, and be at least six feet five inches tall. Age 16-17 before August 2012. Please contact me at williamsignatius@hotmail.com
Olorunnisola Gbemisola — May 16, 2011 @ 5:07 pm
wow this article is very intresting and very motivating…plsss my name is Olorunnisola Gbemisola am a student and i have this uncontrollable passion for the game of basketball and i wish to play in the nba one day with the help of all these grate coaches above here is my profile,,,, am an 18yr old boy, a small foward, and a shooting guard,,, 6ft2, a very good 3pt shooter and a pass distributor with an exellent defence… I hope to be like derrick rose 1day if am given the oppourtunity…plss here is my number 2348163599586 and my mail skb_gbemmy@yahoo.com thank u and God bless.
Malcolm Orgeron — May 23, 2011 @ 8:05 pm
I am the Athletic Director and head coach of the basketball team at Breaux Bridge Christian Academy in Breaux Bridge Louisiana and we are looking for some foreign exchange students that play basketball. Please contact me at CoachOrgeron@aol.com.
Maggie — June 14, 2011 @ 2:12 pm
My name is Maggie and I am in Santa Monica, CA for holidays from Melbourne, Australia. I played basketball everyday from the age of 13-18, and I regret not attending a university which accommodated a basketball program. I am now 21 years old, and I will drop everything in Australia right this second if I were to get a scholarship to play college basketball in America.
Location shouldn’t matter too much. I am 6′1, and have the ability to play both inside and out. I am noted for my commitment, team work and consistent jump shot. I currently study Visual Arts and Design in my 2nd year, and my grades are also in the credit - distinction range (70-75%). My email is blaque_dress@hotmail.com - let me know if there is anything out there!
Malcolm Orgeron — June 23, 2011 @ 10:07 am
I am the Athletic Director and head coach of the basketball team at Breaux Bridge Christian Academy in Breaux Bridge Louisiana. We were state champs and National Christian Champs this past year. We are looking for some foreign exchange students that play basketball. Please contact me at CoachOrgeron@aol.com.
SIMON K — July 19, 2011 @ 3:49 am
Iam a uganda playing in the national league, am through with my university studies and would like to enter the college basketball trials,am a shooter and i also point in ,my current team.
Gbemisola — July 20, 2011 @ 2:34 pm
mr malcolm plzz am very much intrestead in ur deal sir plzzzz i tried to snd u a msg buh dint go tru..here is my mail box sir and lemme give u my full details…skb_gbemmy@yahoo.com plsss wuld be xpectin u sir….
EBUKA PAUL4NBA — July 23, 2011 @ 2:26 am
I love basketball
Obusitswe Nkgodi — July 26, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
Iam OB in Botswana, n im a staunch follower of NBA, 1.9 M IN HEIGHT and really need a scholarship in U.S, currently im working in Botswana Police Service n representing The Flames Basketball Club which is playing in the National League. So help me out n thank you in anticipation. Please my details are: Obusitswenkgodi@yahoo.com/ +267 72531011.
Jordan Walker — October 12, 2011 @ 4:58 pm
I am a british basketball player who will be entering sixth form in a year and will be looking to come over and play ball in an american high school or college.
im a sg and play for portsmouth currently.for more info please reply to this message
a. emmanuel — November 7, 2011 @ 4:16 am
hi, i’m emmanuel and i am 16 years of age and i just finished high school[secondary school] in nigeria….i have always had a great passion for basketball…..im currently looking for a scholarship to play basketball in any part of the world…i am a point guard and really good at three points shootout….pls i am interested in any scholarship available for me….email me at asuaiemmanuel@gmail.com and call me at +2348134359012..thanx
a. emmanuel — November 7, 2011 @ 4:20 am
hi, i’m emmanuel and i am 16 years of age and i just finished high school[secondary school] in nigeria….i have always had a great passion for basketball…..im currently looking for a scholarship to play basketball in any part of the world…i am a point guard and really good at three points shootout….pls i am interested in any scholarship available for me….email me at asuaiemmanuel@gmail.com and call me at +2348134359012..thanx…
TW — November 9, 2011 @ 9:56 pm
Prepsearch is a free service designed to help international, juco and high school basketball players get more exposure to college basketball coaches. Submit your profile at http://www.prepsearch.net. We can help supplement any recruiting you’re getting for free.
Yoppi France Giay — January 19, 2012 @ 10:31 pm
hi I’m Yopi, I’m from Papua, Indonesia is still in the area, I hope to be able to scholarship school from one of the universities in the U.S., continuing to play basketball talent I have. I am 22 years old, my height 1. 90 m.. I play in a professional club SATYAWACANA ANGSAPURA Indonesia, because it is still in the shade of Papua Indonesia. I used to play in position, shoting guard & Point guard .. Thank you .. I really hope to achieve my dream of playing professional basketball level in the USA, God Bless You all.
Gary gill — February 1, 2012 @ 9:40 am
Hi i m 6.8 tall and 96 born basketball plyer.i ply in india s national team,i want study and ply basketball in usa plz help me my email g.gill0001@yahoo.com
Habib — February 2, 2012 @ 3:36 am
Hi i am Habib usman.i played street basketball with my falz.pls help me i really want to play in u.s pro basketball.i live in kaduna central here in Nigeria.help me with a scholarship pls.
Moses — February 5, 2012 @ 4:58 pm
I am Moses a talented young guy getting ready to write history in the NBA, I’m already in a university but i wouldn’t mind a scholarship in USA most preferably or another country where basketball is well promoted. thanks for this opportunity! jesudaradaniel@gmail.com