The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to College Basketball Recruiting

Help Your Child Play at the Next Level—Without the Stress or Guesswork

If you’re the parent of a student-athlete with dreams of playing college basketball, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not powerless. The recruitment process can feel overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes even discouraging. But here’s the truth: parents play a crucial role in helping their kids get noticed, get recruited, and get to college with confidence.

At Time Is Now Basketball Academy, we work with athletes AND their parents to make sure the entire family understands the road to college basketball. In this guide, you’ll learn what your role looks like, how to avoid common pitfalls, and where to invest your time, energy, and money to actually move the needle.

Why Parents Matter in the Recruitment Process

College recruitment doesn’t just happen on the court. It happens in conversations, applications, email threads, highlight reels, and mindset. That’s where YOU come in.

Your job isn’t to take over the process—but to support your child in staying organized, realistic, focused, and resilient. You’re their biggest advocate and cheerleader—but also their planner, protector, and sounding board.

Here’s how parents help their athletes get recruited:

• Encouraging consistency in training and academics

• Helping track key deadlines for recruitment and eligibility

• Assisting with communication to coaches (especially in earlier years)

• Guiding highlight reel creation and exposure efforts

• Choosing the right camps, tournaments, and programs

• Being a calming presence in a high-pressure process

The Most Common Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Many parents have the best intentions but unknowingly steer their athlete in the wrong direction. Here’s what we see all the time:

❌ Relying Too Much on High School or AAU Coaches

While coaches may offer advice or exposure, they are often managing dozens of athletes at once and cannot personalize your child’s recruitment strategy. It’s your job to make sure someone is consistently helping your child plan and execute a recruitment approach.

❌ Spending Thousands on the Wrong Events

Not all showcases or travel teams lead to real recruitment outcomes. Without knowing what to look for, families often waste money on events that don’t result in offers or exposure. The key is being strategic with time and budget.

❌ Waiting Too Long to Start

Many families think recruitment begins junior or senior year. In reality, freshman year is the time to start building awareness and positioning—both academically and athletically.

❌ Doing Too Much for Your Child

Over-involvement can backfire. College coaches want independent, responsible athletes. Support your child, but let them take ownership. Teach them to send emails, track their games, and build their own recruitment presence.

What You Should Be Doing Right Now

Whether your child is in 8th grade or a rising senior, there are ways to engage in the process today:

✅ Build a recruitment calendar with deadlines for camps, transcripts, highlight reels, and outreach

✅ Evaluate what training they’re getting—is it preparing them for college-level play?

✅ Create a strategy for where your child wants to play (D1, D2, D3, NAIA?)

✅ Track academic eligibility requirements (NCAA core classes, GPA, SAT/ACT if needed)

✅ Work with a mentor or coach who knows the system and can help you make the right moves

Why Time Is Now Basketball Academy Works for Families

At Time Is Now Basketball Academy, we know the recruitment process is a family effort. That’s why our program is designed to support not just the athlete—but also their support system.

Led by Coach Sercan “Serg” Fenerci, our comprehensive program includes:

• 1-on-1 in-person skill development

• Online and in-person mentorship

• Expert guidance on recruitment and scholarship process

• Live game feedback (AAU/High School/Travel)

• Film reviews and highlight reel creation

We take the guesswork out of recruitment and replace it with a personalized, proven plan.

Let’s Take the Stress Out of the Process

You don’t have to figure this all out alone. We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate this process successfully—and your child could be next.

Download our FREE guide: Top 10 Recruiting Mistakes to Avoid as a High School Athlete

Book a Discovery Call to talk with Coach Serg about how we can support your family’s goals

Let’s make your child’s dream of playing college basketball a reality—with less stress, more clarity, and a game plan that actually works.