What College Coaches Actually Look For in Recruits
The game has changed—getting recruited means more than just putting up numbers. Here's what coaches really evaluate, and how to stand out at every level.
Scoring 30 is great. But it won’t get you recruited—alone. Coaches at all levels want the full picture: character, basketball IQ, athleticism, academics, and fit.
At Scoutology, we’ve talked with coaches from D1 to JUCO, and here’s the consistent message we hear:
“I’m not recruiting who you are today. I’m recruiting who you can become in my program.”
Let’s break that down into the five key areas that actually move the needle.
1. Skills & Basketball IQ
Scoring is only one piece of the puzzle. Coaches want players who know how to play—not just those who can play.
That means:
Can you read help defense?
Do you rotate early, or late?
Do you make the extra pass, or hunt for your shot?
Can you handle pressure and still make sound decisions?
🗣️ Tom Izzo (Michigan State):
“[I don’t] determine playing time, players do.”
Players who make the right read at the right moment—especially under pressure—get those minutes. Basketball IQ isn’t just talent. It’s study. It’s pattern recognition. It’s watching the game like a coach.
Scoutology Tip:
Don’t just watch your film—watch film of elite college players in your position. Pause, rewind, and ask: “Why did they rotate there? Why that read off the screen? Why that tempo change?”
Learn to anticipate, not just react.
2. Athleticism
You don’t need a 40" vertical to get recruited—but your body must be able to keep up with the demands of the college game.
Coaches look for:
Lateral quickness to stay in front on defense
Explosiveness off the floor
Stamina to maintain effort through 40 minutes
Core strength to handle contact
You can be the smartest player on the floor, but if you can’t stay in front of your man you won’t play. Basketball is physical. If your body can’t deliver your mind’s decisions, you’ll fall behind.
Scoutology Tip:
Build an off-court training plan that develops your speed, vertical, core, and recovery.
📈 Track your growth:
¾ court sprint time
Vertical jump test
Shuttle run agility
Body weight and strength metrics
This makes you coachable and trackable.
3. Coachability & Attitude
Talent might get you noticed, but attitude keeps you in the gym.
Most coaches do one thing before making an offer: they call your current coach or trainer.
And they ask:
Does he listen?
How does he respond to mistakes?
Is he a team-first guy?
Is he consistent with his effort?
🗣️ Kelvin Sampson (Houston):
“We recruit high-character guys who want to work, care about winning, and understand the process of becoming great.”
You’re being evaluated every day—even in how you respond to being subbed out or playing fewer minutes.
Scoutology Tip:
Become the player who:
Encourages teammates genuinely
Shows leadership without entitlement
Competes in every drill like it’s the last one
Brings energy when others fade
Coaches notice everything—especially when the lights are off.
4. Academic Performance
Here’s the truth: some coaches can’t recruit you, no matter how talented you are, if your grades aren’t right.
And if your grades are average, they may pass in favor of someone who’s equally talented and dependable in the classroom.
🗣️ Brad Stevens (Butler, former):
“Smart players make smart decisions. If a kid can’t stay eligible or stay on task, it limits what we can build.”
Your GPA and test scores are proof of your discipline and time management. They tell a coach if you can juggle early lifts, classes, travel, and practice—without falling apart.
Scoutology Tip:
Set an academic plan like you’d set a training plan.
Know the NCAA core course requirements
Target at least a 3.0 GPA
Prepare for the SAT/ACT early
Keep transcripts and progress reports updated
Grades are one of the most fixable parts of your recruitment—if you start soon enough.
5. Positional Fit & System Match
Not every coach runs your style. And that’s OK.
Recruiting is not about just getting in—it’s about finding the right fit, where your game can thrive. Coaches build systems, and they want players who fit that blueprint.
🗣️ Tom Izzo:
“We recruit to our identity. We’re tough. We defend. We rebound. If you can’t do those things, it’s going to be a long four years.”
If you’re a spot-up shooter trying to join a team that relies on downhill guard penetration… that’s not alignment. Coaches want plug-and-play pieces—players who elevate their system.
Scoutology Tip:
Do deep research on your target programs.
Watch full games, not just highlights
Learn their pace, spacing, and defensive tendencies
Reach out to coaches with personalized messages that show you understand their system
Your email should sound like this:
“Coach, I’ve been following your program’s pace-and-space offense and how much you rely on weak side shooters. I believe my game matches that style and I’d love to send you my film.”
🧠 Why Scoutology?
We’re not just a highlight reel shop. We help athletes get seen—and selected—by building every part of the profile that coaches value.
With Scoutology, you can:
✅ Build intelligent game tapes that highlight IQ, toughness, and system fit
✅ Present academic and character strength that opens more doors
✅ Show your athletic development and long-term ceiling
✅ Connect directly with active programs looking for your skill set
Ready to take your recruitment seriously?
📩 info@thescoutology.com
📅 Schedule your free personalized recruiting strategy call
We’ll help you assess where you are—and build a path to where you want to go.
Let’s build your future—intentionally.
— The Scoutology Team