High School Recruiting
The path to a basketball scholarship begins when a player is recruited in high school by a college or university. Coaches begin contacting prospective recruits in the sophomore or junior year of high school and continue to scout them through their junior basketball season. For the top players in the country, a formal scholarship offer comes after junior year, and players are asked to verbally commit to the school.
Each Division I school gets 13 scholarships per season so as recruits sign elsewhere, coaches will offer the remaining scholarships to other recruits leading up to the national signing day, which is usually in February for the incoming freshman class and when recruits sign letters their letters of intent with a college or university.
What a Scholarship Covers
What can be covered by a basketball scholarship is limited by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which governs all major college athletics. Generally a basketball scholarship will pay for all classes needed to complete the student's course of study as well as room and board. Other expenses, such as books and lab fees, can also be covered by a scholarship, but those are determined by the college or university.
When the student athlete chooses to live off campus, he can receive the value of room and board in a cash payment. This is permitted by the NCAA, and the actual expenses of living off campus may be less than the amount the scholarship covers for room and board.
Requirements of a Scholarship
Exact terms of the scholarship vary from university to university and player to player, but generally speaking the student athlete must adhere to all terms set forth by the school and athletic department. This usually includes remaining in good academic standing, attending all classes and maintaining a minimum grade point average. The player must also follow all team rules, attend practices and study sessions and remain in good standing with the coach. There are also personal conduct standards that must be followed.
A scholarship is a legal, binding contract between the university and player. If the player violates any of the rules and conditions, her scholarship can be terminated by the school. Conversely, the school cannot terminate a player's scholarship for poor on-court performance.
Tags: basketball scholarship, college university, room board, junior year, player player, recruits sign, student athlete