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Q: I know how the "McDonald’s All-Americans" and the AAU superstars are recruited, but how about the guys who are just as talented but not known? How are they recruited?
— Vince P, Tampa Fla.

A: Wow, there are many ways to answer that question, Vince. I loved the old-time formula when coaches would identify a desired recruit, then outwork other staffs. Those coaches built relationships with family members, parents, friends and coaches, and they really got to know those players. NCAA rules now get in the way of those strong relationships, and that’s why so many players end up in the wrong situations.

Recruiting is not an exact science. The elite teams in college basketball can be rather selective when it comes to All-Americans and the top players from summer camps. Those players, and the ones who are clearly NBA-bound, are the ones that demand the most attention. But I think every successful coach has a recruiting system that works for him and his staff.

Many times an assistant coach is sent to scout and recruit the top player on a high school or AAU team. He may come back saying, “That player was great, but there’s another player that fits our system better.” A missed flight connection might force a coach to check out a player who is secondary on his list, and that player may wind up the school’s No. 1 target.

I think the best programs in the country are the ones that can identify the lower-rated players who fit into the school’s system. Digging out those players, the ones that other programs overlook, may be the most important element to building a strong program. There are only so many All-Americans out there.

If you want a good look at the world of recruiting, I suggest you read the book “Raw Recruits” by Alexander Wolff and Armen Keteyian. It was published in 1991, but it’s still the best look at basketball recruiting that I’ve ever seen.

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