Social media has every parent thinking their kid is going Division 1.
But, how hard is it to play D1?
Let me fill you in on the hot tip.
PROBABLY NOT. Yes your chances of playing at the highest level of college athletics are slim.
Like I’ve said before Facts > Feelings. I will always keep it real with you.
Making it to the Division 1 level is really fucking hard.
Actually playing at that D1 level is even harder.
The Stats
Here’s the breakdown according to the NCAA’s website.
Keep in mind these stats don’t even include the millions of international athletes that would sell all their belongings to come play in the states.
On top of that, these numbers don’t include the vast amount of transfers that are trying to make a D1 roster.
What separates you?
Like seriously?
You have to be elite.
I barely made it D1
Having played basketball I know that journey the best so I’ll use that as my example here.
I averaged 20 points a game my junior and senior year in high school.
As a senior, I led my team to the state championship and was named first-team all state.
Alongside me on that list were two other Division 1 players and a Division 2 player.
The fifth player, Lonnie Walker, beat us in the state championship and was the 18th overall pick in the NBA draft.
(I’m still pissed we lost that state championship game to Lonnie and his team at Reading, because we shouldn’t have. I’ll save that story for another time)
Despite all that success on the court, solid 3.4 GPA, good AAU tournament showings, and prominent people in my corner – I only earned a few Division 1 offers (none of which fit me).
So I decided to go the prep route and do a post-grad year. But thanks to a player quitting in the summer, Boston University moved up my scholarship a year and offered me.
The dream of making it to the Division 1 level became a reality.
(Related: My College Recruiting Story: From 5’1 to D1)
Here’s a list of all my offers on Verbal Commits if you’re interested.
So How Can You Make It Happen
The good news is if I did it, so can you.
But it comes at a cost. Sacrifices will need to be made.
Making the decision is a great first step.
If you struggle with motivation and grinding, you might as well quit today.
It’s not for you.
Getting to the Division 1 level is just the first step and it’s easy compared to the grind that college athletics will present.
Trust the Process
Like anything, there is a formula you can follow to increase your chances.
Keep in mind though that the recruiting process can feel rigged as shit sometimes.
I’ll write about this another time, but for now don’t worry about.
Here’s the formula broken down very broadly:
- Work on your game daily
- Dominate high school and play on a travel team
- Go to exposure events where coaches are scouting
- Send film to coaches by email, phone, & social media
- Get good grades and test scores
- Build relationships with coaches and go on visits
- Create a pros and cons list of opportunities
- Make your decision
Unless you’re a top 100 player a lot of this will fall on your shoulders. Exposure will need to come from YOU.
Nobody is going to do it for you. It’s predator vs. prey out there.
Your teammate, best friend, family friend, etc would gladly “steal” your offer. You need to be on your game 100% of the time.
You need to create a system and a schedule to get closer to your goal each day.
The Journey to D1
You’ll learn how to overcome adversity, go after what you want, and put in the sweat, blood, and tears to make it happen. It will also help in the transition from HS to college.
It’s a fucking beast.
The daily grind will include:
- individual workout
- school
- weight training
- practice
- reaching out to coaches
- keeping in contact with current coaches
- taking care of your body (eating, sleeping, recovery, rehab)
- studying
That party on Friday night might need to be sacrificed for the bigger goal.
It WILL be exhausting. But that’s what you want right?
The good news is YOU CAN DO IT!
Parents: I challenge you to explore all options and not be ignorant to the immense amount of talent that is out there.
There are some damn good players out there. Just cause your kid had one good game doesn’t mean shit.
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