If you think that going DIII means fewer championship opportunities, think again. In 2019, Lake Forest's head basketball coach, Ken Davis, led his team to the first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in the school's program history and they've been hungry to return ever since. At the conference level, the team's four-year streak of advancing to the Midwest Conference Tournament is the longest in program history. With an impressive 71 victories in Davis' first five years as head coach, the Foresters are heading in the right direction.
Coach Davis players have also been successful in the classroom. His program has seven Academic All-MWC honors in 2015, as well as 2017. Some of his players have been named to the NABC Honors Court. With-in his tenure, the school has earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award twice in the last four seasons.
2aDays: What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
Coach Davis: Starts with talent level. Can they help make an impact on our team? Next is how they are academically — can they succeed at our school? Lastly how the adults and teammates feel about them. Watch them interact with both.
2aDays: What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
Coach Davis: Seeing them play with their club team or high school. Be spoken about on a recruiting list of a person we trust. Individual email from him or a HS coach instead of the mass emails everyone now sends out.
2aDays: When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone, or other)
Coach Davis: For us, at the end of their junior year of high school season. Sending us an email works for us.
2aDays: What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room and on the court?
Coach Davis: Since NCAA rules only permit us to do so much out of season, they will spend time with our strength coach when they get to campus. We want them seeing their professors during office hours and taking an active role in academic success. On the court putting in the effort we expect and doing things necessary to succeed.
2aDays: What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?
Coach Davis: DO: Make us aware of your spring and summer schedule. Respond to texts and be engaged over the phone. Visit campus if interested. Be honest during the process.
DON'TS: Send silly emails about wanting to play for us and winning the national championship and other claims without even knowing us with mass emails sent to hundreds of schools. Posting every time they visit a campus and taking pictures with every coach to promote their recruiting. Silly stuff on social media.
Related: Lake Forest Women's Hockey Coach, Jennifer Wilson, on the do's and don'ts of Recruiting
2aDays: What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?
Coach Davis: Be honest with coaches if you are or aren't interested.
2aDays: What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?
Coach Davis: If it is not more than 3 minutes, I'll watch it. Have clips of various things they do on both sides of the ball.
2aDays: When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during the offseason, in the middle of season or after each game?
Coach Davis: Off season and maybe one during the season.
2aDays: What advice do you have for recruits who get turned down by their dream schools? What are their options if they don't gain the recruiting attention they desire?
Coach Davis: They'll get recruited at the level that is generally right for them and make sure they are a priority for that school instead of seeing them once. People will find you if you're good enough and not get over promoted by HS or club coaches at a level they can't succeed.
2aDays: How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
Coach Davis: I look at every kid's social media when we recruit them. Be careful.
Regardless of whether you want to go D1, D2, or D3, Coach Davis's advice is valuable for all high school athletes. As always, making wise decisions in the recruiting process is key.
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* Originally published on April 19, 2022, by Keirsten Sires
