Williams College men’s basketball head coach Kevin App provides insights on what coaches look for in a recruit, what makes a great highlight reel and more.
Williams College head coach Kevin App, who is entering his third season with the Ephs, is no stranger to success on the hardwood.
From teams that have won league championships and earned NCAA Tournament bids, to an appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Game in 2010, App knows firsthand what it takes to assemble a winning team.
With his winning pedigree and his ability to identify and develop talent, he's groomed multiple All-Americans, we felt Coach App was the perfect candidate to discuss the Div. III recruiting process.
Here's what he had to say:
What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
At Williams College, it starts with academic scores. If those requirements are met, we try to build our program around shooting the basketball.
When should an athlete contact you?
The best time for us would be at some point during the prospect's junior year of high school.
How should an athlete contact you?
Email or filling out our online recruiting questionnaire is the best way to initially contact us.
What really jumps out at you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape? What are the main dos and don’ts for a recruits highlight tape?
A recruit’s size and skill level is what we're looking for.
Do: Highlight your strengths.
Don't: Have it be longer than four to five minutes.
When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during offseason, in the middle of season, or after each game?
Each game is great if possible. This allows a coach to accurately see a prospect's impact in a full game. Only doing it at the end of the year may make a coach think, “Is this ALL their good plays for the year?"
What advice do you have for recruits that get turned down by their dream schools? What are their options if they don’t gain the recruiting attention they desire?
My advice would always be to put yourself in the best situation to have as many options as possible. This means doing well in the classroom and performing on the court. I also encourage recruits to visit multiple schools, so when they make a decision, they've been able to compare it to other options.
What camps, leagues, showcases and teams would you recommend a recruit to attend to gain exposure to college basketball coaches?
It completely depends on the type of student/player. For an academic-minded player, the Ivy League Elite Camps are a great option.
What advice do you have for high school or club coaches that are working with recruitable players? How can they make sure their athletes get in front of the right people?
The best advice is, be honest with them. I'd also say the advice should always be "go where you feel comfortable and go where they want you".
What type of events do you recruit at?
Academic showcases, Ivy League Elite Camps and July AAU Tournaments.
What parting advice can you offer a recruit?
Enjoy the process. The things that will make your college experience are your teammates, your coach, winning, and your performance (in that order).
