Why "Too Young" Might Be Too Late: Understanding US College Basketball Recruitment Timelines

Jonathon Mines
Nov 3
6 min read

If you're an Australian parent with a basketball-loving son in Year 9 or 10, you might be thinking: "He's got plenty of time. Let's wait a few years before we think about US college exposure."

It's a natural instinct. You want to protect your child, let them mature, and not rush into something they might not be ready for.

But here's what most Australian families don't realize: by the time your son feels "ready," US college coaches may have already filled their recruiting classes.

The Reality of US College Basketball Recruitment:

Let's talk about when recruitment actually begins in the United States.

US college coaches start identifying and tracking prospects as early as 13-14 years old. By Year 10, serious recruitment conversations are already happening. By Year 11, many top programs have already extended scholarship offers.

This isn't speculation. This is the system that Jonathon Mines—a former US collegiate and professional player—navigated himself and now helps Australian athletes access through Strive Basketball Australia.

The AAU Circuit: Where Recruitment Happens

In the US, the primary recruiting ground for college basketball is the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) circuit. These tournaments run throughout the year, with the biggest events happening in July.

College coaches attend these tournaments specifically to scout talent. They're watching Year 9, 10, and 11 players compete at high levels, taking notes, and building their recruiting boards.

Australian players who wait until Year 12 to get US exposure are entering the game when many of their American counterparts have already been on college radars for 2-3 years.

Scouts keenly observe the action at the 2025 USA Tour event, where Strive is showcasing its talent on the court, drawing attention from over 200 American coaches.

Why Early Exposure Isn't Premature—It's Strategic

When parents say their son is "too young," what they often mean is:

"He's not skilled enough yet"
"He's not physically mature"
"He might get overwhelmed"

These concerns are valid. But here's what early exposure through programs like Strive actually provides:

1. A Reality Check, Not a Make-or-Break Moment

Your son's first US tour isn't his only shot at a scholarship. It's an assessment opportunity.

He gets to:

Compete against elite US competition and see where he truly stands
Visit college campuses and understand what coaches are looking for
Receive feedback from experienced coaches about his development areas
Experience the intensity and pace of US basketball culture

The sooner he knows what he needs to work on, the more time he has to develop those skills.

If he waits until Year 12, there's no time left to close the gaps.

2. Building Relationships Early

College coaches recruit players they know and trust. They want to see a player multiple times, track their development, and build a relationship over time.

A Year 9 or 10 player who competes in a US AAU tournament gets on the radar. Coaches take note. If that player returns the following year showing improvement, it tells a powerful story: this kid is coachable, committed, and progressing.

Recruitment is a relationship game, and relationships take time.

3. Development Happens Faster with Clear Goals

Player A attends a Strive tour in Year 10. He competes, gets feedback, realises he needs to improve his ball-handling and defensive footwork. He spends the next two years working on those exact areas with purpose and direction from US coaches.

Player B waits until he finishes Year 12 for his first US exposure the following May. He competes, gets the same feedback, but now he's (3) months away from US start of school with no time to make meaningful changes.

Which player do you think has the better chance at a scholarship?

Early exposure doesn't mean early commitment. It means early clarity.

4. Understanding NCAA Eligibility Requirements Early

Here's something most Australian parents don't discover until it's too late: the NCAA has strict academic eligibility requirements, and not all Australian high school subjects qualify.

If your son doesn't know about core course requirements, minimum GPA standards, and SAT/ACT testing until Year 12, he may have already taken subjects that don't count toward NCAA eligibility—potentially disqualifying him from scholarships even if he's talented enough to play.

Starting early means understanding what academic path your son needs to be on while there's still time to adjust.

Strive Basketball Australia guides families through the NCAA eligibility maze, ensuring players are on track academically as well as athletically.

(Learn more in our complete NCAA Eligibility Guide for Australian Athletes.)

The Cost of Waiting Too Long

Let's be blunt: waiting until your son is "ready" can cost him the opportunity entirely.

Recruiting Classes Fill Up

US college programs have limited roster spots and scholarship budgets. Coaches start filling their recruiting classes 1-2 years in advance.

By the time your son is in Year 12, many programs have already committed their scholarships to players they've been tracking since Year 10.

The Competition Is Already Ahead

American players grow up in the AAU system. They've been competing in front of college coaches since they were 13 or 14.

Australian players are already starting from behind. Waiting until Year 12 to get US exposure puts them even further back.

Development Time Is Finite

Basketball skills take years to develop. Strength, speed, basketball IQ, decision-making under pressure—these don't happen overnight.

The earlier your son understands what US college coaches are looking for, the more time he has to develop those qualities.

Academic Eligibility Can't Be Fixed Overnight

If your son reaches Year 12 and discovers he hasn't taken the right subjects or maintained the required GPA for NCAA eligibility, there's no quick fix. Academic records are permanent.

Starting the conversation early means avoiding eligibility pitfalls before they happen.

What About Players Who Aren't Elite Yet?

Here's a common concern: "My son is good, but he's not a star player. Is he ready for US competition?"

The answer is yes—and here's why.

The goal isn't to make every player a Division I recruit. The goal is to find the right fit for each player's skill level and aspirations.

But to find that fit, coaches need to see your son compete. And your son needs to see what's out there.

Competing Up Raises Your Game

Even if your son isn't the most skilled player on the court, competing against elite US talent accelerates his development.

He'll face faster, stronger, more disciplined players. He'll learn what high-level basketball looks like. He'll come home with a clear understanding of what he needs to work on.

That's not a negative experience. That's a growth experience.

Age-Appropriate Structure and Support

We understand that sending a 14 or 15-year-old to the US is a big decision. That's why Strive Basketball Australia is built around structure, safety, and support.

Experienced coaching staff (1 coach per 8 players)
Supervised accommodation with curfews and clear behavioral expectations
Mandatory travel insurance with sports coverage

Direct communication with parents throughout the tour
Mentality masterclasses with sports psychologists to prepare players mentally
NCAA eligibility guidance to ensure academic requirements are met

This isn't a "throw them in the deep end" experience. It's a carefully structured program designed to challenge players while keeping them safe and supported.

The Strive Difference: Experience You Can Trust

Jonathon Mines isn't guessing about how US college recruitment works. He lived it.

As a former US collegiate and professional player, he knows:

What college coaches look for in recruits
How to navigate the AAU system
Which tournaments give players the best exposure
How to build relationships with college programs
How NCAA eligibility works for international athletes

He's also a NIL agent and has connections with Rise Sports Management, giving Strive athletes access to a global network of opportunities.

Strive Basketball Australia isn't a generic basketball tour. It's a blueprint built from firsthand experience.

What Parents Are Really Worried About

Let's address the elephant in the room.

When parents say their son is "too young," they're often worried about:

Failure: What if he doesn't perform well?
Confidence: What if the experience hurts his self-esteem?
Wasted money: What if he's not ready and we're paying for nothing?

These are legitimate concerns. Here's the truth:

Not every player will dominate US competition on their first tour. And that's okay.

The value isn't just in performance. It's in:

Exposure to college coaches and the US system
Feedback on what to improve
Motivation to work harder when he gets home
Clarity on whether the US college path is right for him
Academic guidance to stay NCAA-eligible

Even if your son doesn't get scholarship offers on his first tour, he gains invaluable insight that shapes his next 2-3 years of development.

And if he does catch a coach's eye? That early relationship could be the difference-maker down the road.

The Bottom Line

US college basketball recruitment starts earlier than most Australian parents realize.

Waiting until your son is "ready" often means waiting until it's too late.

The players who earn scholarships aren't always the most talented. They're the ones who:

Got exposure early
Built relationships with coaches over time
Understood what they needed to work on and had time to develop
Stayed on track academically for NCAA eligibility

Strive Basketball Australia gives your son that head start—in a structured, supportive, and age-appropriate environment.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're still unsure whether your son is ready, let's talk.

Jonathon personally evaluates every player at our nationwide trials. He'll give you honest feedback about where your son stands and whether the US tour is the right next step.