High School Sports Recruiting

  NCAA DIVISION I: 

Point Guard (6′0″ +) 

*Great ball handling skills
*Great passing skills
*Ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter
*Displays exceptional floor leadership
*Excellent court awareness
*Exceptional athleticism and lateral quickness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Shooting Guard (6′2″ +) 

*Exceptional shooter from the perimeter
*Extremely athletic with very good lateral quickness
*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Good court awareness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Small Forward (6′4″ +) 

*Extremely athletic with good lateral quickness
*Very versatile all-around skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Power Forward (6′7″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket or facing the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Extremely athletic
*Ability to run the floor extremely well
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Center (6′9″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Ability to run the floor extremely well
*Extremely athletic
*Minimum of 10 PPG with the exception of student-athletes who are 6′10″ and above 

NCAA DIVISION II: 

Point Guard (5′11″ +) 

*Very good ball handling skills
*Very good passing skills
*Ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter
*Displays very good floor leadership
*Excellent court awareness
*Very good athleticism and lateral quickness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Shooting Guard (6′1″ +) 

*Exceptional shooter from the perimeter
*Very good athleticism with very good lateral quickness
*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Good court awareness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Small Forward (6′4″ +) 

*Very athletic with good lateral quickness
*Versatile all-around skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Power Forward (6′6″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket or facing the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Very Athletic
*Ability to run the floor well
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Center (6′7″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Ability to run the floor well
*Very Athletic
*Minimum of 10 PPG with the exception of student-athletes 6′8″ and above 

NCAA DIVISION III: 

Point Guard (5′8″ +) 

*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter
*Displays good floor leadership
*Good court awareness
*Good athleticism and lateral quickness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Shooting Guard (5′11″ +) 

*Exceptional shooter from the perimeter
*Athletic with good lateral quickness
*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Good court awareness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Small Forward (6′2″ +) 

*Athletic
*Versatile all-around skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Power Forward (6′4″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Good rebounding skills
*Athletic
*Ability to run the floor well
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Center (6′5″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Good rebounding skills
*Ability to run the floor well
*Athletic
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

***All student-athletes who score 25 and above on the ACT, or equivalent on the SAT, will be an exception to the minimum of 10 PPG for NCAA Division III 

NAIA DIVISION I: 

Point Guard (5′11″ +) 

*Very good ball handling skills
*Very good passing skills
*Ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter
*Displays good floor leadership
*Very good court awareness
*Very good athleticism and lateral quickness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Shooting Guard (6′1″ +) 

*Exceptional shooter from the perimeter
*Very good athleticism with very good lateral quickness
*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Good court awareness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Small Forward (6′3″ +) 

*Very athletic with good lateral quickness
*Versatile all-around skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Power Forward (6′4″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket or facing the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Very Athletic
*Ability to run the floor well
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Center (6′7″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Very good rebounding skills
*Ability to run the floor well
*Very Athletic
*Minimum of 10 PPG with the exception of student-athletes who are 6′8″ and above 

NAIA DIVISION II: 

Point Guard (5′10″ +) 

*Very good ball handling skills
*Very good passing skills
*Ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter
*Displays good floor leadership
*Good court awareness
*Good athleticism and lateral quickness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Shooting Guard (6′0″ +) 

*Exceptional shooter from the perimeter
*Good athleticism with good lateral quickness
*Good ball handling skills
*Good passing skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Good court awareness
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Small Forward (6′2″ +) 

*Good athleticism
*Versatile all-around skills
*Ability to score the basketball from different areas on the floor
*Ability to break defenders down off the dribble
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Power Forward (6′4″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Good rebounding skills
*Athletic
*Ability to run the floor well
*Minimum of 10 PPG 

Center (6′5″ +) 

*Ability to play with back to the basket
*Good rebounding skills
*Ability to run the floor well
*Athletic
*Minimum of 10 PPG with the exception of student-athletes who are 6′7″ and above 

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:
3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen) 

* Scale of 1.00 – 5.00, with 5 being Very Important 

Although statistics are an important factor, they do not tell the entire story, especially in regards to specific positions and overall playing performance. Our feedback indicates that coaches are looking for wing players to be able to score, point guards to distribute and lead and post players with great size, footwork and hands. In some instances, these skill sets are as important, if not more important to college coaches than statistics. Level of competition also plays an important role in stats. In addition, work ethic, attitude, leadership and a winning mentality are all factors that gain the attention of college coaches.  

Basketball by the Numbers

IF YOU THINK YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER IS A CANDIDATE FOR COLLEGE SPORTS THEN IT IS UP TO YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP. PLEASE VISIT THE BLOGROLL LINK IN THE LIST TO THE RIGHT TITLED A. YOUR FIRST STEP TO PLAYING COLLEGE SPORTS TO START THE PROCESS

Division I: 

The typical Division I baseball player is ‘polished’ and seems to already have all the tools necessary to be successful as a freshman. As opposed to the Division II baseball player, the typical DI player needs far less development, if any. The position players possess at least 4 of the 5 measurable tools – hit for average, hit for power, arm strength, speed, and defensive abilities. The pitchers display a command of at least 3 pitches with high velocities. On average, they have the ability to throw many innings, and most often they are only used on the mound and rarely as position players. Most D1 players come from large high schools. Many of these programs are considered the best in their area or in the State. In addition, most DI players have been awarded accolades such as All-Area, All-County, or All-State. 

The average characteristics by position are as follows: 

Right Hand Pitchers:
-Height: 6′1″
-Weight: 180 Pounds
-Over 1 K per Inning Pitched
-ERA below 2.50
-Velocity: 88-90 MPH (Verified by neutral source) 

Left Hand Pitchers:
-Height: 6′1″
-Weight: 180 Pounds
-1 K per Inning Pitched
-ERA below 2.50 
-Velocity: 84-86 MPH (Verified by neutral source)  

Centerfielders:
-Height: 5′11″
-Weight: 170 Pounds
-60 Yard: 6.8 (Verified)
-Velocity for OF: 86-87 MPH (Verified by neutral source) 

Middle Infielders:
-Height: 5′11″
-Weight: 175 Pounds
-60 Yard: 6.8-6.9 (Verified by neutral source)
-Velocity from INF: 85+ MPH (Verified by neutral source) 

Catchers:
-Height: 5′10″+
-Weight: 180 Pounds
-Pop Time: Sub 1.95 (Verified by neutral source) 

Corner Infielders:
-Height: 6′2″
-Weight: 200 Pounds
-Power Numbers: 8+ HR, 30+RBI 

Division II: 

For some colleges, especially those in the Southern States and out on the West Coast, DII Baseball is an extension of DI. There are very few differences between the typical West Coast or Southern DII player and the average DI player. For the DII schools up North, the athletes may be a notch below the average DI and perhaps a little less polished. They may not throw as hard, play for the top high schools programs, or possess at least 4 of the 5 measurable tools. This is not always the case, as there are some very solid DII Baseball Programs up North. However, it is no secret that overall, the better baseball schools are those located in warmer climates. 

The Minimum Requirements by position are as follows: 

Right Handed Pitchers:
- Height: 6′0′ (Preferably taller)
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Averaging about 1K per inning pitched
- ERA below 3.00
- Velocity: 85 MPH 

Left Handed Pitchers:
- Height: 5′10′ (Preferably taller)
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Averaging about 1K per inning pitched
- ERA at 3.00 or below
- Velocity: 83 MPH 

Centerfielders:
- Height: 5′10″ 
- Weight: 165 lbs
- 60 Yrd Time: 6.8 or below 

Middle Infielders:
- Height: 5′9″ 
- Weight: 165 lbs
- 60 Yrd Time: 6.9 or below
- 79-80 MPH from SS 

Catchers:
- Height: 5′10″ 
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Pop Time: 2.0 or below 

Much can be determined on film. It is very difficult to measure defensive abilities on paper. Fielding percentage cannot be used as an accurate statistic because it is difficult to calculate and it can be easily manipulated. Most Division II players have received several accolades, such as All Conference or All Area. 

Division III: 

Some DIII programs are stronger than others, but there seems to be more continuity with the physical characteristics of DIII players than there are for DII or NAIA. Certain DIII programs, such as Wisconsin Whitewater or George Fox, play at a superior level. However, for the most part, the range of physical characteristics was slim.  

The Minimum Requirements by positions are as follow: 

Right Handed Pitchers:
- Height: 5′10″
- Weight: 170 Pounds
- 1 or less than 1 K Per Inning Pitched
- ERA below 4.00
- Velocity: 83 MPH 

Left Handed Pitchers:
- Height: 5′10″
- Weight: 165 Pounds
- 1 or less than 1 K Per Inning Pitched
- ERA below 4.00
- Velocity: 81 MPH 

Centerfielders:
- Height 5′10″
- Weight: 165 Pounds
- 60 Yard Dash: 7.0 or below 

Middle Infielders:
- Height: 5′9″
- Weight: 165 Pounds
- 60 Yard Dash: 6.9 or below 

Catchers:
- Height: 5′10″
- Weight: 175 Pounds
- Pop Time: 2.1 or below 

NAIA: 

The discrepancies in characteristics are very severe when it comes to NAIA baseball. Some NAIA schools are playing at a DII level, while others are competing at a lower DIII level. A mix of D2 criteria and D3 criteria make up the recruiting guidelines for this league.  

Junior College Baseball: 

Unlike the NAIA, Junior Colleges do have 3 divisions for the purpose of separating stronger JC programs from the weaker ones. While there may be somewhat of a drop off in talent between Division III Junior College and Division I and Division II Junior Colleges, there is little difference between DI and DII Junior Colleges. Many of the Junior College players lack the ‘polish’ to be considered DI players coming out of HS, but they already possess the necessary physical tools to be successful at the DI level. All they need to do is harness and polish those skills. The GPA’s of most of the Junior College athletes are lower than those attending 4 year schools, suggesting that these athletes need to two years to mature academically as well.  

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:
3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen)

Baseball by the Numbers

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships

IF YOU THINK YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER IS A CANDIDATE FOR COLLEGE SPORTS THEN IT IS UP TO YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP. PLEASE VISIT THE BLOGROLL LINK IN THE LIST TO THE RIGHT TITLED A. YOUR FIRST STEP TO PLAYING COLLEGE SPORTS TO START THE PROCESS

Like most college-bound kids, Chris Johnson went through the wringer between his junior and senior years in high school. He took the requisite tests and academics.

And he tried not to let a bout with pneumonia, which caused his grades to drop precipitously from the 4.0 GPA he’d earned going into his junior year and sidelined him from cross-country competition get him down too badly.

But the decision-making process proved especially wrenching. Like his peers, Johnson first wrestled the question, “Where should I apply to college?” Then he faced, “Where do I really want to go?” He flip-flopped and floundered before settling on a choice.

Don’t feel sorry for him, though. Johnson will attend the University of Pennsylvania in fall 2001. In fact, when he entered the get-into-college fray, the Marin County resident had a proven edge over the competition: He can run fast. So fast, he’s ranked eighth in California.

In the fall of his junior year, the Redwood High School track and cross-country standout was contacted by a number of coaches from prestigious colleges, with Princeton and Columbia among the first. Penn was not among them.

However, after meeting with a college counselor at the start of his senior year, Johnson was encouraged to take the initiative with Penn. He did, and the more he learned about Penn, the more he liked.

Located near a big city, with a very low teacher-to-student ratio, a great business program, and “one of the best track teams in the nation,” Penn “had all the benefits,” said Johnson. “My first visit, I fell in love with it.”

Funny thing is, before this school year he’d “never considered going Back East too much,” he said. As for the Ivies, “My grades alone would not have gotten me into any of these schools.”

Learn the Process

He’s probably right.

In the book “Getting In Inside the College Admissions Process,” author Bill Paul writes, “The candidate who is a great athlete someone who has earned state, regional, or national recognition in a sport has a huge advantage in the admissions process.”

Interestingly, Paul uses Penn as one example. Overall, Penn admits about a third of its applicants, according to Paul, a Princeton graduate and journalist. But among those whose names appear on a coach’s recruiting list, “better than one of two” are admitted, he contends in his 1995 book.

Furthermore, “For those who are first, second or third on the list, chances of acceptance are 90 percent.”

Paul goes on to explain that since Ivy League schools “tend to have more varsity sports” and smaller student bodies than some of the big state universities, the combination “means that recruited athletes at the elite liberal arts colleges constitute a much higher percentage of the student body.”

That’s not to say student-athletes are academically unsuited for the Ivies. But at the same time, many highly qualified candidates are routinely turned away from these highly selective schools.

“Playing sports can be an excellent way for a child to get a boost at decision-making time,” maintain Sally Rubenstine and Sidonia Dalby in their book, “College Admissions: A Crash Course for Panicked Parents.” Drawing from their experience as Smith College admissions officers, they write that a “superstar can get a full scholarship,” while “a less exceptional enthusiast can still up the odds of an acceptance.”

But don’t get overconfident, they warn. “Some students and parents overestimate the weight that athletic ability carries in the admission process and they overestimate the student’s athletic ability, period.”

Even the fortunate few who attract the interest of college athletic recruiters should be wary, they add. “Just because your child is recruited by a coach, don’t assume admission is a given.”

Many parents and students read way too much into a coach’s letter, especially in the early stages of recruitment. The coach of a top-notch Division III team may send out a thousand letters to prospective students when, in reality, the number of athletes offered spots will be in double digits.

Conversely, many smaller and less prestigious schools would welcome these students with open arms, but lack the budget to go out and recruit. Also, garnering a spot on a Division I or II team may not mean more playing time. Sometimes student athletes are better served going to a two-year school, where they can get lots of playing time to improve before moving on to the next level.
It’s a matching game. And very often, students armed with the best strategies win.

The Right Blend

Blanche Virk, a San Francisco Bay Area college counselor whose expertise in athletic recruiting brings her clients from as far as Sacramento, helps chart the course for interested students and parents.

She begins with the basics, looking to mesh student interests with college characteristics. And she urges kids to think broadly: “I like to encourage them to keep their mind open, be adventurous, and look for the best fit.”

They may begin by targeting 18 to 22 colleges, said the Marin resident and mother of four, including three sons who played sports in college. (Her daughter is in eighth grade.)

Virk encourages students to market themselves and, if they’re freshmen or sophomores, to consider attending a summer sports camp “where the coaches are going to be. It’s a very good thing,” she noted, “because many coaches wrap up their recruiting by the end of the junior year.”

And if a coach doesn’t initiate contact, don’t be shy, she says. Put together a package of materials to send to coaches, including a resume, a validating letter from your high school coach, a schedule of upcoming games or competitions, and a transcript.

After all, she said, “A lot of colleges don’t have the money to recruit, and all of a sudden this little marketing packet drops in their lap.”

It’s okay for parents to send the packet along with an introductory letter and to follow up with a phone call, she said. And it’s perfectly all right to ask the coach if he or she had a chance to look at the package and inquire, “What do you think?”

At this stage of the game, that’s about as far as you should go, Virk said. “You don’t want to talk about how great your son or daughter is.”

As the process moves along, students should start shortening their college lists. Virk advises kids “to be careful that on your list you have the whole range of selectivity. ‘Knock on all the doors,’ I say. But every one of those on your list (of six to eight colleges) should be a school that you would love to go to.”

She strongly recommends visiting college campuses. But don’t be hasty. “I would not set foot out the door until I knew the coach was really interested in me,” she cautioned. “This saves a lot of time and money.”

How can you tell? “You’re not recruited until that coach is calling you once a week,” she said. “Then you’re being recruited.”

Ready to Commit?

When Molly Callahan knuckled down in her college-search process at the end of her junior year in a Sacramento private school, she was pretty much set on sticking to the West Coast. Virk encouraged Callahan, an excellent diver, to consider Middlebury College in Vermont.

Callahan pursued the lead, and grew increasingly interested. When she visited the picturesque campus, “I just liked everything about it.” She met with the coach and mingled with the diving team. “It was important to me to see how the divers got along,” she said.

During diving season, which starts in the fall, “Typically we practice every day of the week together for four hours,” she said during spring break, after the season had concluded. “We eat dinner together, have a team dinner Friday night, have Saturday meets, and spend Saturday night with the team.”

It’s a huge commitment, obviously. But Callahan has no regrets.

However, some high school athletes aren’t ready or able to take the next step, and maybe they shouldn’t. “When they love their sport, and they feel they would like to continue in college, go to the coach and have a heart-to-heart talk,” Virk said. Most high school coaches will give an honest opinion.

Even Johnson, a clear champion in his class, wavered somewhat. “There’s a lot of fine runners that don’t go on to the next level,” he acknowledged. “For me it came down to, ‘Why not just try to use running to get me into an Ivy League school?’”

The Juggling Act

Danielle Mainas of Kentfield, who calls herself “insanely committed” to crew, also harbored some worries as she planned to enroll at the University of California, Berkeley, which is “one of the best rowing schools in the country,” she said.

“I don’t think I would have considered [Cal] had I not rowed, because I don’t think I would have gotten in. I didn’t make it with academics,” said the Redwood High School senior, who has a 4.0 GPA and scored 1330 on her SAT I.

Contemplating the load of coursework, practice, and competition, she said, “I think I can handle it, with the support they give.”

Essentially, she was wooed. “They definitely were interested in Marin girls, and Marin Rowing has a really great reputation,” she explained. “They’ve been after us for a really long time. They offer amazing support academically, the best dorms.”

Anyway, juggling academics and year-round sports is nothing new for Mainas. “Crew really teaches time management,” she said. “And it kind of becomes your family. When we have a week off in the fall, I definitely don’t know what to do with myself.”

Mainas’ experience is not unusual, said Virk. “For many people, a sport keeps them structured. It just takes balancing.” As for a social life, “You really don’t need a fraternity or sorority when you’re on the team,” said Virk. “You have instant friends.”

Do It for Love

So, should your shining-star student enter the athletic-recruitment competition? College sports requires more than talent, suggests Virk. “You have to do it because you love it. You have to have passion.”

IF YOU THINK YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER IS A CANDIDATE FOR COLLEGE SPORTS THEN IT IS UP TO YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP. PLEASE VISIT THE BLOGROLL LINK IN THE LIST TO THE RIGHT TITLED A. YOUR FIRST STEP TO PLAYING COLLEGE SPORTS TO START THE PROCESS