Most coaches would agree that there are three key components when it comes to recruiting a player to play in their system. The three things they assess are:
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2.) Academic Ability
3.) Character
I like this order, even though all 3 components might be considered equally important to coaches, if you don’t have talent – you don’t have a chance. Talent is what attracts interest.
That being said, I believe their are two pieces to talent when it comes to on-court abilities.
1.) Athleticism
2.) Skill-Sets
Athleticism is what you are blessed with physically. How tall you are, how high you can jump, how fast you can run, etc. A lot of these things are out of your control. A lot of coaches take chances on these type of players and sacrifice skill-sets to get a player who is extremely athletic. Why?
Players who are athletic have a higher ceiling meaning if that coach can develop their skill sets they have more potential to grow over a player that doesn’t have the physical tools.
Your skill-sets are what you have most control over because you determine your development. Here’s one thing I’ve noticed – players that make it to the highest level who don’t have great athletic ability can do one thing really well. They can shoot.
Bill Self told me, “We don’t look if players can score, we look for players that can shoot.”
Shooters create space for their teammates and stretch the defense. It is very hard for a team defense to help off of shooters because they don’t want to give up high percentage shots. This creates for all of your “athletes” on your team. A shooter can help his teammates without ever touching the ball!
Bottom Line:
When I asked Brad Stevens what the most important advice he could give to a player he said, “Find things within the game that you can be really good at and their will be a place for you on a team.”
Ask yourself, “what can I bring to any team that could help them no matter who I was playing with?” Develop that talent and be the best around at what you do!
