What's one of the best ways to get on a basketball coach's rader?
But, did you know that there are showcases meant to help you find a school that's both a good athletic fit and a good academic fit?
Today, we're talking about academic showcases. Just like regular showcases have athletic standards you have to meet, academic showcases have strict academic requirements. Both the students playing at the showcase and the schools in attendance must meet these academic standards. This way, if school is more important to you than sports, you can meet coaches who have similar priorities to you, and are willing to give you the opportunity to do both.
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Two groups who host academic showcases are Hoop Group and West Coast Elite.
Hoop Group is a group that puts on basketball camps and showcases on the East Coast. They claim that their academic camps offer the same exposure and instruction as their regular camps, but “for the academic elite.”
West Coast Elite academic camp: If you're looking for something in the Midwest or West Coast, look no further than West Coast Elite. They have coaches from prestigious schools in attendance, and believe in helping athletes plan for the future, even after college.
So, you've signed up for an academic camp or showcase. How do you prepare?
- Keep your grades up! You need to prove to coaches at these events that school is a priority.
- Reach out to coaches before the event and invite them to watch you play.
- Create an academic and athletic resume.
Academic camps are a great opportunity to showcase your athletic abilities while getting to meet coaches from schools with academic prestige. So do your research, prepare, and have fun!
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* Originally published on February 1, 2022, by Jaime Evers
