Basketball Recruiting Advice for Shooting Guards

Another series of articles that I am going to start is breaking down the recruiting knowledge that I know for different positions in both basketball and football. While some may feel that recruiting is all the same, that is definitely not the case at all. The recruiting process for a quarterback, point guard linebacker, center, or kicker is very different. That is why I plan on focusing on a variety of positions to help with basketball recruiting and football recruiting.

In this look, we are taking an inside peak at how a shooting guard should handle the basketball recruiting process. And with shooting in the same of your position, your biggest test is to prove that you can shoot the ball in front of college coaches. And with many basketball junkies feeling that shooting is a lost art, this is a position that someone who works hard can take advantage of.

The one thing I have seen over the past few years is if a player can really shoot the ball from just about anywhere, he can get an athletic scholarship to pay for college. There have been 5-foot-10 shooters who have no right even trying to play point guard explode on the AAU scene and end up with double digit scholarship offers. With shooting, a lot of it has to do with how hard you work as a player.

While playing or working out in front of college coaches, you need to prove to them that you have the ability to get your shot off at any time. And if you are hitting your shots, that is a great thing for you. I have seen many athletes have an outstanding showing one day on the AAU circuit and that was enough to get a Division II scholarship offer from a highly rated program. If there is any position that can go from unknown to rated in a short period of time, it is definitely the shooting guard.

When working on your highlight video, it may come as a surprise but you need to show your ability to shoot the ball from everywhere on the floor. Include mid range jump shots, three pointers, coming off of picks and hitting shots. It may be nice to include a few layups but getting to the hoop against someone at the high school level is going to be much easier than in college. That is why showing off your ability to knock down the outside shot is important.

On this video, you need to prove to the college basketball coaches watching that you have what it takes to hit big shots. Include any game winners that helped your team secure a late victory. Throw in a few (And I mean a few) free throws late in the game so that they know you can step up in the clutch.

As a shooting guard, you must prove to these coaches that you are a gym rat who loves to work on his shot. Most great shooting guards are the ones that get shots up all the time and are very methodical about their shot. They know that they need their shoulders square, their feet in a good position, and a good pass to hit the shot. These shooting guards spend a great deal of time in the gym and make it their life. That is the only way they are able to play at such a high level.

For those that follow college basketball, you probably have head of Chris Lofton of Tennessee. This senior has made a living with the Vols hitting shots all throughout the game as well as buzzer beaters late. This is a player that I have heard stories about that they have to kick him out of the gym at night many times. He is crazy enough to come into the arena and shoot with little or no light. He feels that if he can make shots then, he won’t have any problems with the lights on.

Lofton is your prime example of an incredibly hard working shooting guard. He went from having only one scholarship in high school to becoming an All American with that work ethic. If you want to earn that athletic scholarship as well, you need to prove to the college coaches that you have what it takes to shoot for them.

Previous recruiting specific articles to look at:

• Football Recruiting Advice for Quarterbacks
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Point Guards
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Location
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Athletic Facilities
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: The Coaching Staff