What's A Post Grad?
A gap year for a student athlete can mean different things depending on the circumstances. On one hand, it could be seen as an opportunity for the athlete to further develop their skills, physically & mentally, without the pressures of immediate competition. It allows time for focused training, working on weaknesses, & refining strengths.
Additionally, a gap year can provide the athlete with a chance to mature both on & off the court. They may gain valuable life experiences, build independence, & develop important life skills that will benefit them in their future athletic & academic endeavors.
Why You Not Getting Recruited:
With the evolving landscape of college basketball recruiting, several factors can hinder high school seniors from getting recruited:
Limited Exposure Opportunities: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the traditional recruiting calendar, leading to cancellations of tournaments, showcases, and live evaluation periods. This has restricted the opportunities for high school seniors to showcase their skills in front of college coaches, making it challenging for them to get noticed.
Increased Competition: The rise of grassroots basketball and the globalization of recruiting have made the competition for scholarships more intense. Colleges have access to a larger pool of talent, both domestically and internationally, which means high school seniors face stiffer competition for limited roster spots.
Early Commitments: Many college programs are offering scholarships to players earlier in their high school careers, sometimes as early as freshman or sophomore year. This trend has created a smaller pool of available scholarships for seniors and puts pressure on them to make an impression earlier in their high school careers.
Academic Eligibility Requirements: NCAA eligibility standards are stringent, and some high school seniors may struggle to meet academic requirements for Division I or Division II programs. This can limit their options for recruitment, as coaches may prioritize recruits who are academically qualified and less likely to encounter eligibility issues.
Roster Limitations: College basketball teams have limited roster spots available, and coaches must balance recruiting needs with scholarship availability. High school seniors may find it challenging to secure a spot on a college roster if coaches have already filled their recruiting classes with underclassmen or transfers.
Positional Needs: College coaches often recruit based on specific positional needs for their team. If a high school senior plays a position where the team already has depth or has recruited heavily in previous classes, it can be more difficult for them to find opportunities for recruitment.
Overall, the changing landscape of college basketball recruiting, combined with factors such as limited exposure opportunities, increased competition, and early commitments, can pose challenges for high school seniors seeking recruitment. It's essential for student-athletes to be proactive in their recruiting process, seek out opportunities to showcase their skills, and carefully research and target programs that align with their abilities and goals.
Understanding The Different Levels of Collegiate Sports:
In the United States, collegiate sports are organized into various levels of competition, each with its own governing body and set of regulations. The main levels of collegiate sports are:
1. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association):
- NCAA Division I: This level includes the largest and most competitive college athletic programs. Division I schools often have the most resources and offer the most scholarships for student-athletes.
- NCAA Division II: This level features smaller colleges and universities with a focus on a balance between athletics and academics. Division II schools offer athletic scholarships but to a lesser extent than Division I programs.
- NCAA Division III: Division III schools prioritize the overall college experience and do not offer athletic scholarships. Student-athletes compete for the love of the game and for the overall college experience.
2. NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics): The NAIA is another governing body for collegiate athletics, and it consists of smaller colleges and universities. NAIA schools often offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes.
3. NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association): The NJCAA oversees two-year colleges and provides competitive opportunities for student-athletes at the junior college level.
These are the main levels of collegiate sports in the United States, each with its own unique characteristics and focus.
In addition to the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, there are a few other collegiate athletic organizations and divisions in the United States, each with its own focus and structure. Some of these include:
1. USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association): The USCAA is a national organization for smaller colleges and universities across the United States. It provides athletic opportunities for student-athletes at the non-NCAA and non-NAIA levels.
2. NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association): The NCCAA is an association of Christian colleges and universities that compete in college sports.
3. CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association): The CCCAA oversees intercollegiate athletics in the state of California for community colleges.
4. NWAC (Northwest Athletic Conference): The NWAC is the governing body for community college athletics in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
These organizations and divisions cater to a wide range of colleges and universities, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at different levels of collegiate sports across the country.
Domestic Boarding or Commuting Student Athlete:
For unsigned seniors, prep school can be an attractive option for several reasons. Firstly, it offers another opportunity to showcase their skills and gain exposure to college coaches. Prep schools often have competitive basketball programs and participate in showcases and tournaments where scouts and recruiters may be present. This increased visibility can lead to college offers that may not have been available during their senior year of high school.
Secondly, prep school provides a chance to further develop as a player. Many prep programs have experienced coaches, top-notch facilities, and rigorous training regimens that can help athletes improve their game and increase their chances of earning college scholarships. Additionally, prep schools often have more flexibility in scheduling, allowing athletes to focus more intensely on basketball without the distractions of other high school responsibilities.
Furthermore, attending prep school can enhance an athlete's academic profile. Some prep schools offer advanced coursework, college preparatory classes, and academic support services to help students improve their grades and standardized test scores. This can make them more attractive to college recruiters and increase their chances of being admitted to their desired colleges. As you senior year has come to an end & your recruitment is slow or non existent, then utilizing your "GAP YEAR" could be just what you need. For a Domestic Student Athlete its a good opportunity to help give you a recruitment makeover, teach you what real work is, & give you a solid foundation to start marketing yourself to college coaches.
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International Student Athlete With Aspirations of Going To College in America:
For international student-athletes, considering a post-grad opportunity in the United States offers several enticing benefits. Firstly, it provides exposure to the highly competitive American collegiate sports system, which is renowned for its high level of competition and opportunities for athletic development. By attending a post-grad program in the U.S., international athletes can immerse themselves in this environment, compete against top-level talent, and showcase their skills to college coaches, increasing their chances of securing scholarships to play collegiate sports.
Secondly, post-grad opportunities in the U.S. offer access to world-class coaching, training facilities, and resources that may not be available in their home countries. These programs often have experienced coaches who specialize in developing athletes for college-level competition, providing personalized training plans, and offering guidance on the college recruiting process.
Additionally, attending a post-grad program in the U.S. allows international student-athletes to improve their English language skills and adapt to American culture, which can be beneficial for their future academic and professional endeavors. Many post-grad programs also offer academic support to help athletes meet the eligibility requirements for NCAA or NAIA colleges, ensuring they are academically prepared for college-level coursework.
Furthermore, studying in the U.S. provides international student-athletes with valuable cultural experiences and the opportunity to build a network of contacts within the American sports industry. This can open doors to future opportunities, both athletically and professionally, and enrich their overall educational experience.
Pre Game: Graduating Unsigned Senior | Post Grad Discovery
Unsigned Senior With No Recruitment
Getting Discovered By Post Grad Programs
Choosing The Right Post Grad Program
Preparing For The Upcoming Post Grad Season
Preparing for a post-grad year at a prep school as a student athlete involves several important steps to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the experience:
Academic Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the academic expectations and requirements of the prep school. Review any materials provided by the school, such as course catalogs and academic policies. If there are any subjects or areas where you may need additional support, consider brushing up on those before the school year begins.
Athletic Conditioning: Ensure that you're in good physical condition before arriving at the prep school. Start or continue your training regimen to be prepared for the intensity of practices and games. Work on improving any areas of weakness and focus on building endurance, strength, and agility.
Communication with Coaches: Reach out to the coaching staff to introduce yourself and express your excitement about joining the program. Ask about expectations for preseason training and any specific skills or drills you should focus on before the start of the season. Building a positive relationship with coaches early on can set the tone for a successful year.
Logistical Planning: Take care of any logistical arrangements well in advance, such as travel plans, housing arrangements, and paperwork required by the school. Make sure you have all necessary documents, including medical records and insurance information, and complete any pre-enrollment tasks required by the school.
Understanding Expectations: Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the prep school, including academic policies, athletic eligibility requirements, and codes of conduct. Understand what is expected of you both on and off the field, and be prepared to uphold the school's standards of behavior and performance.
Emotional Preparation: Prepare yourself mentally for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Moving to a new environment can be exciting but also daunting, so take time to mentally prepare for the transition. Stay open-minded, be willing to adapt to new routines and expectations, and approach the experience with a positive attitude.
By taking these steps to prepare before arriving for your post-grad year at a prep school, you can set yourself up for success both academically and athletically and make the most of this valuable opportunity for growth and development.
6 Things To Expect First Time Leaving The Nest | Post Grad Year vs Freshman Year of College:
Living Away From Home For The First Time
Taking Care Of Yourself
Playing For A New Coach
Playing In A New System With New Culture
Playing With Other Good Players
College Style Training Schedule
Coaches POV: One of the key factors while going through your Post Grad year is the adversity that you face as an athlete. For a lot of players, its their first time living away from home & that can be difficult in the early weeks of the program. The growth that happens during this time is vital to set up student athletes for real life. Life skills & learning how to fight through adversity being on your own. Learning to trust the process & putting in the work will lead to success on & off the court.
1st Half:
Pre Season Intro To Post Grad | September
Understanding All Levels of College Basketball
Workout vs Outwork
Intro to Recruiting
Fall Live Period
Coaches POV: Training & inter squad scrimmages begin. Scrimmages serve great value in the preseason. It helps coaches evaluate each player & their specific needs. It's a chance for players & coaches to build trust, for players to show their post grad coaches how coachable they are, how hard they work, how quick they buy into the programs philosophy & principles. During the September live period college coaches are allowed to come & view players during their daily training sessions & practices. Good Post Grad programs have connections throughout the highest levels of basketball. Quarterly, individual meetings This is an opportunity to get a jump start on college leads by getting on someones radar. During the September live period you'll also get visits from national/regional scouts & recruiters. The preseason sets the tone for a long season. It's an intro to 3 main areas of Post Grad Basketball; understanding different levels of college basketball, testing your limits in training/practices, & lastly, its setting a solid foundation for recruitment.
Building Character & Intro To National Exposure: October | November
Getting Settled Into Your Team
Post Grad Coaches Evaluations
Pre/Mid Season Showcases
Start Recruiting Foundation
Coaches Thoughts: Most post grad programs have multiple teams & during this time players will be set on their respective teams within the program & will start playing competitive games against regional & national programs. During these times, players would have been a few weeks into the program & coaches start to have an idea of what the best possible college situation would be for each athlete. Players will start to gain interest from college coaches by playing in regional/national preseason showcases. Other scouts & recruiting services will have reports & insight for college coaches at all levels can refer to. These services have college connection by the masses This is a good evaluation for coaches, players, & families to get a feel for the best collegiate level thats best for them.
Halftime | Building The Right Mindset | Understanding My Recruitment: December
Mid Season Showcases
Player Evaluations & Recruitment Meetings
Your School List vs Your Post Grad Coach List
Season Break
Coaches POV: Midseason showcases are built to play high level competition & test the work you've been putting in. By playing against quality competition, Post Grad Coaches can properly evaluate you base on your performance on the court. This could be several factors such as; your basketball IQ, can you be coached, & how quick can you make your adjustment in the program. Player Evaluations & quarterly recruitment meetings with each player will keep clarity between coaches & the players. Both parties have to work together & be on the same page. Go over your school target list with the coaching staff & let them guide you on the right path. Going into the first semester break. Use this time to reflect & analyze your path. For Post Grad athletes the semester break is an opportunity to gain an edge for the upcoming 2nd semester. Average athletes go home & chill, elite level athletes uses that break time to get better! DON'T BE AVERAGE!!
2nd Half: Max My Recruitment: Exposure: January | February
Reset Your Mind
Take Control of Your Recruitment
Filling Out College Recruiting Questionnaires
Zero In On Your Target Level & College Options
Coaches POV: After doing self evaluations & staying in constant contact with your coaches, you should come back ready to attack the 2nd semester. The first week back from break, coaches can easily notice who was putting in work over the break & who wasn't! This can drastically increase or decrease playing time, your coaches trust, & most importantly, your recruitment. By the 2nd semester you'll have a clear pathway for your recruitment. Although there's no guarantees in college basketball recruiting, by taking the proper steps you can separate yourself from others in your recruiting class. Filling out college questionnaires can help get your name on a college coaches radar directly! By having your player profiles in place & all of your info is current you could easily gain more interest. Mostly times if coaches show interest they will contact you & your coaches to talk about you as a person & a player, schedule phone calls, zoom calls, unofficial/official visits to campus, & even get invited to a workout in the spring. During this time, with quarterly recruitment meetings you will start to zero in on your college level.
March Exit Counseling | Spring Live Period: March | April
Post Season Showcases & Tournaments
Post Season Evaluation Meetings
Prepare For College Visits & Workouts
April Live Period Spring AAU & Unsigned Senior Showcases
Coaches POV: Postseason showcases & tournaments will be the last time college coaches will see you by the masses until the April Live Period. Hopefully the coaches that seen you in the preseason will notice the improvements you've made & that will help build your stock to potentially receiving a college scholarship offer. Your postseason evaluations with your post grad coaches will give you a final blueprint of what to do in the upcoming months leading to entering your first college semester in the fall. Whether you're committed to a school by now, or you're still in search of an opportunity, its a plan for you! Once you have your school choice you'll then start to prepare for the qualifications for that specific college. For the unsigned its time to prepare for the April Live Period, Spring AAU, Exposure Showcases, etc. During this time you must stay in constant contact with your coaches & continue to promote yourself via social media & scouting/recruiting services.
Post Season: May | June | July | August
Resume & Player Profiles Should Be Set
Attend Spring & Summer Exposure Events
Stay In The Gym! (Stay Ready & You Never Have To Get Ready)
Commit & Sign!
Coaches POV: By this point, if you've executed everything above at a high level you should be either committed to a college or have your fair share of college options. Believe it, recruitment could stretch all the way from July/August & things can seem uncertain but its many variable that could potentially affect your recruitment. Things like college coaches job changes, the college transfer portal, & lack of a recruiting profile & exposure. The most important things to do is to continue to promote yourself by attending college workouts & exposure events, & also staying in the gym! Signed or Unsigned....STAY IN THE GYM!!!
Closing Remarks: Even though the recruiting process is a rough one. With the right support system & recruiting tactics inn place, you should map out a solid road to success during you Post Grad Year. Your coaches will be there to support you every step of the way. The student athletes that use their post grad year to their advantage are the ones who have the most success. The principles that you learn as a post grad will help you gain a mental & physical edge vs your peers. Post Grad is the road less taken but the road that has real life success stories & blueprints to follow.
Important Links To Research:
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