Recruiting Resources

Before you hit send

• Fill out the school's online recruiting questionnaire before you email — coaches check it.
• Email the head coach AND the assistants listed on the school's card. Assistants often handle your position or region.
• Put your grad year, position, height and hometown in the subject line.
• Send one film link that opens without a login. First 5 clips should be your best.
• Keep the email under 200 words. No attachments.
• Use each coach's real name and one specific detail about the program.
• Follow up once after 10-14 days, then after each season update.
• Track every message in your private tracker so you never double-send or forget a reply.
• Never send the same email to two schools without changing the school name — coaches notice.

Email & call templates

Subject: [GRAD YEAR] [POSITION] | Ravenswood HS | Interested in [SCHOOL] Basketball

Dear Coach [LAST NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a [HEIGHT] [POSITION] in the class of [GRAD YEAR] at Ravenswood High School.

I am reaching out because I am very interested in [SCHOOL] and would love to learn more about you and your program. What steps should I take to begin the recruiting process with your program?

Quick profile:
- GPA: [GPA] / Test scores: [SCORES if you have them]
- Season averages: [PTS] pts, [REB] reb, [AST] ast, [STL] stl
- Highlight film: [LINK]
- Full game film: [LINK]
- Club/AAU: [PROGRAM], coach [NAME], [PHONE]
- High school coach: [NAME], [PHONE], [EMAIL]

I filled out your recruiting questionnaire today. Could you tell me what you look for at my position and whether you have camps or open gyms I could attend?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Subject: Following up — [YOUR NAME], [GRAD YEAR] [POSITION], Ravenswood HS

Coach [LAST NAME],

I emailed a couple weeks ago and wanted to follow up in case my note got buried.

Since then: [NEW STAT LINE, AWARD, TEST SCORE, OR NEW FILM].
Updated film: [LINK]

I am still very interested in [SCHOOL] and would appreciate any feedback on where I stand or what you would like to see from me.

Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Subject: Season update + new film — [YOUR NAME], [GRAD YEAR], Ravenswood HS

Coach [LAST NAME],

Quick update from my season at Ravenswood:
- Record: [TEAM RECORD]
- My averages: [PTS] pts, [REB] reb, [AST] ast on [FG%] FG / [3P%] from three
- Recent game: [BEST GAME LINE] vs [OPPONENT]
- New GPA: [GPA]

New film: [LINK]

Our remaining schedule is below in case you or a staff member can get out to a game:
[DATE — OPPONENT — TIME — LOCATION]
[DATE — OPPONENT — TIME — LOCATION]

Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Subject: Unofficial visit request — [YOUR NAME], [GRAD YEAR]

Coach [LAST NAME],

Thank you for the reply. [SCHOOL] is [DRIVE TIME] from Ravenswood, so my family can drive up on a school break or a weekend.

Would [DATE OPTION 1] or [DATE OPTION 2] work for an unofficial visit? I would like to see a practice if possible, tour campus, and hear about [ACADEMIC PROGRAM].

We can also sit in on an admissions session the same day if that is easier for your staff.

Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Subject: Camp / open gym dates — [YOUR NAME], [GRAD YEAR] [POSITION]

Coach [LAST NAME],

I am a [GRAD YEAR] [POSITION] at Ravenswood High School and I would like to work out in front of your staff.

Do you have elite camps, team camps, or prospect open gyms scheduled? If you send the dates and registration link I will get signed up.

Film: [LINK]

Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Subject: Thank you — [YOUR NAME], [DATE] visit

Coach [LAST NAME],

Thank you for the time yesterday. [ONE SPECIFIC THING YOU LIKED — practice intensity, the academic building, how the guards were coached] stood out to me.

I am [HONEST INTEREST LEVEL: very interested / keeping [SCHOOL] high on my list], and my next steps are [SUMMER SCHEDULE / TEST DATE / APPLICATION].

Please let me know what you need from me next.

Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

"Coach [LAST NAME], this is [YOUR NAME], a [GRAD YEAR] [POSITION] at Ravenswood High School in West Virginia — about [DRIVE TIME] from campus.

I emailed you my film on [DATE] and filled out your questionnaire. I'm [HEIGHT], I average [PTS] points and [REB] rebounds, and I carry a [GPA] GPA.

I'm calling to ask two things: what you look for at my position, and whether you have camps or open gyms this summer.

My number is [PHONE] and my email is [EMAIL]. Thank you for your time, Coach."

Subject: [PLAYER NAME] ([GRAD YEAR]) — family follow-up

Coach [LAST NAME],

I am [PARENT NAME], [PLAYER NAME]'s [RELATION]. [HE/SHE/THEY] reached out on [DATE] about your program.

We are local — Ravenswood, WV, roughly [DRIVE TIME] away — so visiting campus is realistic for us.

Two questions from the family side:
1. What does a typical financial-aid or scholarship package look like for a student-athlete at [SCHOOL]?
2. What academic support does the athletic department provide during season?

Thank you for your time,
[PARENT NAME]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]

Recruiting timeline

1. Freshman & sophomore year

   Protect your GPA, start a highlight reel, learn the levels (DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA) and go to local camps.

2. Sophomore summer

   Build the school list, fill out questionnaires, send first introduction emails to nearby programs.

3. Junior year

   Send in-season updates, take the SAT/ACT, take unofficial visits (they are cheap when the school is 1-2 hours away).

4. Junior summer

   Camps and open gyms at your top schools. This is when most DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO offers start.

5. Senior year

   Apply and file the FAFSA early, keep coaches updated, compare aid packages, then decide.