Editor’s note: Originally published May 2015. Lightly edited for clarity; the season-cycle advice is timeless.
The months of May and June are EXTREMELY important for a high school basketball player looking to make a name regionally, nationally, or ADD to his/her resume amongst scouts and college coaches nationwide. I tweeted years ago that “The JUMP you make from April to July can shape your entire future!” and I still believe that.
After talking with many D1/D2 coaches over the years, the stakes are only getting higher. The LIVE periods where Division 1 coaches (and all other levels: D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO) can watch you play are limited, while the amount of camps and AAU tournaments during those windows is massive. Coaching staffs are spread thin around the country and cannot be everywhere. There are also multiple divisions and brackets at these events, so it is hard to be showcased in the TOP bracket where D1/D2 coaches usually flock.
At the end of the day, windows of opportunity can be large, non-existent, or somewhere in between. It is up to YOU to realize what window you have and prepare accordingly.
The 2 months between April and July LIVE periods have to be a time for self reflection, self discipline, and sweat. First, make sure your GRADES are closing out strong in the classroom and you are staying on track for that 3.0 or higher for the year. As I have written many times, grades are usually the #1 or #2 thing a coach asks me about when recruiting a player. If you SLACK in the classroom you can eliminate 50%-100% of your college options depending on your talent level. This is NOT a joke.
Self reflection is about swallowing your pride, being honest with yourself, and realizing what you have to work on before July. Ask your coach, trainer, or a college coach interested in you what you need to improve to be more marketable. Not everyone has your best interest at heart or even knows the game well, so ask someone you TRUST for real constructive criticism.
Self discipline is about spending quality time in the gym. Work on your weaknesses, hone your skills, and go game speed. You spend high school season and much of AAU in a TEAM setting. May and June are crucial for your individual growth.
Do whatever it takes to improve YOUR game:
- Watch film from your spring games and find things to work on.
- Go to random gyms and play against people that can ball, but do not know you.
- Get in the weight room to add strength and eat properly. You cannot go into the GRIND of July on a 2-month diet of Doritos, Coke, and fast-food.
- Get help from someone you trust and who truly knows the game. There are many frauds and liars in the basketball world.
- Get honest feedback on what areas you need to improve and ATTACK those weaknesses.
- Put up thousands of shots a week. Make sure you are working game speed and situational shooting.
- Get up early and go to bed at a reasonable time. It is 2 months of your life that could change your future.
- Take advantage of AAU practices and high school workouts. Go out looking to dominate every chance you get.
- Make more time for “ME” and less time for “THEM.” TRUE friends will understand your commitment and sacrifice for YOUR goals.
SWEAT!! Get your butt in the gym and get in shape. If you walk into your first NCAA certified tournament in July out of shape, YOU are the only one to blame. Seeing players out of shape in July makes me sick. How do you think college coaches feel? They spot that laziness in seconds.
I truly want kids in Nebraska and beyond to accomplish their basketball goals. I only speak the truth and cannot stress enough how hard a D1 scholarship (or D2/NAIA/JUCO scholarship) is to come by. I know everyone wants, or thinks, they will play college basketball, but the numbers DO NOT LIE.
Statistics show that only 1%-3% of kids in the entire country will get a D1 scholarship each year. Reality is a tough pill to swallow, but the sooner you realize HOW HARD THIS PATH truly is, the sooner you stop taking time for granted and start increasing your percentages.
THE 2 MONTH CLOCK HAS STARTED!! GET SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR FUTURE!!