Everyone, please, please, please pay attention. Not caring about your academics is going to cost you in recruiting. Period.
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Most schools who are recruiting Utah players not named BYU and Utah (or D1 schools in general) are experiencing cuts to their athletic departments and so it’s increasing the importance for athletes to be able to fund their education in multiple ways
Your GPA is now really helping or hurting you in recruiting:
If you care to see some of the research about higher education funding across the board at D2, NAIA, and Juco levels - here’s a quick web application I built for you!
I had Gemini help me with the rest of the show notes below:
Episode Show Notes: Why Academics Matter More Than Ever in Recruiting
Host Adam Peek discusses a critical but often overlooked aspect of college basketball recruiting: academics, and why they are becoming increasingly important, especially for athletes who aren’t top-tier national prospects.
Key Topics Discussed:
Shifting Recruiting Landscape (0:27): While NIL dominates headlines, budget cuts in higher education are affecting many college basketball programs below the elite D1 level (Juco, NAIA, D2, D3). Coaches have tighter budgets and fewer athletic scholarship dollars to work with.
The Financial Value of Good Grades (1:15):
Strong academics (high GPA, good test scores) make student-athletes eligible for academic scholarships and grants.
This “non-basketball money” significantly reduces the cost for a coach to bring a player onto the team.
A player needing less athletic aid is easier and more attractive to recruit for budget-conscious programs. Adam shares an anecdote about a coach viewing a player with poor grades as costing the equivalent of two scholarships.
Conversely, poor academics can disqualify players from opportunities, even if they are talented on the court.
Academics as a Differentiator (2:20): For the vast majority (99%) of players, strong academics can create opportunities, potentially giving them an edge over similarly skilled players who are more expensive financially.
Actionable Advice for Student-Athletes (3:10):
Prioritize School Now: Especially for freshmen and sophomores, focusing on grades early is the best investment in future recruitability. Pay attention, do the work, study, get good grades.
Standardized Tests: Take the ACT and SAT, as good scores can help unlock academic money.
Explore WUE: Research the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program, which offers reduced tuition at participating schools in western states for Utah residents. Knowing these costs helps target affordable options.
Apply for Scholarships: Look for and apply for non-athletic scholarships based on academics, community service, etc.
Be Honest with Coaches: Communicate clearly about academic standing and future plans (like serving a mission).
Conclusion (5:10): Don’t let poor academic performance limit your ability to play college basketball. The classroom is a critical piece of the recruiting puzzle, perhaps more now than ever before.
