On Friday, July 31^st at Loyola College, Hoop Mountain Metro Atlantic Girls, held our Summer 2009 College Showcase. 101 players and coaches from 27 colleges and universities attended. We held it during the D1 evaluation period to give high school participants the opportunity to get in front of and showcase their talents for college coaches at all levels of the game.

All indications are that it was a great success. In spite of the  brief monsoon that snarled traffic and created some delays. we actually finished right on time.

The session started with the recruiting seminar as required by the NCAA. We discussed various aspects of the recruiting experience with special emphasis on the academic component. That was followed by a description of what it takes to get recruited and what the players and families can do to make it happen. We wrapped it up with our 5 tips to positioning yourself as a top recruit.

It was then on to the competition where the 101 players played directly in front of the coaches from 27 colleges and universities.  Everyone played 3 games and individually saw at least 60 minutes of court time over the period of the event. That was more than enough time to make an impression and from the looks on the faces of the players as they left the gym, they did not leave much on the floor.

So now the work really begins for the players and the coaches. First, the coaches need to assess what they saw and determine how players might fit  their programs. Most importantly, now the players need to continue to market themselves and work on those skills necessary to compete at the next level.

Good luck to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you again.

Larry Wilner

Director, Hoop Mountian Metro-Atlantic Girls