The Recruitment Ladder

As a former high school girls’ basketball coach and now college recruiter, I've seen the entire player development arc—from freshman tryouts to freshman year in college. One truth remains constant: building a successful program starts with knowing how to recruit and retain the right players.

1. Re-Recruit Your Own Locker Room

Retention is now the most important part of recruitment. With the rise of the transfer portal, even your leading scorer can get poached if she doesn’t feel valued. Before looking at new faces, we focus on the ones already wearing our jersey.

Why it matters:

Our returning players already understand our system, expectations, and team culture. We’ve invested in them—from skill development to leadership mentoring. Chemistry, continuity, and trust don’t happen overnight.

Real World Scenario:

Our junior point guard just finished a season averaging 11 points and 6 assists, running our offense with poise and leadership. She’s getting calls from other programs. If we don’t make it clear she’s a priority, she could hit the portal. Losing her wouldn’t just hurt us statistically—it would mean re-teaching our offense from scratch. That’s why our offseason starts with exit interviews, goal-setting, and building a plan to keep our core intact.

2. The Transfer Portal: Plug-and-Play Experience

Transfers in women’s basketball are often mature, ready to contribute, and bring much-needed experience. Whether it’s a D1 athlete looking for more minutes or a D2 star looking for a new challenge, the portal gives us access to battle-tested players.

What we look for:

When evaluating transfer prospects, we’re focused on immediate impact potential—especially when we have gaps to fill due to graduation. We prioritize players who have already proven themselves against college-level competition, bringing both experience and production. Just as important is their fit within our system and locker room culture; talent alone isn’t enough if the chemistry isn’t right. And as a bonus, we value transfers who bring multiple years of eligibility, giving us more time to develop them and build continuity within our program.

Real World Scenario:

Our starting Stretch 4 graduated, and we needed someone who could rebound and stretch the floor. We brought in a 6’0” transfer from a mid-major, who averaged 9 points and 7 boards. She had two years of eligibility, could shoot the 3, and fit our defensive principles. She filled the gap right away—and brought leadership that helped younger players grow.

3. JUCO: Toughness with a Purpose

Junior college players often bring an edge and level of maturity you don’t always get from freshmen. Many JUCO women’s players are under-recruited out of high school or needed to improve academically—but they've earned their place through grit and growth.

What We Look For:

When evaluating JUCO prospects, we look closely at both mental and physical toughness. These athletes often come from challenging environments and have developed a resilience that translates well to the college level. We want to see consistent production against college-level competition, not just flashes of potential. JUCO players need to be ready to step in and compete right away, filling immediate roles on our roster. Lastly, understanding their eligibility timeline is critical—whether they have one, two, or even three years remaining can impact how we integrate them into our long-term plans.

Real World Scenario:

We needed a lead guard who could pressure the ball defensively and push the pace. We found a JUCO sophomore in Florida who averaged 6 assists and led her league in steals. She wasn’t flashy, but she made winning plays, controlled tempo, and held her teammates accountable. She walked into our program and made us tougher on day one.

4. International Players: Fundamentals and Feel for the Game

Many international women’s players come from strong developmental systems with a focus on team play, spacing, and unselfishness. They're usually fundamentally sound and less focused on highlight culture—which often aligns perfectly with how we want to play.

What we look for:

When recruiting international players, we’re drawn to those with a high basketball IQ and strong passing instincts—traits often developed through years in structured systems like club or national teams. We also value size and versatility, especially when a player can stretch the floor or guard multiple positions. Many international athletes arrive with a well-rounded understanding of team play and fundamentals, but it’s equally important that they can adapt to life in the classroom and socially within a new culture. Their ability to transition both on and off the court plays a major role in their long-term success.

Real World Scenario:

We recruited a 6’2” forward from Spain who played in a club system similar to a pro environment. She could post, pass, and hit the trail three. She wasn’t loud, but she made smart plays and elevated team basketball. It took her one semester to adjust, but by January, she was anchoring our second unit and starting by the conference tournament.

5. Prep and Highly Ranked Prospects

Colleges across the country recognize the value of prep prospects and highly rated players at the state, regional, and national levels, as these athletes often demonstrate advanced skills, strong competitive experience, and the potential to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. In girls and women's basketball, recruiters actively track players who excel in elite prep programs or receive high rankings from scouting services, knowing these athletes are typically well-coached and accustomed to high-pressure environments.

What we look for:

We look for players with a combination of basketball IQ, work ethic, athleticism, and versatility—especially those who can contribute in multiple phases of the game. A strong academic foundation and character are equally important, as they reflect a player's ability to succeed on and off the court.

Real World Scenario:

A 6'0" wing from Florida who dominates at the state level with a consistent midrange game and three-level scoring ability stands out because she not only impacts games statistically but also shows leadership and adaptability against top-tier competition. Such a profile immediately draws attention from D1 programs looking to build around dynamic, positionless talent.

6. High School Prospects: Developmental Investments

In today’s recruiting world, high school players are long-term projects. If we take a high schooler, it means we see trajectory, not just talent. With the portal offering immediate help, we only bet on high schoolers who are willing to work, wait, and grow.

What we look for:

When recruiting high school players, we’re focused on long-term potential. We look for raw tools like size, motor, and flashes of skill that suggest a high ceiling. Coachability and consistency are just as important—we want players who respond well to instruction and bring effort every time they step on the floor. Character references from high school and club coaches, as well as teachers, help us evaluate their work ethic, attitude, and reliability off the court. Most importantly, we’re looking for steady growth over time—whether it’s statistical improvement, physical development, or emotional maturity—as those trends tell us if a player is trending in the right direction.

Real World Scenario:

 We watched a 6’1” post player as a sophomore who didn’t score much but worked hard, rebounded, and sprinted the floor every possession. By senior year, she was 6’3”, had a go-to move, and led her team to the state semifinals. That steady growth and humble work ethic made her a high school recruit we were willing to invest in.

💬 Final Thought

In women’s basketball, culture is everything. Whether it’s a transfer, a JUCO grinder, or a freshman with upside—every player we bring in must align with how we do things. We balance quick-fix needs with long-term vision. And more than anything else, we value trust, toughness, and teachability.

The game is changing—but our foundation stays the same: recruit talent, build chemistry, and grow leaders.