COVID has prevented me from playing aau. What can i do to try and get recruited?
What an absolute mess COVID-19 has made of the world... Without trying to be ignorant to the significant lives lost and grander issues caused by this pandemic, I’m here to discuss basketball and what you can do to try to get a college opportunity despite no AAU Basketball. Frustratingly, we’re unable to go on tours again, which makes three years in a row. Here we’ve tried to break down some of your options and what you can do to appeal to US College coaches, scouts and recruiters.
There are three big-ticket items you need to handle:
Knowing what Division you are aiming for
Collecting required information, completing testing and submitting applications
Self-promotion
Knowing Your Division
First things first is understanding what level you are prospected to be playing. To try to figure this out you could: ask your coach, ask someone you’ve played with who has gone over before or think about how you compare to them. Remember that the level is significantly higher in the states and you need to be prepared for a reality check.
Understanding this is vital to collecting the relevant information, ticking the right boxes and preparing yourself for the next stage. Read more about:
Collecting Information & Applications
Once you’ve got an understanding of the level you want to play, now you can start to ensure you meet all the requirements to play. The three bodies of college sport, NCAA, NAIA & NJCAA, will each detail the hurdles you need to jump through to qualify for their association.
Do you need to complete the SAT or ACT? Check dates and learn more about tests.
Given things are getting more last minute for graduated players, or Year 12 players who are only just realising they haven’t ticked the boxes they needed to, should consider playing Junior College (JUCO). Read more about why.
Self-Promotion
So you’ve got your affairs in order, you understand where you are targetting, you’re sure you tick all the boxes, now it’s time to start pushing and hustling. Without playing AAU in America, against Americans, in front of American college coaches, you’re going to have to work much harder to convince them to take a risk on you. Your job is to try to remove as much doubt as possible and make them believe you are a player they need and will prove to be a valuable asset. Here there are three big steps again.
Make a highlight video. Check out our page for full details on how you can create a standout tape.
Create your Twitter profile and start promoting yourself. Read more here.
Start emailing coaches from the schools you are targetting. How to communicate with coaches?
Whilst the situation we are all in is not ideal, all hope is lost. We run our tours because we believe playing AAU in the states is the most effective way to earn a scholarship as an Aussie player.
While it’s not possible to play AAU with us this year, you can still have a crack to make your college dreams come alive. Be sure to realise that it is going to be difficult and take a lot of time and effort. You will likely be rejected or blanked numerous times, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Don’t regret not trying. Hustle hard and you’ll be rewarded.
All the best.
