What’s it like for recruits when college basketball’s biggest-name coaches are watching?
.JPG "Ciara Byars (3) helped lead George Rogers Clark High School to the semifinals of the Girls’ Sweet 16 last season. She is the No. 35-ranked national recruit in the class of 2025.")
A promising high school basketball player might take her talents to the AAU circuit for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, etc., positioning oneself against bigger, stronger and faster competition than a typical high school team sees can do quite a bit for a prospect’s future.
The challenge that a higher level of play can provide, the lessons in how to adapt to new teammates, and the understanding that one person won’t consistently be the star are all tremendously valuable. But, even when summer-time tournaments are packed to the brim with hundreds of teams and thousands of players, it’s difficult not to notice one of the biggest advantages this stage offers:
College coaches are there to find the next generation of players for their programs.
What’s it like to be watched by some of the biggest names in the sport at such a young age? To face top competition and be expected to perform at a high level in front of a sea of coaches wearing team gear? Is it intimidating?
Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2025, doesn’t think so.
“No, it’s not intimidating,” Chavez said in Chicago during the recent Nike Tournament of Champions. “I think that since the coaches are coming to watch me, I’m like, ‘I gotta put on a show.’”
The star point guard for CyFair Elite EYBL and Monterey (Texas) High School said a major recruiting event provides a chance to show all that she’s worked for so far.
“I gotta just play my basketball,” Chavez said. “Because a lot of coaches are looking to play good basketball. They’re not looking for highlights, they’re not looking for anything. They’re just looking for the right basketball.”
Embrace it, or block it out?
Naturally, every prospect approaches a national recruiting showcase differently.
For Kayleigh Heckel, the No. 20 prospect in the class of 2024 and a guard for Exodus EYBL as well as Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.), an event like the Nike Tournament of Champions builds confidence.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for us and I think that everyone on our team is gonna go and play at a high level,” Heckel said. “So I think just being able to know that like, the coaches are watching us and stuff, it makes you feel really good about yourself and about your teammates and it is great to see me and my teammates just strive to be better when they’re watching.”
Some recruits don’t think about who’s watching, and find ways to zero in on the game action.
Class of 2025 UK target Naomi Benson, of Sports City Angels EYBL and Streetsboro High School (Ohio), is the No. 52 recruit in her age group. Though this is her first summer on the EYBL circuit, she played last summer on an Adidas 3SSB roster.
“I think I’m just used to it,” Benson said. “I really black out the coaches, I just really focus on the game. And then after, I realize like, “’Whoa. There was a lot of coaches there.’”
For University of Kentucky target Ciara Byars, the No. 35 national recruit in the class of 2025 and a major player for both Kentucky Premier EYBL and George Rogers Clark High School, the goal of these tournaments is crystal clear.
“At the end of the day,” Byars said. “It’s just basketball and you’re playing with your girls just hoping to come out on top.”
‘The recruitment process is so stressful’
What about players who have already decided on their next stop? Do already-committed recruits feel differently about the esteemed onlookers?
Alabama commit Chloe Spreen, No. 74 in the class of 2024 and a guard for Kentucky Premier EYBL and Bedford North Lawrence (Ind.), said there’s a new sense of relief playing this summer.
“This is my first summer being committed and playing,” Spreen said. “And it’s just been so much better. Like, go out and actually play the game I love and have fun. That’d be stressful because the recruitment process is so stressful. So, just to see (the Alabama coaching staff) support me on the sidelines and knowing that I’m going there, like those are my coaches! That makes me happy.”
UCLA commit Kendall Dudley, the No. 12 prospect in the class of 2024 and a playmaker for Team Durant EYBL and Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), said it’s reassuring to see Bruins head coach Cori Close in the bleachers. But, prior to her commitment, she saw the stage differently.
“I think it was just motivating, you know, just seeing people watch me,” Dudley said. “It helps kind of reassure me of my talent and just what people are looking for me. I also think it’s a little nerve wracking when like (UConn head coach) Geno Auriemma is watching you, but overall I think it’s a great experience and I’m blessed to be having that.”
