5 Keys to a Basketball Scholarship

Last week we put together a list of five keys that will help you to a football scholarship offer. But since I know football is not the only sport that athletes out there play, I thought I would do something forbasketball as well.

While the sports are similar in the chase for a scholarship, the one major difference is AAU. Football camps cannot compare to the fact that top basketball players spend a good portion of July on the road playing in tournaments. And in order to get a major Division I scholarship, I feel that they basically have to do this. Find out what is included in the top five now.

1.) Playing for an AAU team that travels nationally
Here is what Tennessee head basketball coach Bruce Pearl said recently about the basketball recruiting process: “If you’re in the AAU program and you’ve got a decent team, then the summertime is when you’ve got a chance go make a name for yourself. You can’t hunt bear in the lodge, so kids have got to go out there at these tournaments and give us a chance to evaluate them.” Playing on an AAU team that travels the country in tournaments is the #1 factor in getting a Division I basketball offer. I have seen numerous kids get scholarships simply because they played on a good AAU team. They had to play well at the right times but this certainly beats sitting at home working out with your teammates. With basketball, I cannot stress the importance of getting on the AAU circuit.

2.) Skill/Abilities
Unlike football, skills and abilities does trump size for college basketball. That is the reason why you will occasionally see a 5-foot-6 point guard or a 6-foot-6 center at the Division I level. They just have more abilities as well as a knack for playing beyond their size. The skill level of basketball players needs to be high and that is why there will be some smaller players on the court. It is because they have some abilities and know how to play the game.

3.) Size/Athleticism
College coaches will take chances with projects but they want players who can contribute early and often. Most of these coaches know that if they recruit the wrong players, it will likely cost them their job. That is why a project is much harder for a basketball coach to take versus a football coach. These basketball coaches are limited in the amount of scholarships that they have every year so they have to be careful. Taking too many projects that don’t pan out could easily get you fired.

4.) Work Ethic
There is no doubt that being a gym rat definitely can help you in the chase for a scholarship. But if you are not big enough, don’t play for a good AAU team, and lack the ability, it doesn’t matter if you workout twelve hours a day. God-given talent will trump work ethic at times in the chase for a scholarship. It sucks but it is true.

5.) Grades/Character
I hate to say that this is last on the list but it seems academics and character are even less important at the Division I level in hoops. Obviously you want the #1 player in the country to have fantastic grades and strong character (see Harrison Barnes) but it doesn’t always happen that way. The other areas are more important. However, having good grades and strong character can open the door for more opportunities if you find the right situation. Posted by admin | September 9, 2009

More Eligibility Stuff

If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will analyze your academic information and determine if you meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements.

If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you should start the certification process early, usually by the end of your junior year.

To be certified by the Clearinghouse, you must:

1. Graduate from high school.
   You should apply for certification before graduation. If you appear to meet NCAA requirements, the Clearinghouse will issue apreliminary certification report. After you graduate, the Clearinghouse will review your final transcript to make a final certification decision.
2. Take at least 14 core courses in the following areas*, earning at least a "C" or better:
   1. 4 years of English (3 years for Division II)
   2. 2 years of Mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
   3. 2 years of Social Science
   4. 2 years of Natural or Physical Science (including at least one laboratory class)
   5. 1 year of an additional course (English, Mathematics, or Natural or Physical Science - 2 yrs. for Division II)
   6. 3 years of extra core courses such as foreign language or any category above.
      
      *Beginning in 2008, Division I will require 3 years of math and 4 years of extra core courses for a total of 16 required core courses.
3. Earn a minimum combined score on the SAT I or the ACT with a minimum GPA in the 14 core courses. There are separate requirements for Division I and Division II schools.
   Division I requirements include an eligibility index that specifies the minimum GPA and test scores. This index is available in the Guidance Office and Career Center.
   Division II requires:
   

• Minimum 2.00 in the 14 core courses.
• Minumum of 68 (sum of scores on the 4 individual ACT subtests) or an 820 combined math and Critical Reading on the SAT.

REGISTER ONLINE!
Prospective student-athletes may register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse online. Simply go the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse web site by clicking here. By registering online, prospects will be able to view their eligibility information online and will not have to call the clearinghouse for eligibility updates. Online registration saves time and allows prospective student-athletes to view their eligibility status up to six weeks faster than through the paper registration process.

For additional information, see your high school Guidance Specialist or visit the NCAA website.

NCAA Eligibility

All prospective student-athletes must complete the amateurism certification questionnaire. If you are looking to enroll fall 2009, you will need to login and request final amateurism certification by signing the 10.1 statement now. (If you enrolled full time in a Division I or II institution prior to 2007, you do not need to complete the amateurism questions.) NOTE: Test scores must be reported directly from either ACT or SAT using code 9999.

New Eligibility Rules - Click here to read about the changes. Important ADHD Treatment Guidelines - click here. U.S. Students Register Here For students who have attended a U.S. high school for all academic years and for those who have or will graduate from a U.S. high school (including home school or an American school abroad). Note: The eligibility center will not perform a final certification until you have graduated from high school. For home school information, click here. International Students Register Here For students who are attending or have attended high school (secondary school) outside the U.S. (Students educated outside the U.S. normally can only have their certification status evaluated after their final academic records are completed and forwarded to the eligibility center. See the country specific requirements here and then scroll to "Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility.") Registered Student Login For students already registered with the eligibility center. Hot Topics Test score rule: Test scores must be reported to the eligibility center directly from ACT or SAT. High school core-course list: Is yours up to date? Verify the classes you are taking and/or scheduled to take appear on your high school's approved core-course list. Amateurism questionnaire and final authorization signature: Remember to log back in to your account and finalize your amateurism questionnaire before you enroll in college. If you are beginning school in the fall semester (August), you will need to complete the amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature on or after April 1 prior to enrollment. If you are beginning school in the spring semester (January), you will need to complete the amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment. What Do I Need To Do? Grade 9 Verify with your high school guidance counselor and the online core-course listing to make sure you are on track. Grade 10 Verify with your high school guidance counselor and the online core-course listing to make sure you are on track. Grade 11 Register with the eligibility center. Make sure you are still on course to meet core-course requirements (verify you have the correct number of core courses and that the core courses are on your high school's 48-H with the eligibility center). After your junior year, have your high school guidance counselor send a copy of your transcript. If you have attended any other high schools, make sure a transcript is sent to the eligibility center from each high school. When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999"). Begin your amateurism questionnaire. Grade 12 When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999"). Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester. (If you are expecting to enroll for spring semester, sign the final authorization signature on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment.) Have your high school guidance counselor send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the eligibility center. Home School Information Use high school code "969999" as the high school code for any home school coursework. This information is for those who have attended a home school or nontraditional school for either all or part of their high school career. In order to evaluate your certification status for purposes of NCAA athletics initial eligibility, please submit the following information to the Eligibility Center: Completed student release form. Fee payment. Standardized test score (ACT and/or SAT). Must be submitted directly from the testing agency. Note that test scores received on a transcript cannot be used by the Eligibility Center. A Student Score Report or scores taken directly from a Student Score Report cannot be accepted by the Eligibility Center for initial-eligibility purposes. Home school transcript that includes: Course titles; Course grades; Units of credit for courses; Grading scale ( if numeric grading is used, alpha/letter equivalent grades are needed); and Signature of the home school administrator (the parent or other person who organized, taught and evaluated the home school coursework). Transcript from any other high school, college and/or nontraditional program attended (mailed directly from the issuing institution). Proof of high school graduation, including specific graduation date (month/day/year). Evidence that home schooling was conducted in accordance with state laws (a written statement from the home school administrator verifying compliance with state home school legislation). Please attach any supporting documentation. A statement of who taught and evaluated the coursework, awarded grades and issued credit. List of textbooks used throughout home schooling [course title, textbook title, publisher name and book level (if applicable)]. There are some examples listed below for reference including a home school checklist, transcript example and textbook list. This will help provide guidance on what the Eligibility Center needs regarding home school information. If your home school coursework was taken through an established nontraditional program (e.g., correspondence, internet, tutoring, etc.) that evaluated your coursework and issues transcripts, please have that program provide a copy of your transcript and provide contact information so the Eligibility Center can obtain further information, if necessary. The Eligibility Center will evaluate home school coursework only after all required documents have been received. After the information listed above is received, the Eligibility Center may need to request additional information or clarification before completing an academic certification. HOME SCHOOL EVALUATION ADDRESS: NCAA Eligibility Center (ATTN: Home School Evaluation) 1802 Alonzo Watford Sr. Drive Indianapolis, IN 46202-6222 Phone: 877/ 262-1492 or 317/ 223-0700. Follow the prompts or request to be directed to the home school department. If you were home schooled in New York, please note that the Eligibility Center cannot accept "proof of graduation" from a diploma issued by a home school in New York, because the state of New York does not recognize diplomas that are issued by a home school. If a student is home schooled in New York and does not graduate from a high school, that student would have to provide a GED certificate in order to meet the NCAA's graduation requirement. NCAA