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Basketball Tips: How to Get a Basketball Scholarship

By Jeff Haefner

Every year, thousands of high school and junior college basketball players compete to get one of the few basketball scholarships that are awarded each year. Here are some basketball tips on how to increase your chances of being selected to receive one of those coveted positions.

Talent and Ability

First and foremost, you have to maximize your basketball skill. Every day you are not getting better, someone else is getting better than you. You have to work and work to become the best player you can be. Work on your skills, be in condition and get stronger.

The jump from high school to college is a big jump. Players are bigger, stronger and more experienced. The game is longer, faster and more physical than anything you have experienced so far in your career. Don’t fall into the trap that you are doing enough to get yourself ready. Without exception, when new college players report for their first workouts they are surprised at how different it is compared to high school. Work to be ready.

The Value of Summer Basketball

Basketball recruiting has changed drastically over the last 15 years. Rules that colleges have to abide by have become more restrictive. The pressure to get commitments from players has resulted in players deciding earlier and earlier on what schools they are going to attend. It is no longer sufficient to be a good player with your high school team. Your senior year in college has almost become irrelevant! Colleges need to identify prospects earlier and earlier in their career. Coaches now go to places where they can identify and evaluate multiple prospects at one time. The places for that have become AAU tournaments and high profile “recruiting summer camps.”

AAU (or Amateur Athletic Union) is an organization that sponsors amateur sporting events. In basketball, they sponsor spring, summer and fall tournaments in multiple age groups. The age brackets are usually 19 & under, 17 & under, 15 & under, etc. The advantage of that system is that you can play up a bracket to get in better competition (a 15 year old can play in a 17 & U tournament but a 17 year cannot play in a 15 & U tournament). The tournaments are usually played during “live” college recruiting periods so college recruiters heavily attend them. If you can find an AAU basketball team in your area and it is an appropriate age bracket it would be well worth your effort to join the program.

High profile “recruiting camps” are camps that are held during the summer that attract high-level players, which in turn, attract college recruiters. Most of these are private camps, not camps owned by universities, colleges or high schools. They usually offer excellent instruction and very competitive games. Call a couple of colleges and find out what camps they attend to evaluate prospects and make plans to attend.

Summer basketball has become the most significant aspect of recruiting. At no other time can a college coach go to one spot and evaluate 300-400 players at one time. If you want to get one of those scholarships, you have to be where the coaches are.

Be Pro-Active

Don’t wait for a college to find you, go find them. If there are schools that you are interested in, contact them early, and let them know of your interest. Visit the campus, invite the coach to come and see you play. Have your high school coach contact the schools you are interested in. Be sure they have the information they need to evaluate you. Things like game schedules, summer schedules, etc. should be sent to all schools you are interested in. Return all questionnaires and comply with all the requirements that they have for acceptance to school.

Take Care of Your Schoolwork

Believe it or not, college coaches want athletes with good grades! Players in college are “student-athletes.” They attend class, write papers, and do research. Coaches really don’t like to take chances on academic risks. Get good grades; take your standardized tests (SATs, ACTs) as early and as often as possible. Unless you are truly a great player, coaches will not wait for you.

To get a scholarship, you have to register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. This is the organization that will evaluate your grades to determine whether or not you are eligible to play. Even if you are in junior college, they will go back to your high school grades to determine your eligibility (there are different rules for “qualifiers” and “non-qualifiers” coming out of high school and junior college). Take care of your registration as early as possible.

There used to be a saying, “if you can play, they will find you.” That is NOT true any more!! Being able to play is not enough, now. You have to be out where the coaches can find you.

For more basketball players tips, check out our free ebooks and resources on this site…

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/toptips.html
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/basketballfundamentals.html

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Player Tips | May 16, 2008 8:47 am

54 Comments

  1. ariel rabe — July 3, 2008 @ 12:20 am

    Thanks a lot for the this one.

  2. MERCY CHIKA OGBOKE — September 6, 2008 @ 2:45 pm

    I WILL LOVE TO PLAY FOR CHINA AND CHINA ALON

  3. Keyann — October 3, 2008 @ 5:25 pm

    how do you register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse?

  4. Jeff Haefner — October 6, 2008 @ 8:28 am

    Keyann,

    Check out:
    https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/

    You have to have original transcripts from all the schools you have attended and they must be sent directly from the school.

  5. Peter Godwin — October 21, 2008 @ 12:24 pm

    How Do I Get A Scholarship To US As A Basketballer in Nigeria

  6. corey — October 22, 2008 @ 10:09 am

    how do you register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse?

  7. Jeff Haefner — October 22, 2008 @ 1:22 pm

    Cory,

    To register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse, visit this site:
    https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/

    You need to have original transcripts from all the schools you have attended and they must be sent directly from the school.

  8. Don Kelbick — October 25, 2008 @ 12:54 pm

    Peter

    It is difficult to get recruited to the US from a foreign country. However, if possible, these are the steps you have to take.

    First and foremost, you have to get yourself in a position where US coaches can see you. Whether that be on a national team playing in international competitions or coming over and playing in the US as a high school or Jr. College player. You could come as an exchange student or attend a residential student at a prep school, if you are of the high school age. At a junior college, you can enroll as a foreign student.

    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.

    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 over to Nigeria to see you play. If they do come, they need some type of indication of how good the competition is.

    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 able 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.

  9. jarvis — November 4, 2008 @ 4:23 pm

    I played high school ball 3 yrs of varsity and I was the starting point guard. But that was in cleveland now I live in las vegas nevada and I’m just filling out apps for college and trying to be a walk on. I would play division 1,2,3,and 4 just so I can show this talent off. because I don’t won’t it to go to waste!!!!

  10. Trevor — November 29, 2008 @ 12:24 am

    i played for Speical Olympus for a couple of times and i now play at
    college for Speical Olypus but all i want is the Scholarship for
    basketball because i am really good

  11. louis — January 15, 2009 @ 6:54 am

    tanks for the tip so how do i register.or can i get an address of a place in london ,nigeria.this is was i love doin.this is ma life.4 yrs iv been lookin .but dey say im good but a small boy.some say im just dere but i want 2 show d whole world

  12. Kevin — January 19, 2009 @ 12:38 am

    i really want a college scholarship- i hav a scholarship for my high school
    but i live in australia
    how do i get one??? bcoz i think i hav a chance
    only a few people from australia made it to nba
    how is it possible to do that and other countries? can u plz explain
    thank you
    the siteis awesome

  13. Laura masini — February 9, 2009 @ 10:24 pm

    How do you find High profile “recruiting camps. I live in the Sacramento
    California. I need to find one of these camps before summer starts.

  14. nurudeen mohammed — February 25, 2009 @ 8:43 am

    basketball is my second religion,i really love the game and i will like to
    play in united state of american.

  15. JARREN — March 5, 2009 @ 11:21 am

    HEY, MY NAME IS JARREN.T.ABRON, AND I REALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIPS.
    I REALLY LOVE THE SPORT OF BASKETBALL AND I’M REALLY TRYING TO GET TO THE
    NBA. AND THAT REALLY HELPED ME OUT.

  16. OBINNA AZUBUIKE — May 9, 2009 @ 9:46 am

    I JUST WANT TO PLAY IN THE NBA AND SHOW MY BEST PART OF LIFE

  17. Advice To Foreign Basketball Players Seeking College Scholarships in the U.S. — May 14, 2009 @ 3:01 pm

    [...] These tips came from a comment Don left on this blog page about Getting a Basketball Scholarship. [...]

  18. Christian B. dela Cruz O.D. — May 15, 2009 @ 12:41 am

    Thanks Breakthroughbasketball! I have learned a lot! More power. To the advancement of Basketball. Break a leg!

  19. lemah — May 15, 2009 @ 3:43 am

    thanx guys now i know wea ive gotta specialize in.

  20. Mohamed — May 27, 2009 @ 9:31 pm

    How do i get a Scholarship for basketball if I live in Canada?
    I’ve been on the junior team this year and i averaged around 18 PPG(Points per game) 6 APG(Points per game) 4 RPG(Points per game).

  21. Ekam Dhaliwal — May 30, 2009 @ 6:52 pm

    i live in Surrey, BC and
    is it possible for me to get a scholarship for an american university

  22. Lamin Njie — June 3, 2009 @ 10:11 am

    I live in The Gambia West Africa. I’m a high school student(basketball player 15yrs of age 6”1′ tall) please help me how do i get assistant to player basketball in the USA because basketball is give little attention in my country.

  23. Lamin Njie — June 3, 2009 @ 10:28 am

    My Email laminsnnjie@yahoo.co.uk

  24. Tips and Resources to Help High School Students Get an Athletic Scholarship — June 18, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

    [...] Breakthrough Basketball Blog: This blog has some great tips on how to get a basketball scholarship and gives information on summer basketball. [...]

  25. The Run Down on Athletic Scholarships and Tips to Receiving One | Credit Guy — June 18, 2009 @ 1:27 pm

    [...] Breakthrough Basketball Blog: This blog has some great tips on how to get a basketball scholarship and gives information on summer basketball. [...]

  26. Sherman — July 14, 2009 @ 4:14 pm

    How do i contact the schools im interested in?

  27. Coach Mike Saylor — July 19, 2009 @ 8:35 am

    I have a senior to be player who is getting under-recruited. He is the best 3 point shooter in the state of Indiana. His name is John Michael Jarvis.

    Contact Coach Mike Saylor
    812-208-3671

  28. Moe Harrison — July 22, 2009 @ 6:46 pm

    i love the sport of basketball i wake up on early saturday mornings to get my jumpshot going. b-ball is like my second nature and i dont want my talent to go to waste. and to look back and say i couldve done. that i live in canada im in the 11 grade i averaged 21ppg, 3ast,and 4reb i have skill i just need to talk to the right people to lead me to the path of success

  29. Rojae — July 29, 2009 @ 12:25 am

    What is the age limit for starting as a professional Basketball player?

  30. Jeff — July 29, 2009 @ 6:24 am

    The minimum age for the NBA is 19. The player must also be out of high school for at least one year.

  31. Emmanuel Shadrack Mbeyela — August 1, 2009 @ 5:40 am

    I trully have a dream of becoming a professional basketball player.I am a Tanzanian 6ft 5″.Please assist me on how I could make my dream come true.

  32. My name is Michael Anyang.i'm a sudanese and i live in Nairobi.My younger brother,Nicholas Anyang,i think is the tallest in east Africa(over 7ft)tall.he plays for Nakuru club and Menengai High School.please help my brother achieve his talent in USA.i don' — August 2, 2009 @ 1:48 pm

    Thanks for this chance.

  33. binarybasketball — August 2, 2009 @ 3:38 pm

    You say that you can’t just expect talent scouts to find you but even 15 & U is getting crazy. Kids are being recruited and watched as early as middle school now…

  34. joseph victor junior — August 3, 2009 @ 1:04 pm

    i will like to attend high school in us and play basketball

  35. Aurther Benton — August 16, 2009 @ 1:14 pm

    Any kid who is a great three point shooter should go and play for that coach mike saylor in Terre haute South high school because he lets his kids shoot more threes than any coach in the country. He has had like 4 guys hit 10 or more threes in a single game!

  36. edward beshara — August 21, 2009 @ 11:23 am

    MY DREAM IS TO BE A PLAYERS OF BASKETBALL IN AMEICA
    I AM 17 YEARS OLD . I AM 6.9FEET I LOVE BASKETBALL SHE IS MY LIFE ITS ALLL WHAT I DREAMS FOR IT AND I WANT TO MY DREAM BE REAL

  37. Ngwese Kevin — August 22, 2009 @ 8:42 am

    i am a 18 years old baketball player i am 1meter98 . i realy need ur help 4 a scholarship in one of a school in us.i have a great talent an iam ready to prouve it to u . thanks 4 understandin

  38. michael olumhekhor — August 29, 2009 @ 8:20 am

    really wanna know more about this so that i can also play bette in feature… thanks hope to hear from you…

  39. collins — September 3, 2009 @ 7:09 am

    i would like to play for nigeria

  40. Daniel Ogwuche — September 7, 2009 @ 4:11 am

    Want to improve on my shots,would really like to shoot better than John Micheal Jarvis…Coach, pls what’s the secret?

  41. Ann Wilson — September 16, 2009 @ 2:50 pm

    Im from the Bahamas. I have a 14 yrs old son thats a really great basketball player. Hes travelled with his coach for three years and now feels that he needs to go to a junior school in the U.S for him to compete with the best in his age group. I need some help finding a school for him to attend in January 2010. This is his dream and as his mother i need to find ways to assist him as best as i can. Can anyone help?

  42. methodmgaya — October 18, 2009 @ 5:08 am

    thanks for you supports in basketball game please would you help me to get a team i a’m a good player i want to became a member of any youth team thank hope you will help me.i a’m from TANZANIA anged 17yrs

  43. methodmgaya — October 18, 2009 @ 5:11 am

    i will be ready to receave any conditions given by the team so please can you help me to have schoolership playing basket

  44. michael manvery — October 18, 2009 @ 5:19 am

    youg man standing thats method mgaya please help him to have shoolership he is good the same to ASHIM MANKA the new NBA member,the same country from method thats TANZANIA.help metho because he is good in bascketball it michael from GHANA

  45. paul — October 21, 2009 @ 5:27 am

    i am 17 and am 6 foot 7inches and from nigeria,i am seeking to play in an aau team.

  46. tim — October 21, 2009 @ 10:50 am

    i am 7 foot 2 inches i get at least 16 rebounds,6 assists,35 points a game an i am a senior this year an i have a 3.8 GPA how would i get a hold of a coach some where like Duke or North Carolina to look at me

  47. okongo paul — October 23, 2009 @ 2:39 am

    Am 22 years young man in the university in uganda who tries look for any possible ways of joining a college under basket scholarship.However i have the pottention and experience which i explioted in hiyh school and my second division club.

  48. keith paul — October 27, 2009 @ 4:22 pm

    am 20 years old and am from the virgin island, it don’t have any scout there thats y am not in college playin ball i will like to get an opportunity to get a coach to watch my game and see how that turn out, i will really appreciate it

  49. caneatra — October 28, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

    I have a friend that is a good ball player and is looking to get overseas by any means what would you say would be the best step to take first? Thank you.

  50. Thaddeau Engaling II — November 5, 2009 @ 9:19 pm

    Hi I,m Thadz from Cebu, Philippines. I do some scouting and referrals of potential recruits to my alma mater, University of San Carlos basketball team. We are on the lookout for players who want to go on a scholarship in the Philippines. centers who are 6′5″ or taller(preferably 6′7″ and taller) are a perennial need. email me at thaddeauii@yahoo.com if you are interested

  51. peter tallis — November 10, 2009 @ 6:46 am

    i am a good basketball player but noone seems to look at me they seem to look over me and no matter what i do i carnt get noticed and i live in melbouren australia

  52. Thadz — November 10, 2009 @ 8:15 pm

    @Peter Tallis. How tall are you and what is your age?

  53. Abbah — November 11, 2009 @ 4:34 am

    I am good basket ball player please tell me how to get basketball scholarship i am from Nigeria

  54. joseph alem butias — November 19, 2009 @ 7:07 am

    everbody want to play basketball,and if you are not able to be the best, you have to work hard .if kobe is able to make it in life with basketball i can also make it with basketball.i just want somebody to help me.thank you alllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

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