How to play women's basketball

How to Get Recruited for Women’s College Basketball

Many student-athletes dream of playing college basketball and may already even have a few colleges in mind. But families are often unsure of how to get recruited by college coaches. To be successful, student-athletes need to research their best college fit and actively market themselves to coaches by creating an online profile and highlight video that showcases their athletic ability and leadership qualities. This section will answer the most common questions families have on how to get recruited for college basketball.

Quick Links

The recruiting process for women’s basketball

How to get recruited to play women’s college basketball

Women’s basketball recruiting timeline

How do college basketball scouts evaluate recruits?

What are the chances of playing women’s basketball in college?

Should I play club basketball? Will it help me get recruited?

Information on how AAU basketball works and how to join an AAU basketball team

Do you have to play basketball in high school to play college basketball?

Does height matter in women’s basketball recruiting?

Finding and attending the right girls basketball camps

Create an impressive basketball highlight video

Research schools and create a favorites list

Contact college basketball coaches

The important role of your high school coach

The recruiting process for women’s basketball

Successful basketball recruits are proactive. They build a list of schools they can realistically get admitted to, create an NCSA Recruiting Profile and highlight film, contact college coaches and compete in front of coaches at tournaments and camps. From a coach’s perspective, here’s a quick overview of how they find student-athletes:

1. Identify potential recruits. At any point in high school, coaches can send general materials, such as recruiting questionnaires, to student-athletes. They usually cast a wide net and send them to several freshmen and sophomores to gauge their interest in the program. Respond promptly to these materials.
2. Second, in-depth evaluations. At this point, coaches focus on ranking their prospects and narrowing down their list. This is the stage where most families think the recruiting process begins. However, athletes who made it this far already passed an initial evaluation and shown some interest in the school. Tournaments, camps and highlight film are the most common ways coaches evaluate basketball prospects.
3. Verbal offers and visits. After coaches have their list of ranked prospects, they extend offers and lock down verbal commitments. At this time, recruits will take unofficial and official visits during their junior and senior years. 

How to get recruited to play women’s college basketball 

Recruiting isn’t a linear, clear-cut process. You could be nearing the end of your recruiting journey with one coach while simultaneously just beginning it with another. But knowing what steps you can take to create a communication strategy and market yourself will help you secure a scholarship offer.

1. Research and build a target list. Student-athletes should research the different division levels and visit a team’s roster to find their true athletic and academic fit. 
2. Play at the highest level possible: To accurately assess a recruit’s ability to compete in college, coaches want to see them play against top-tier athletes. Typically, AAU and varsity teams accomplish this.
3. Compete in the summer during live periods: These stretches in the offseason allow college basketball scouts and coaches to hit the road and scout several players at once. Remember to reach out to coaches before you attend a tournament or camp.
4. Excel academically. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility and amateur status for all NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 athletes. Understand the requirements to stay on track.
5. Create a highlight film. The best way to secure an in-depth and in-person evaluation is by sending coaches a highlight video and a full game film. It’s a quick way to show them a snapshot of your skill set.  
6. Be proactive. Start by sending an introductory email that includes your online profile, highlight video, academic information, outstanding athletic achievements and personal interest in the program. Then follow up with a phone call.

Women’s basketball recruiting timeline

Here is a general guideline student-athletes can follow to ensure their recruiting is on track.

Freshman year

• Fill out questionnaires online and respond to coach materials. College coaches can send recruits general materials, such as questionnaires, camp information, non-athletic information about the school and materials published by the NCAA.
• Meet with your guidance counselor and set academic goals for the year to keep your academic eligibility on track.
• Research colleges from all division levels.
• Create an online profile and if you have varsity or high-level competitive film, post your highlight video.
• Recruits can call NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 coaches or athletics staff at any time and talk to them on the phone. As long as the recruit initiated contact—and not the coach—they can talk.
• Recruits can take unofficial visits at any time during high school.

Sophomore year

• Post highlight video to your NCSA Recruiting Profile, if you haven’t already.
• Check that your sophomore year classes meet NCAA academic eligibility standards and register for the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Send introductory emails to college coaches at your target colleges, if you haven’t already. And follow up with a phone call.
• NCAA Division 2: Student-athletes can receive personal contact and recruiting materials starting June 15 after their sophomore year. Coaches can call athletes, send text messages, direct messages and emails, as well as make verbal offers.
• NCAA Division 3: Off-campus contact is allowed after sophomore year.

Junior year

• Take the ACT or SAT and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Upload your transcript to the Eligibility Center as well.
• Update your highlight video.
• NCAA Division 1: Student-athletes can receive personal contact and recruiting materials starting September 1. Coaches can call athletes, send text messages, direct messages and emails, as well as make verbal offers.
• NCAA Division 1: Off-campus contact is allowed beginning March 1.
• NCAA Division 1: Official Visits are allowed starting the Thursday after the NCAA women’s basketball championship (April).
• NCAA Division 3: Official visits allowed starting Jan. 1 of junior year.
• At this point, offers roll in for Division 1 prospects and D1 rosters are finalized by the end of junior year. Division 2, 3 and NAIA coaches begin making offers as well.
• If you’re not getting interest from coaches at the schools you’ve been contacting, take a fresh look at your college list and find new opportunities.

Senior year

• Update your highlight video.
• Nov. 10-17: Early signing period for NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 schools begins.
• Nov. 1: NJCAA Signing Date.
• Apply for the FAFSA on Oct. 1.
• Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.
• Request final amateurism certification beginning April 1 in NCAA Eligibility Center account.
• April 13 – May 18: Regular signing period occurs for Division 1 and Division 2.
• Division 3 and NAIA teams are finalizing their rosters during senior year. JUCO programs are also recruiting student-athletes at this time. Consider these schools if you haven’t secured a roster spot yet. 

How do college basketball scouts evaluate recruits?

College coaches consider few factors when determining an athlete’s ability: 

• Physical characteristics. Height and body frame, athleticism and strength are important characteristics coaches look at.
• Technical skills. Coaches want to recruit student-athletes who have mastered the fundamentals.
• Basketball IQ. Scouts determine the athlete’s game awareness and their ability to make the right decisions in the moment.  
• Academics. Student-athletes with a solid GPA and test scores are more likely going to be admitted into the university and have an easier college transition. Plus, strong academics also tells coaches that the recruit is responsible and disciplined—traits they highly value. 

Of course, what coaches look for in a recruit also depends on their program’s specific needs. The best way to determine that is to establish a relationship with the coach and speak to them directly. Another quick way is to visit the team’s website and analyze their roster.

What are the chances of playing women’s basketball in college?

There are 412,407 high school women’s basketball players. Of that number, 17,089—or 4%—go on to compete in the NCAA and less than 1% move on to the NAIA. When you break it down even further, 1.2% compete in NCAA Division 1 where there are 346 teams; 1.2% compete at the NCAA Division 2 level, which has 311 programs, and 1.6% compete at NCAA Division 3 with 442 teams. There are 291 JUCO programs rostering 4,910 basketball players.  

Should I play club basketball? Will it help me get recruited? 

AAU, which stands for the Amateur Athletic Union, can be a valuable tool in gaining exposure to college coaches. It provides a platform for recruits to compete against top tier athletes in tournaments across the country. For NCAA Division 1 prospects specifically, AAU has become somewhat of a standard for getting noticed by college coaches. AAU shouldn’t be viewed as a requirement to obtain a college basketball scholarship outside of NCAA Division 1. Several prospects have skipped the AUU circuit and moved on to successful college and professional careers. 

Information on how AAU basketball works and how to join an AAU basketball team 

AAU is a youth sports organization that stands for the Amateur Athletic Union. Athletes form independent teams, which are assigned based on geography, and compete in AAU tournaments. To find out which district you belong to and which team is best for you, visit the AAU website.

Many athletes value AAU as it provides an opportunity to compete against top-level talent that you typically wouldn’t find playing locally. There are various levels of competition within AAU, and as players develop and get better, they’ll switch to a more competitive team. As a result, many AAU tournaments, especially NCAA-certified tournaments, often attract scouts, giving athletes a chance to play in front of college coaches. However, participating in these events can be costly. The AAU membership fee is $14 per year, but families can end up paying $400 to $4,000 dollars per year depending on how many tournaments they attend. Many programs, however, offer financial assistance to help lower the high price tag associated with AAU.

To get a membership or start a club, you can visit AAU’s website.  

Do you have to play basketball in high school to play college basketball?

Yes, typically college basketball players competed in a high school basketball program. But more importantly, recruits who are successful in their recruiting journey are proactive. They research schools and build a realistic list of colleges they want to attend. Then, they create an NCSA Recruiting Profile and highlight video and send it to coaches in an introductory email where they explain their personal interest in the program. They also actively call coaches to get on their radar and continuously follow up with them as they have updates in their recruiting, such as new test scores. Finally, they compete in tournaments and events where coaches are attending and partake in unofficial and official visits to help them narrow down their list of potential colleges. 

Does height matter in women’s basketball recruiting? 

While physical characteristics, like height, matter to college coaches, they aren’t the only consideration. The average height of women’s college basketball players changes slightly from division to division. 

See the full list of recruiting guidelines for women’s basketball players.

Keep in mind that this should be used as a helpful guideline and not something set in stone. Players who don’t fall within these ranges are recruited every year by college coaches. The best way to understand a coach’s recruiting needs is to establish a relationship with them early on and analyze their current team roster.

Finding and attending the right girls basketball camps to get noticed by college coaches 

Basketball camps are a perfect opportunity for athletes to develop their skills and play in front of college coaches. Here are the different types of camps:

• College basketball camps: Run by the college’s basketball program with a chance to receive a high-level of teaching directly from coaches. It also is a great way to get a sample of campus life at the school where the camp is located.
• Basketball exposure camps: Help players develop exposure and get a player ranking. Although they are not tied to a specific university, many basketball exposure camps have amazing track records and cite alumni who have gone on to top college programs. Many of these camps are invitation-only, so the talent level is high.
• Elite basketball camps. These are typically invitation-only events that bring together the top recruits from each graduate class to compete against each other at a national level. They’re run by college coaches on the school’s campus, so they’re a great way for athletes to get exposure to coaches.  

Keep in mind that most coaches attend events with a list of players they want to see. If you want to get recruited at a camp or showcase, you need to reach out to college coaches ahead of time. Email your NCSA Recruiting Profile, including your highlight video, and follow up with a phone call.

Learn more about basketball camps and search for the best camps.

Create an impressive basketball highlight video

Creating a basketball highlight video is the best way to get on a coach’s radar and earn a second in-person evaluation. Follow these straightforward tips to put together a video that truly stands out:

1. Choose games against your best competition, such as varsity level, high-level AAU games or any nationwide tournaments. Typically, footage from one or two games is enough.
2. Focus the camera from mid-court while making sure the student-athlete is easily recognizable.
3. Use a tripod to avoid a shaky camera.
4. Don’t zoom in and out.
5. Make sure the person filming the match isn’t cheering. If there is excessive and distracting background noise, mute the video completely. Don’t add music to the video either.
6. Put a title card at the front of your basketball highlight video that includes your name and graduation year, such as “Jane Doe Basketball Recruiting Video Class of 2021.”
7. Stack your best clips first. Some coaches don’t watch past the first minute so you should frontload your video with your greatest strengths. 
8. Know what coaches are looking for in your position. Post players should showcase their shooting ability, quickness, ability to finish at the rim, rebounding, shot-blocking, footwork and overall basketball awareness. Perimeter players should focus on scoring ability, quickness, ability to penetrate and finish at the rim, athleticism and basketball awareness, and court vision.  
9. Cap your video with your best 20 to 30 clips and keep it under four minutes.
10. Send college coaches your highlight video, as well as one unedited full game video. If they’re interested in a recruit after watching their highlight film, they will want to evaluate the full game next. 

See the complete list of tips on creating a basketball highlight video.

Research schools and create a favorites list

The very first step in the recruiting journey is often the most overlooked: research. Here are the most important factors to keep in mind as families search for colleges: 

• Academics: Visit the school’s website to see the average grades and test scores. Plus, consider which majors are offered and remember to ask the coach which majors are popular among athletes on the team.
• Athletics: Student-athletes can use their high school or club coach to help them assess where they can make an impact, or they can visit a team’s roster and analyze the athletes’ key stats.
• Cost: How much can your family afford and how much aid is the student-athlete eligible to receive at each school?
• Personal preferences: Think about housing options, school size, social aspects, distance from home, and even the weather. Remember—there is more to a college experience than athletics. 

As families start to find programs they’re interested in, we recommend sorting them into three categories: target schools, dream schools and safety schools. Most of the schools on a student-athlete’s list should fall into the target category. 

See the complete list of women’s basketball colleges. 

How to contact college basketball coaches 

Once a recruit has done the research and built a realistic target list of colleges, they’re ready to contact coaches. Here are the steps to take when contacting basketball coaches:  

1. Send an introductory email: An introductory email serves two purposes—to get an initial evaluation and establish a relationship with the coach. Make sure this email includes highlight video, academic information, contact information and key stats. Student-athletes should also personalize their email and explain their interest in that specific program. Never copy and paste—it’s guaranteed to get skipped over.
2. Tailor the subject line: Avoid generic subject lines, such as “Top basketball recruit,” and tailor the subject line to the school instead. For example, a recruit might want to include their GPA and test score in the subject line for high academic colleges, while highlighting key stats or awards to NCAA Division 1 schools.
3. Call coaches. Basketball coaches are allowed to talk to athletes on the phone when the recruits are the ones initiating contact. In other words, if a recruit calls an NCAA Division 1 coach, the coach is allowed to talk to them.
4. Follow up. Whenever there is a noteworthy update to share, like a new ACT or SAT score or athletic achievement, email the college coach again to touch base. Because if they missed the first email (and coaches tend to be pretty busy), following up can help keep you top of mind.

See the full list of tips on contacting coaches.   

The important role of your high school coach in the recruiting process 

High school and club coaches are there to support student-athletes along their recruiting journey. Here’s how: 

• Find the right college fit: Use their expertise and insight to create a college list of realistic programs. Plus, they probably have connections in the college network.
• Connect with college coaches: There’s a loophole in the NCAA basketball recruiting rules that allow student-athletes and college coaches to talk on the phone. If a student-athlete initiates the contact and calls the college coach, the coach is allowed to answer the phone and talk to the recruit. High school coaches can help facilitate this contact by acting as a liaison.
• Character reference: Women’s basketball coaches want to learn as much as they can about their top recruits, including their leadership qualities, attitude and talent. So, they call the recruit’s high school or club coach to get a better understanding of the athlete’s mental toughness, work ethic and behavior both on and off the court. 
• Video help: Don’t hesitate to ask your coach for help when creating a highlight film. Plus, they probably have full game footage already available. 

Insider tip: Despite the impact that coronavirus had on college sports, as of June 1, 2021, the NCAA resumed its regular recruiting rules and activity! Coaches are actively working to fill their rosters, so student-athletes should be proactive in reaching out to coaches. Read up on how the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes who were most affected by the pandemic in 2020 will impact future recruiting classes.

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Women’s NCAA Basketball Recruiting Guidelines

What skills are needed to play basketball in college? And how can you get college coaches to notice you? Whether an athlete is a perimeter player or post player, this section lays out the different requirements needed to compete at the college level, from NCAA Division 1 to JUCO programs. Knowing your best athletic fit is key to creating a realistic list of target schools.

Quick Links

What do women’s college basketball coaches look for in recruits?

What skills are needed to get on a women’s college basketball team?

Average women’s basketball player height by position and level

Women’s basketball point guard recruiting guidelines

Women’s basketball power forward recruiting guidelines

Women’s basketball center recruiting guidelines

Women’s basketball shooting guard recruiting guidelines

Women’s basketball small forward recruiting guidelines

How to get ranked in women’s college basketball

What do women’s college basketball coaches look for in recruits?

When determining a recruit’s athletic ability, college coaches consider a variety of factors. Most notably:

• Height and frame: Physical characteristics, like height and body frame, athleticism and strength can be a driving factor for some coaches.
• Technical ability. Coaches don’t want to bring on athletes who need to be taught the fundamentals—technical ability is essential. Can the recruit protect the ball, or shoot with the right footwork and release point?
• Basketball IQ. Basketball IQ means having situational awareness of the game and the ability to make the right decisions in real-time. For example, if the clock is winding down and the game is tied, does the player know to hold onto the ball until the last shot, instead of forcing a shot early? This is where position-specific skills come into play as well. Can perimeter players successfully drive the game and control the pace? Do post players read the right defensive rotations? It also means being aware of how many time outs and fouls both teams have throughout the game.
• Academics. Lastly, there are aspects outside of athletics that can truly set recruits apart. Academics, especially at the Division 3 level, are extremely important to college coaches. High grades and test scores speak to an athlete’s discipline, leadership ability and even time management skills. 

Of course, what coaches look for also depends on their program’s specific needs. Some schools might invest more in developing a tall, athletic post player, while others value a smaller player who has raw talent, polished skills, and strong instincts. In many cases, college coaches will turn to JUCO teams to find transfers who are stronger and more developed compared to high school student-athletes.  

Establishing relationships with college coaches is the best way to fully understand their recruiting needs. But another quick way is to visit a team’s roster. Look at which athletes are graduating and study the team’s athletic history to see which positions coaches are recruiting and what key stats they look for. 

What skills are needed to get on a women’s college basketball team?

When compiling their lists of top recruits, college coaches evaluate three factors: physical ability, fundamentals and basketball IQ. They seek out players who are conditioned, technically sound, can read the game and have strong instincts. They also want to coach athletes who have the potential to improve. That’s why playing nationally and against other high-level recruits is a popular way to gain exposure. Here is a quick overview of the type of players each division recruits:

D1 women’s basketball skills: These recruits are ranked nationally and are included in top lists, such as ESPN’S HoopGurlz Top 60. They have elite ball handling and defensive skills and are the best player on their high school and club team. They are the top recruits across the country. They’re awarded top accolades, including All-State honors, start on varsity all four years, and compete nationally through their AAU team. These coaches typically make verbal offers to prospects before their junior year. 

D2 women’s basketball skills: These players have mastered the fundamentals and are considered one of the top players on their high school and club team. They have control on the court and will continue to develop under a collegiate training program. They’ve received awards like All-Region, All-District, and All-Conference and play on a highly-competitive AAU team. Top NCAA Division 2 programs make verbal offers to these athletes at the beginning of their junior year and continue to make offers into senior year as well.

D3 women’s basketball skills: These players have some club and varsity experience, earning them accolades such as All-Area and All-Conference. They have the fundamentals nailed down and may need to continue to work on other parts of their game, whether it’s rebounding or defense. A bulk of these recruits will receive offers after the summer of their junior year and into senior year.

NAIA women’s basketball skills: Top basketball recruits look similar to Division 2 athletes, while other NAIA programs better reflect Division 3 competition. These prospects have varsity experience, played with a high-level club and earned awards, such as All-Area and All-Conference. They’ll continue to get stronger and improve their technical ability under a collegiate training program. Coaches typically make offers during junior year and into senior year as well.

JUCO women’s basketball skills: JUCO basketball prospects aim to fine-tune their skills before transferring to a four-year institution. They are utility players who benefit from competing in a post-high-school setting. This level is a great opportunity for athletes to focus on core fundamentals before going on to play at the highest level. 

Average women’s basketball player height by position and level

Average women’s basketball player height

Average women’s basketball player height by position

• Average point guard height: 5’6”
• Average shooting guard height: 5’8”
• Average small forward height: 5’9”
• Average power forward height: 5’10”
• Average center height: 6’0”

In NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball, the average basketball player height is 5’6”.

Women’s basketball point guard recruiting guidelines 

Top D1 and top JC 

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Plays at the highest level in AAU, competing two years at the elite national level, such as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League or adidas Gauntlet. Ranks nationally on lists such as ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60. High profile player who is usually recruited through AAU as an underclassman.
• High school experience: Varsity starter all four years of high school. Earned several top accolades, such as All-State, All-Region, and All-Area honors. Best player on the team.

Low D1, top D2 and top NAIA

• Height: 5’6”+
• Club experience: Three to four years of AAU experience, playing on high-level teams that compete nationally. Three years of summer club experience, gaining coach exposure at tournaments.
• High school experience: Three to four years as a varsity starter, earning awards such as All-State, All-Conference and All-Region. One of the top athletes on the team.  

Low D3 and low NAIA 

• Height: 5’5”+
• Club experience: Two years of summer club experience, competing locally and state-wide.
• High school experience: Varsity starter as an upperclassman, possibly earning some accolades such as All-Area, All-District or All-Conference. 

Low D3 and low JC 

• Height: 5’5”+
• Club experience: Some AAU experience playing locally, although it is not necessary.
• High school experience: One to two years of varsity experience.

Women’s basketball power forward recruiting guidelines 

Top D1 and top JC

• Height: 6’0”+
• Club experience: Plays at the highest level in AAU, competing two years at the elite national level, such as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League or adidas Gauntlet. Ranks nationally on lists such as ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60. High profile player who is usually recruited through AAU as an underclassman.
• High school experience: Varsity starter all four years of high school. Earned several top accolades, such as All-State, All-Region, and All-Area honors. Best player on the team.

Low D1, top D2 and top NAIA

• Height: 5’11”+
• Club experience: Three to four years of AAU experience, playing on high-level teams that compete nationally. Three years of summer club experience, gaining coach exposure at tournaments.
• High school experience: Three to four years as a varsity starter, earning awards such as All-State, All-Conference and All-Region. One of the top athletes on the team.  

Low D3 and low NAIA 

• Height: 5’9”+
• Club experience: Two years of summer club experience, competing locally and state-wide.
• High school experience: Varsity starter as an upperclassman, possibly earning some accolades such as All-Area/All-District, or All-Conference.  

Low D3 and low JC 

• Height: 5’9”+
• Club experience: Some AAU experience playing locally, although it is not necessary.
• High school experience: One to two years of varsity experience. 

Women’s basketball center recruiting guidelines

Top D1 and top JC 

• Height: 6’2”+
• Club experience: Plays at the highest level in AAU, competing two years at the elite national level, such as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League or adidas Gauntlet. Ranks nationally on lists such as ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60. High profile player who is usually recruited through AAU as an underclassman.
• High school experience: Varsity starter all four years of high school. Earned several top accolades, such as All-State, All-Region, and All-Area honors. Best player on the team.

Low D1, top D2 and top NAIA

• Height: 6’0”+
• Club experience: Three to four years of AAU experience, playing on high-level teams that compete nationally. Three years of summer club experience, gaining coach exposure at tournaments.
• High school experience: Three to four years as a varsity starter, earning awards such as All-State, All-Conference and All-Region. One of the top athletes on the team.  

Low D3 and low NAIA

• Height: 5’11”+
• Club experience: Two years of summer club experience, competing locally and state-wide.
• High school experience: Varsity starter as an upperclassman, possibly earning some accolades such as All-Area, All-District or All-Conference. 

Low D3 and low JC

• Height: 5’11”
• Club experience: Some AAU experience playing locally, although it is not necessary.
• High school experience: One to two years of varsity experience.

Women’s basketball shooting guard recruiting guidelines 

Top D1 and top JC 

• Height: 5’10”+
• Club experience: Plays at the highest level in AAU, competing two years at the elite national level, such as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League or adidas Gauntlet. Ranks nationally on lists such as ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60. High profile player who is usually recruited through AAU as an underclassman.
• High school experience: Varsity starter all four years of high school. Earned several top accolades, such as All-State, All-Region and All-Area honors. Best player on the team.

Low D1, top D2 and top NAIA

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Three to four years of AAU experience, playing on high-level teams that compete nationally. Three years of summer club experience, gaining coach exposure at tournaments.
• High school experience: Three to four years as a varsity starter, earning awards such as All-State, All-Conference and All-Region. One of the top athletes on the team.  

Low D3 and low NAIA

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Two years of summer club experience, competing locally and state-wide.
• High school experience: Varsity starter as an upperclassman, possibly earning some accolades such as All-Area, All-District or All-Conference. 

Low D3 and low JC 

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Some AAU experience playing locally, although it is not necessary.
• High school experience: One to two years of varsity experience.

Women’s basketball small forward recruiting guidelines

Top D1 and top JC

• Height: 5’11”+
• Club experience: Plays at the highest level in AAU, competing two years at the elite national level, such as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League or adidas Gauntlet. Ranks nationally on lists such as ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60. High profile player who is usually recruited through AAU as an underclassman.
• High school experience: Varsity starter all four years of high school. Earned several top accolades, such as All-State, All-Region and All-Area honors. Best player on the team.

Low D1, top D2 and top NAIA 

• Height: 5’10”+
• Club experience: Three to four years of AAU experience, playing on high-level teams that compete nationally. Three years of summer club experience, gaining coach exposure at tournaments.
• High school experience: Three to four years as a varsity starter, earning awards such as All-State, All-Conference and All-Region. One of the top athletes on the team.  

Low D3 and low NAIA

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Two years of summer club experience, competing locally and state-wide.
• High school experience: Varsity starter as an upperclassman, possibly earning some accolades such as All-Area, All-District or All-Conference. 

Low D3 and low JC

• Height: 5’8”+
• Club experience: Some AAU experience playing locally, although it is not necessary.
• High school experience: One to two years of varsity experience.

How to get ranked in women’s college basketball

Star ratings are a quick and easy way to convey a recruit’s level of talent to college coaches. Most commonly, student-athletes are ranked from no stars, meaning their talent is unknown, to 5 stars, or elite athletes. In women’s basketball, 5-star athletes are the best recruits in the country and have outstanding athleticism far beyond their peers. Prospects who are considered the best player on their club or high school team are typically 4-star and 3-star athletes. Student-athletes who show dominance on the court but have a few areas to improve on are usually labeled as 3-star athletes. Lastly, 1- and 2-star recruits have the potential to compete at the college level and after some training and development, could become reliable starters.

It’s important for recruits to gauge their level of talent so they know which programs they qualify for and most importantly, where they’ll garner coach interest. There are a couple of ways to receive a star rating and get ranked in basketball. First, they can ask their high school or club coach to help assess their skill set, and research college team rosters to see where their talent aligns. Another way is to have a third-party, like NCSA, use their expertise and knowledge of the college landscape to personally evaluate the recruit.

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What is the difference between women's basketball and men's? Features of rates

Basketball competitions attract more and more audience every year. Women's basketball is no exception. The sports discipline is included in the program of the Olympic Games, is widely covered by the press, keeping up with men's basketball.

History of Women's Basketball

The game originated in 1891. The American teacher James Naismith is considered to be the founder. Basketball gained instant popularity, tournaments were held, professional basketball associations were organized.

Women started playing in the late 1890s. Senda Berenston is considered the founder of the women's game. Physical training teacher developed and implemented the rules of women's basketball in 1892.

In 1983, the first game took place between the students of the college where Berenston taught. In the same year, the first international basketball tournament among girls took place. The team from Italy won. In 1976, the discipline was included in the Olympic program.

Women's basketball came to Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. At 1937, the first team was created. The team regularly led the championships, in 1976 the girls won Olympic gold.

Key differences

Basketball court, the size and height of the ring do not differ in women's and men's sports. For disciplines, the number and duration of halves are the same, the scoring system is the same.

Men and women throw the same way: with one hand. Although a few decades ago, girls threw the ball with two hands.

In physical terms, girls and boys are very different, which also affects the game. Men are taller and heavier, have more developed muscles, endurance is many times higher than women's. Despite the similarities, women's and men's games have several major differences.

Difference 1. Ball size

Women's ball smaller. It is 28.5-29 inches in diameter, while the men's ball is 29.5-30 inches in diameter. Women's hands are smaller, so it's easier for female athletes to handle a smaller ball.

Difference 2. Three-point shot

An accurate three-point throw brings bonus points to the team. In men's and women's sports, the distance to the ring and the length of the arc are different.

Indicator	Men's game	Women's game	Note
Line location from rim	20' 9"	19' 9"	College game
Distance from line to hoop	Not less than 22 feet, but not more than 23 feet 9 inches	20' 6. 5"	Playing in a national association

The percentage of hits is also different: 32% for women, 35% for men.

Difference 3. Style of play

The men's game usually ends up with more points. Men have more hits from the field. Due to the high growth in men's basketball, there are more successful free throws and games over the edge.

In the men's game, the basis is strength, fast movements. Men's basketball is exciting, there are many ups and downs in the game. Girls do not rely on strength, but on technique. The game is more accurate, elegant, but less impetuous.

Difference 4. Throw technique

Although the throwing technique is the same for everyone, in practice the execution of the movement differs between men and women.

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Due to the pronounced throw at the highest point of the jump for men, the element is more stable and accurate, it takes less time to complete. A high, fast jump allows you to take the ball away from your opponents.

Difference 5. Game tactics

The rules of the game are the same for both sexes. But there are significant differences in the actions of athletes:

• the play of girls is calm and measured, the competitions of men are impulsive, with frequent changes in the nature of movements;
• women in competition often act together, men are prone to individual, forceful impulses.

Fans of a planned team game will love women's basketball. Those who appreciate unpredictability, brightness in the game of one or several athletes should watch the men's tournament.

Difference 6. Peak Endurance

The optimal age for a basketball player is 20 years old. At this age, the girl is in excellent physical shape, the peak of endurance is at its highest point. Men retain the physical data necessary for the game until the age of 30-35. It is not uncommon for men under the age of 40 to continue their sports career.

The male sex does not need to leave basketball for a while. Girls often leave sports for several years to give birth to a child and devote time to raising him. Many basketball players return to the profession after the decree.

Difference 7. Popularity

Student and professional men's play has been popular in America since the 1940s. The girls' competition did not become famous until 1980. The viewing ratings of the men's game are significantly higher than those of the women's basketball.

For example, in the state of Ohio, about 15 thousand fans watch the performance of the stronger sex, and a little more than 3 thousand people watch the women's competition. There are exceptions when women's basketball attracts the attention of tens of thousands of fans (teams of the University of Tennessee, the Huskies from the University of Connecticut).

Difference 8. Features of rates

Knowing the intricacies of the game and the features of women's basketball, you can make good money on bets. When making a decision and choosing a strategy, you need to consider:

• in the women's tournament, the difference between strong and weak teams is clearly noticeable;
• compared to the men's game in women's competitions, there are fewer strong athletes playing individually;
• men's game always has a higher final result;
• girls approach the game responsibly, not relaxing in the last minutes, unlike men;
• often on its territory, a team that has a reputation as an outsider is able to win even against a strong team.

Responsible attitude to the game allows a weak team to win in the away tournament. You can bet on losing the leader.

In large-scale world competitions, women's teams keep evenly, not divided into favorites and not the most successful teams. In men's basketball, the opposite trend is observed. Bookmakers, referring to men's tournaments, increase the odds for clear leaders. This allows you to bet on the possible advantage of weak teams and get a decent win. For example, in the 2017 World Cup, the leading Spanish team lost in the game, and experienced players, betting on outsiders, remained in the black.

When teams are equal in strength, the bookmaker puts a low total. In such a situation, you can play against the opinion of analysts. Quite often, a given low indicator “breaks through” due to a tense game.

In the game for third place, it is better to bet on the negative handicap of the leader. The favorite, due to enhanced training, will clearly outplay weak opponents.

In club competitions, bettors should pay attention to the game of a not pronounced leader who hosts not the weakest team on his site. In such cases, analysts put odds up to 1.7 for the victory of the leading team, and more than 2 for a negative handicap. In this situation, the chances of winning increase. But the leading team must:

• be well motivated;
• be in great shape;
• the decrease in the odds to win is minimally reduced.

In such cases, the coefficient will be at least 1.85.

Do not bet on the negative handicap of the strongest teams in the home tournament. It is difficult to guess when the leader will be able to break away by the required number of points.

The same principles apply to territorial tournaments within the Russian Federation. You can bet on a serious lead in the points of the strongest teams.
Women's basketball is a beautiful, spectacular game, characterized by regularity and grace. In competitions, unexpected moments rarely arise, the girls play responsibly and smoothly. Unfortunately, the women's game loses to the men's game in terms of the number of fans, but does not lose its significance in the general sports scale.

Women's basketball - ranking of national teams, rules of the game

Women's basketball is a sports team game, its main goal is to throw the ball into the opponent's basket. Those who earn the most points during the competition win. Only tall and fast girls are selected for basketball. It is believed that this sport is very useful, so it is included in the sports training program for schools.

Women's basketball - rules of the game

Experts believe that women's basketball:

• perfects coordination;
• trains muscles and breathing;
• improves blood circulation;
• strengthens the nerves.

These characteristics made the game very famous, the first rules were invented by the American James Naismith in 1891. The teacher wanted to make gymnastics lessons more interesting, at first the teams just threw balls into fruit baskets. Only a year later, James formulated the basic rules, at first there were 13 of them. And the rules of women's basketball at the international level were adopted only in 1932, at the first congress of the International Basketball Federation. The most extreme adjustments were made in 2004. The rules are simple:

1. Two groups compete, five participants from each.
2. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into someone else's basket and prevent it from being thrown into your own.
3. Play is played with hands only, kicking or stopping the ball is considered a foul.
4. If there is a tie, the judge adds time, and does so until a winner is determined.
5. 2 points are awarded for a close-range shot, 3 points for a long-range shot, and 1 point for a free throw.

Women's basketball - ring height

Women's volleyball has become so popular due to the fact that it is the least traumatic. It also improves health by various activities:

• walking and running;
• stops, turns, throws;
• jumping, catching and dribbling.

The height of the basketball hoop from the floor is 10 feet or 3.05 meters. The same standards apply to men's basketball. According to sports standards, the basket is fixed at a distance of 0.15 meters from the low edge of the basketball backboard, and the basket itself is fitted on the hoop with a net that does not have a bottom. The lower edge of the basket is fixed at a distance of 3 meters 5 centimeters from the floor, this rule is common for both men's and women's teams. There are a few more important nuances:

1. The structure is placed in such a way that it is impossible to move it, and the loads do not affect the position of the shield.
2. The correct distance from the floor to the top is measured by a specialist, because not only accuracy plays a role, but also the difference in slopes in one direction and the other.

How many quarters are there in women's basketball?

In basketball, "pure" time is counted, the game has from 2 to 4 periods or quarters, 12 minutes each. Breaks are given for two minutes. In numerous sports, time is divided into halves, women's basketball has the same rules. The stopwatch starts only when the ball is in play, but if it flies out of the field, the timer is stopped. Full playing time is from 40 to 48 minutes, everything is decided by the rules.

How long is a quarter in women's basketball?

How long is a quarter in basketball? Each is given 10 minutes of time not falling out of the game, taking into account the breaks between them of 120 seconds. Only at the height of the game, between the second and third periods, 15 minutes are allocated for rest. But there are some deviations:

1. In Europe, a quarter has 10 minutes.
2. In America they play for 12 minutes.
3. In the NBA, the score is 12 minutes, but with timeouts and delays, it runs for about half an hour.

Rating of women's basketball teams

Women's basketball is a sport where matches are no less exciting than those of men, points and penalties are taken into account by the referee according to generally accepted world rules. To get the right to play in the most prestigious tournament, the Russian team this year played 6 matches with basketball players from Greece, Bulgaria and Switzerland. The women's basketball team managed to win the World Cup and the European Cup, topping the world rankings and displacing the former champions from Hungary.

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