Choosing what college to go to can be stressful. Perhaps you have too many options and are having a hard time making a decision, or perhaps you have a school in mind but not sure it’s the right fit for you. Deciding on a school can be overwhelming and navigating through the uncertainty can be nerve wracking. After all, we are signing our life away for the next four years – it’s not an easy decision! Here are a few tips and questions to ask yourself, that will help you out with the recruiting process. 

What is most important to you?

What are your non-negotiables when choosing the right school for you? A school with a great basketball program? A school where you will get a top shelf education? Does location matter? What about the size of the school? Do you want to choose a school that is close to home, where your parents can come watch you play? What about if the school has the specific degree you may be interested in studying? Is being on a winning team your top priority, or do you place more value on playing time? Ask yourself these questions, and write down a list on what is most important to you. By prioritizing your main values,  it should help make your decision more clear when choosing the right school for you.

How do you fit into the team system?

A lot of players make the mistake of not properly doing their research before signing. What kind of system does your coach run? How will your game translate into that system? Will your strengths be showcased? Or will it bring out weaknesses in your game that you may need to work on (this is not a bad thing – but you want to play somewhere that will suit your style of play). If playing time your first year is important to you, check to see how many seniors or upperclassmen the team has, and what position they play in. If you sign to a team full of seniors that are graduating, there will be a lot more room for playing time. How many other people on the team play your position, and where do you fit into the rotation? If the team superstar is a sophomore point guard, and you are coming in behind her, you may be in for a long 3 years will limited playing time. These are all things to think about when choosing a team that is right for you and it is up to you to do the research. Ask the right questions!

What will be your role on the team? 

Knowing what role your coach has in store for you is imperative, and a great question to ask. Is your coach bringing you in to be a scorer? A facilitator? A lockdown defender? An energy or hustle player? Do they see you as being one of the main options, or more of a role player? Don’t be afraid to ask. Be careful of coaches that tell you what you want to hear, simply just to get you to sign. Look for coaches that are honest with you, and be careful of ones that are only selling you a dream. Odds are, you won’t be coming in freshmen year to be the main option (unless you are JuJu Watkins) – but more likely, you will have to work your way up the ladder and earn your spot. Make sure that you are confident and comfortable in the role your coach has planned for you. Transparency will help give you clarity, as well as help you avoid any potential surprises or disappointments.

Take a visit

If possible, take a visit to the school(s) you are interested in to get a feel for it. Do you like the campus? What were the living arrangements? Check out the dorm rooms or team house and image yourself living in it. Meet the team and get to know the girls – see if you feel a connection with them and try to jump in an open gym. Playing a game of pick up will give you a feel of what the teams playing style will be like and if you enjoy playing with each other.  How were the facilities and training room? Check out as much as you can while you are there, even the cafeterias and food halls. Visiting your potential future school will remove much of the uncertainty that lies in your decision.  

How is the the team culture?

How does the team interact? Is it a healthy environment? Is it a fun environment? Do you think you will click the girls? If you took a visit, was the team warm and welcoming? Add a current or former team alumni on Instagram and ask them if they wouldn’t mind  sharing their experience with you. [Side note, this is very subjective. Everybody is going to have a different experience – what may be a great school or coach to one could have been an awful experience to another, so keep this in mind.]

Do you like the coach? 

Sometimes we may not like our coach, but basketball is sure a lot more enjoyable when you do. With that said, try to find a school where you feel a strong report with the coach. Do you feel this coach has your best interest? Does the coast coach ask you any personal questions and try to get to know you? Does this coach care about your life off the basketball court? Do they actually care about their players or only care about winning? I strongly suggest seeking out a coach that cares about you as a human being first, not just a basketball player. Do your research and make sure you like their coaching style and philosophy – you want to develop as not only a basketball player, but a person as well. Remember that you are signing up for the next 4 years of your life, so choosing a school with an exceptional coach should be a top priority. 

My final piece of advice when choosing the right school for you would simply be to follow your gut. Typically, our intuition never leads us astray – if you have a good feeling about one school and a bad feeling about another, chances are you’re right. Once you’ve found the right school for you, you will know. And remember, picking a school is a pretty big life decision – so give yourself some grace, take your time, and be proud of yourself. Trust in your decision and enjoy the ride, some of your life’s best memories await!