If you are a basketball fan, player, or coach, you’ve often heard about or have watched some of the top high school programs in the country play. Some of these top schools include: Montverde Academy (Florida), IMG Academy (Florida), Sierra Canyon (California), and DeMatha (Maryland) for boys and Mater Dei (California), Duncanville (Texas), Christ the King (New York), and Marshall (Illinois) for girls. Each year, these programs have nationally ranked players who are among the top recruits in the country.
How much of an advantage does playing for a top national high school have in the recruiting process? What is the appeal of playing for a top national high school?
Here are five advantages players who play for top national high schools have in the recruiting process:
Top High Schools Play A National Schedule
The top programs in the program often play a national schedule, and they play games and compete in tournaments across the country. One of the most prominent high school girls basketball tournaments is the Nike Tournament of Champions, which hosts the top high school teams in the country and Canada. Eight Olympians and five #1 WNBA draft picks have played in this tournament.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Hoophall Classic, held at Springfield College over Martin Luther King Day Weekend, is a popular boys showcase.
Stakes can be high as many programs aim to compete in the end-of-season GEICO Nationals Basketball Tournament, where Montverde Academy of Florida has won a tournament record of five national titles. NBA players such as Isaiah Stewart, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid have played in this tournament.
These Teams Have Elite Coaching Staffs
The top programs in the country are mainstays for one primary reason: elite coaching. These coaches have decades of coaching experience, with many winning numerous state and national titles.
Additionally, these elite basketball coaches have a history of producing phenomenal players who have gone on to achieve high accomplishments in the college ranks, NBA, WNBA, and Olympics. With a long and decorated alumni roster list, these elite basketball coaches have proven they know how to prepare players for the next level.
Some of the top high school boys basketball coaches include:
- Kevin Boyle (Montverde Academy, Florida) who has produced over 15 NBA players
- Steve Smith (Oak Hill Academy, Virginia) who has won nine National titles
- Dorothy Gaters (Chicago Marshall, Illinois) won has won 1,153 games & 10 Illinois state titles
- Sue Phillips (Archbishop Mitty, California) who has been named Gatorade, WBCA, and Naismith National Coach of the Year
Coaching Connections At Top College Programs
One of the perks of being one of the top coaches in the country is the connections. These coaches routinely entertain the top college basketball coaches at practices and games; many of these top college coaches have these coaches’ cell phone numbers favorited in their phones in hopes of signing their players. NBA scouts frequent their games to get a glimpse and start profiling potential NBA players.
Additionally, many of these coaches have connections on awards committees such as Gatorade National Player of Year, and influence selections on USA Basketball teams and roster spots for McDonald’s All-American Game. Playing for these top coaches can put you on a path for potential greatness post-high school career.
More Media Attention Than Other Recruits
A benefit of playing for a top high school basketball program is the increased media attention. Teams play games against top competition on national tv networks such as ESPN and CBS Sports.
Companies film highlight clips, workout sessions, to post on websites such as YouTube and Instagram which can attract millions of views. Media members write about teams that attract national headlines, and some programs even have docu-series made about them.
Additionally, these programs usually have top players, many of whom are already celebrities on social media sites, and can have a following in excess of a million. Some players are able to increase their marketing power and potentially earn lucrative endorsement deals as a result of playing for and being associated with these top programs and players.
College-Level Competition In High School
A main attraction of playing for a top national high school program is the intense competition players face on a daily basis. The adage of “Iron sharpens iron” holds true - every day, players are competing against future top college and professional players in practice and workouts.
Some teams might feature numbers of 10 future college players on a given roster. Experiencing this intense competition allows players to get better and grow in their skill-set, which will play dividends in preparation for the next level in their basketball careers.
Undoubtedly, players who attend top national high school programs receive significant advantages, many of which are inherent, in the recruiting process. Regardless of the advantages players receive, players still must be committed to improving and developing their skill-set in order to compete and produce on a daily basis.
