Obtaining a Basketball Scholarship
Text from "Enhancing Your Chances For A Scholarship Offer..."
Kevin Eastman, President, Eastman Basketball Camps

Understand that scholarships are earned not just handed out... The biggest thing you can do as a player is to make sure you worry about what you can do to help yourself, because you can control what you concentrate on. You cannot get wrapped up in what someone else is doing or saying. Place your total focus on what you can do to help yourself!

1. DO WHAT YOU DO BEST:
too often players try to impress college coaches by attempting to do things they just aren't very good at; figure out what has made you a player they are coming to see and do those things in the game; if you are not a great shooter, show you can drive it; show you can rebound; show you can defend; the biggest mistake is to show them things you can't do.

2. HELP YOUR TEAM WIN AND ADVANCE: logic states that the deeper you go into post season play the more opportunity you have to get exposure; keep in mind...the best way to help your team win is to do what you do best to contribute to the wins.

3. STAY OUT OF TROUBLE: coaches don't want to deal with bad attitudes, facial expression guys, guys who hang with the wrong crowds.

4. KEEP YOUR GRADES UP: understand that coaches are looking for guys who understand the importance of their education; don't let your grades stand in the way of that scholarship offer...the better your grades the greater the number of schools who look at you.

5. TAKE THE SAT AGAIN: the higher your score the greater the number of schools you may have looking at you.

6. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FAVORITES: ...write a personal note on how much you want to go to that school and play for that coach; express the 'whys' and not just the 'wants'; make the coach feel the passion you feel.

7. PREPARE A STAT SHEET: If you can show on paper how much you have improved over the years this could help.

8. PREPARE A TAPE: this should be a combination of highlights and two full halves of play from a game, include both.

9. SEND A SCHEDULE OF GAMES: make sure to highlight games that are the tougher ones on your schedule.

10. FIGURE OUT WHO KNOWS WHO: always keep your ears open to who can make a contact for you; keep in mind though that you play for your coach and no coach wants to be undermined by people outside the program; keep your coach informed.