What Happened to the Relationships?

The Impact of the Transfer Portal on High School Basketball Recruiting

Navigating the world of college basketball recruiting has become increasingly challenging with the rise of the transfer portal. Unlike in the past, where recruitment strategies often involved long-term planning and scouting young talent at AAU events, today's landscape demands a more dynamic approach.

Gone are the days of college coaches flocking to early morning AAU games to scout 15-under and 16-under players. The transfer portal has reshaped the recruiting timeline, making evaluations more year-to-year rather than focusing on long-term prospects.

However, amidst these changes, one thing remains constant: the importance of relationships. At Radford, we've adapted to these new challenges by leveraging Elite Camps to identify and connect with promising young talent early on. These camps have become invaluable in helping us forge connections with players like Zion Walker from Burlington, NC, who was once an Elite Camp participant to coming into our freshman class this year.

While the landscape of college basketball recruiting may continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: “Relationships still matter.” Building trust and rapport with players from a young age lays the foundation for success both on and off the court.

Sign up and learn more about Darris Nichols Basketball Camps!