Recruiting stuff and random thoughts.

[DanL53]

Just speculation based off of hawk-I-bob's post about recruiting boards. Some things that I can only imagine play a part, big or small:

1) Early identification. Which means getting out and viewing players long before they are evaluated by the recruiting services. Which mean sometimes guys are offered and even accept before they are ranked.

2) Getting to know players personally. There's more to it than a jump shot. Are they hard workers, go to class, yada, yada. I suppose in some cases it's a quick yes or no, in others and maybe in many it's maybe. And my guess is kids could get moved up or down the board based on the more one learns about them.

3) Same goes for development. This is always a big thing with me. Some kids are physically men by the time they are 14, others still growing even after high school. Not just size, but coordination, the whole kitchen of pots and pans. How does one see the future with these guys?

4) Level of competition. I know the AAU is out there but still, some of these kids play at smaller schools, or find themselves behind players on an AAU squad and not seeing the opportunity to display their stuff. It seems to me that AAU squads vary but some highlight the top dogs on the team.

5) I'll call this one "dating". A kid could express all kinds of interest. Yeah, in twenty different schools! It has to be tough gauging real interest from a kid just trying to keep options open. And talk about a time waster. Seems like today prospects expect to see a coach or at least an assistant watching them every time they play.

6) The usual problem with handlers and especially if one has spent hour upon hour on a kid and then he "blows up" and suddenly the elite schools are taking notice.

7) Basketball Academies. Some good, some I wonder about. I think some get affiliated with a select group of Universities and breaking in (goes back to the handlers) takes some "extra" circumstances and yes even to the point of cheating. Not just Academies of course.

8) Rankings themselves. Seems like an athletic scorer gets a great ranking. But the game itself is played with five guys and one ball. I suspect coaches as opposed to recruiting services are often looking at how a player fits. And that is a very different thing.

9) Shoe Company Affiliation, seems to be a growing concern.

I'll stop there. But I'm sure this is just a small part of what goes into recruiting. Feel free to add to the list.

I'm just glad that often a player ranked rather low can develop and surprise. It's been one key to success for McCaffery's teams at Iowa. The day will come more "noticed" players wear the Black and Gold. In the meantime, these guy we've got have been doing a pretty good job of winning games. They might not come with a designer label, but more often than not they seem to fit pretty well.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Just speculation based off of hawk-I-bob's post about recruiting boards. Some things that I can only imagine play a part, big or small:

1) Early identification. Which means getting out and viewing players long before they are evaluated by the recruiting services. Which mean sometimes guys are offered and even accept before they are ranked.

2) Getting to know players personally. There's more to it than a jump shot. Are they hard workers, go to class, yada, yada. I suppose in some cases it's a quick yes or no, in others and maybe in many it's maybe. And my guess is kids could get moved up or down the board based on the more one learns about them.

3) Same goes for development. This is always a big thing with me. Some kids are physically men by the time they are 14, others still growing even after high school. Not just size, but coordination, the whole kitchen of pots and pans. How does one see the future with these guys?

4) Level of competition. I know the AAU is out there but still, some of these kids play at smaller schools, or find themselves behind players on an AAU squad and not seeing the opportunity to display their stuff. It seems to me that AAU squads vary but some highlight the top dogs on the team.

5) I'll call this one "dating". A kid could express all kinds of interest. Yeah, in twenty different schools! It has to be tough gauging real interest from a kid just trying to keep options open. And talk about a time waster. Seems like today prospects expect to see a coach or at least an assistant watching them every time they play.

6) The usual problem with handlers and especially if one has spent hour upon hour on a kid and then he "blows up" and suddenly the elite schools are taking notice.

7) Basketball Academies. Some good, some I wonder about. I think some get affiliated with a select group of Universities and breaking in (goes back to the handlers) takes some "extra" circumstances and yes even to the point of cheating. Not just Academies of course.

8) Rankings themselves. Seems like an athletic scorer gets a great ranking. But the game itself is played with five guys and one ball. I suspect coaches as opposed to recruiting services are often looking at how a player fits. And that is a very different thing.

9) Shoe Company Affiliation, seems to be a growing concern.

I'll stop there. But I'm sure this is just a small part of what goes into recruiting. Feel free to add to the list.

I'm just glad that often a player ranked rather low can develop and surprise. It's been one key to success for McCaffery's teams at Iowa. The day will come more "noticed" players wear the Black and Gold. In the meantime, these guy we've got have been doing a pretty good job of winning games. They might not come with a designer label, but more often than not they seem to fit pretty well.

Good list. I would add a couple of other factors to recruiting:

10) Recent success of a team and its media attention. Top players usually want to play for a team that can compete for championships, allowing them to be in the limelight.

11) Likelihood of immediate playing time is a concern for some players, although the very top players are generally confident that their talent will get them on the court.

 

[hooper56]

I know that Fran and his staff put a big premium on non basketball character issues. Such things as:

1. Does the player work hard/
2. How does the player interact with his coaches and teammates?
3. What is the player like off the court?
4. How successful was his high school team?
5. Does the player show up on time? Does he listen?
6. Does the player stay out of trouble?
7. How "tough" is the player?

Of course basketball skills are very important, running jumping shooting, defense, etc but I can tell you Fran really wants character guys, first and foremost. I realize every single coach says that but it is bs. Some coaches just want players who can play. You have to understand the Iowa players spend a significant amount of time at Fran's house interacting with his family. He doesn't want a kid on his team he doesn't feel comfortable having in his home around his children.

This is not to say all of Fran's recruits will always be Angels cause they won't. But over the span of time I think you will find that he finds good kids and makes them into finer men.
Win
Graduate
Do it right

 

[hawk-i bob]

I know that Fran and his staff put a big premium on non basketball character issues. Such things as:

1. Does the player work hard/
2. How does the player interact with his coaches and teammates?
3. What is the player like off the court?
4. How successful was his high school team?
5. Does the player show up on time? Does he listen?
6. Does the player stay out of trouble?
7. How "tough" is the player?

Of course basketball skills are very important, running jumping shooting, defense, etc but I can tell you Fran really wants character guys, first and foremost. I realize every single coach says that but it is bs. Some coaches just want players who can play. You have to understand the Iowa players spend a significant amount of time at Fran's house interacting with his family. He doesn't want a kid on his team he doesn't feel comfortable having in his home around his children.

This is not to say all of Fran's recruits will always be Angels cause they won't. But over the span of time I think you will find that he finds good kids and makes them into finer men.
Win
Graduate
Do it right

no question .. with Fran more goes into the recruiting process than just how good the player is on the court..
no question .. Fran has passed on some pretty good players because of other issues included in your list Hoop...doesn't mean he doesn't take some chances as he possibly did with Moss...knowing there was some work to be done academically.