July 28, 2010
Bucket List for Recruits
It’s recruiting season. Not that it isn’t ALWAYS such time in college basketball but the month of July is when player reputations -- positive or negative -- are established and the eyes of recruiters are opened or closed. Evaluations will lead to choices and the eventual outcomes have high school senior student-athletes packing up and heading off to college sometime next summer.
Brian Stafford, University of Denver
With all this in mind, we decided to talk with four former Bay Area prep basketballers, all Lakeshow alumni, who are now playing in college, at levels from the PAC-10 to NAIA. What are their respective takes on recruiting and choosing a college and their decisions?
Brian Stafford, out of Las Lomas High, is a 6-foot-4 junior-to-be at Denver University, a member of the Sunbelt Conference. He has started every game for the Pioneers since joining the program. In his 2009-2010 sophomore season, Stafford finished fifth in conference play in three-point field goals made (2.1), eighth in shooting treys (39%), 10th at the foul line (78%) and 19th in scoring (12.4). His academics equaled his court play as he was named to the Sunbelt Commissioner’s List, an honor bestowed after earning a 3.5 grade point average or higher.
Stanford forward Jack Trotter, left
About the recruiting process itself, Stafford offered,"I didn’t really know what to expect." It’s his personal experience that performance during club team basketball overrides that of the high school season. "In one tournament in Las Vegas, I played well in seven or eight games and got a lot more looks because of that." Stafford also confirms that players do notice who is in the stands during games. "All the coaches sit on one side of the gym and wear clothing from their school."
Regarding his choice to go with Denver, Stafford calls it "the perfect situation. I’m really happy where I decided to go. It’s a good fit academically. At first, I wanted to go in-state but changed my mind. I like my teammates, I play a lot, starting every game since I’ve been here."
Sonoma State’s Steven Pratt measures out as 6-foot-4 and he’s a junior-to-be. A graduate of Foothill High, Pratt redshirted his initial season (2007-2008) and has owned the court since then. This past season, his 14.4 points per game led the Cossacks and his rebounding numbers (4.2) ranked second. Pratt shot 51% from the floor and turned in a 93-53 assist-to-turnover ratio. His play this past season culminated in selection as a first-team All California Collegiate Athletic Association member.
Pratt cherishes his club basketball team time. "I never thought I would be exposed to as many coaches as we did," he explained. "It was great exposure to play in front of a crowd full of coaches."
He chose to remain local. "It was the overall best fit for me," Pratt explained, adding "I liked the location, the good academics and the basketball program." Sonoma State is less than an hour and a half from Pratt’s home in Pleasanton.
"My freshman year I wanted to play," Pratt said. "I was coming from one of the better high school programs, having played, started and done well my whole life." But that wasn’t what happened -- he redshirted his first season. "The coaches said they knew best," Pratt recalls. "It was a period of time he describes as frustrating and a humbling experience."
Today, Pratt calls his year of sitting and watching as "the best decision ever made."
Finally getting on the floor, "I led all the freshmen in the league in scoring." In his second season of play, he nabbed that first-team honor.
"I’m happy I have two years left to play," Pratt said.
His advice to those entering or involved in the recruiting process: "Weigh your options, don’t sign too early and check out what is the best fit for you."
Joey Fuca is soon to enter his senior year at NAIA member, The Master’s College (Golden State Athletic Conference) in Santa Clarita. A 5-foot-11 graduate of San Ramon Valley High, he gained a starting spot at the point midway through his freshman year. This past season, he earned All-GSAC Team honors based on his 14 points per game, 46% overall shooting, 45% from long range and 82% accuracy at the foul line. The latter came in a team-leading 134 attempts.
Fuca "wanted to play." That was his foremost basketball desire.
He added, "I’m a guy without the greatest athletic ability. Some guys choose to walk-on at the D-1 level, hoping to get a scholarship afterwards.and maybe get on the court. That’s great, but now I’m getting my school paid for and I’m hooping." His 900 minutes of court time was second on the team this season.
He was there at the formation of the Lakeshow program -- "me and my buddies wanted to play -- it started out as fun and then became more competitive. There was a great comraderie with the team -- it was a blast. "
As for recruiting, Fuca said, "kids try and find the perfect fit and sometimes get blinded. You can work into that fit. It takes perseverance. Kids get discouraged but I tell younger guys to be a hard worker and develop into a leader."
6-foot-9 former Campollndo High star Jack Trotter has undertaken one of the most interesting journeys. Choosing to walk on at Stanford as a freshman over offers from UC Davis and others, he earned a basketball scholarship entering his sophomore season in 2009-2010. What did he accomplish? Trotter started every game, averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds a contest, shot 49.7 percent from the floor and committed but 22 turnovers in 811 minutes of play.
Trotter has specific recruiting advice, along the lines of using the process as a growth mechanism. "Definitely get into it, don’t shuffle off the responsibilities by letting your parents handle it," he said.
Continuing, he explained a certain heritage, "My mom, grandparents, aunt and uncle went to Stanford and my dad graduated from law school here. I could have gone elsewhere but I was always holding out for Stanford."
That laser-like focus clearly paid off financially in his sophomore go-around.
About his choice, Trotter said "I have absolutely no regrets. It was a bit overwhelming at first because I didn’t get to attend summer school [due to being a freshman walk-on] but I plunged in come the fall and it’s worked out great."
In summary: Explore. Ask the pertinent questions. Perform the due diligence. Talk with anyone who can help. What is more important -- the academics or the court time or both? What works for you short and long range? Is there a values match? Work hard and understand you are not necessarily always right. Do your best.