Behind the Scenes: Basketball Recruiting

The Recruiting Perspective from High School Basketball Coach, David Yates

By Bryana Hopkins|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on May 18, 2022)

Coach Interviews are published the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month to give athletes advice and an idea of what coaches are looking for.

Dave Yates is the girls' varsity basketball coach at Fremd High School in Palatine, IL. Being a high school coach, he has a different perspective on the recruiting process, and can give valuable insight to other athletes going through the recruiting process. He talks about flaws in the recruiting process and offers advice.

What would you like to see as far as changes in the recruiting process?
I think that allowing kids to choose schools early has created a situation where players and families make bad choices on limited information. I think any way to get families and players more information would be helpful. I think players need to be allowed to talk to coaches sooner. I think official visits need to happen earlier.

How do you think Fremd/high school student-athletes looking to play sports in college benefit from companies that provide support to athletes being recruited, such as 2aDays?
I think that any company that helps a student market themselves to a college or learn about a college is helpful. There are so many kids to recruit; any way to get your name in front of a college [coach] will be helpful.

What do you think are the most beneficial services provided by companies that support students involved in the recruiting process?
I think student-athlete advice would be great. Most bad decisions are the result of players and parents having no clue about the process. Any insight on this would be helpful.

What information do you think high school athletes are missing most when navigating the recruiting process?
Often times it is reality. They chase the biggest schools and highest offers and don't understand fit. This coupled with making a decision too early with too little information is why we have so many transfers. I think advice from kids who transferred would be huge (call it what I would do different with my initial recruiting!).

What do you think are the positive aspects of the recruiting process?
It is great to be wanted. If you get offers, it is an amazing process. It can also be a very harsh and disappointing process. If you understand it and know what you are getting into, then I think it can be very enjoyable.

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