Parents Guide To College Recruitment During Live Period Events
Let’s keep it real EVERY SPORTS PARENT wants their kid to go D1.
Power 4 now with the NIL direct payments. But the truth is, not every athlete is being recruited at that level and that’s not shade, that’s strategy. If you want your child to get recruited, offered, and developed (not just posted in a jersey pic), you need to understand what their current game is saying about their future fit.
Because during Live Period, not every level of college basketball is recruiting the same way.
And if you don’t understand that, you could be chasing a dream that doesn’t even fit your kid. We have an entire guide that prepares and educates y
What Is the Live Period?
The Live Period is a short window of time when college coaches are allowed to watch athletes play in person. There are two major types:
Scholastic Live Periods – These happen during the high school season and are for school teams only. Coaches get a clearer view of how your athlete plays in a structured system.
AAU Live Periods – These take place during club season—April, May, and especially July.
That July period? It's the Super Bowl. Everyone who's anyone is watching.
Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud:
D1 coaches aren’t there to discover talent they’re there to confirm it. If a D1 coach is courtside at your kid’s game, they’ve already seen something. Maybe it was film. Maybe a trusted coach or scout vouched for them.
Ask yourself this: What type of kid do you have?
Not in terms of dreams but right now, in terms of stats, role, and visibility.
If your kid is:
Already nationally ranked or on circuit rosters (EYBL, 3SSB, UAA)
6’6”+ with elite athleticism or skill for their position
Averaging 20+ PPG with a strong assist/turnover ratio or dominant rebounding stats
Playing against other top-ranked talent consistently
Already getting buzz from scouts, recruiting sites, or major programs
Then yes, Power 4 coaches may be in the building for them. But if your kid is averaging 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, and struggling with consistency or minutes, a Power 4 probably isn’t what you need to be chasing this summer. That’s not a dig at them thats direction.
Let’s talk about the other layers in D1: Mid-Majors and Low-Majors
Mid-Majors want to win, so they’ll take a 6’2” combo guard with a chip on their shoulder if they can’t get the flashy top-100 kid.
Don’t think mid-majors only take what P4s don’t want.
If your athlete has a skill that solves a problem, whether it’s scoring, leadership, or just being low-maintenance and coachable, they’re in the mix.
If your kid is:
A late bloomer who’s just now growing into their body or role
Coming off the bench now but showing flashes of real
Competing well in big moments even without a big name
A shooter, defender, or specialist with a clear strength coaches can build around
Coachable, low-maintenance, and not chasing the “Power 4 or bust” dream
Coming from a program or family with early ties to a college staff or system
Now let’s talk Low-Majors…
These programs don’t always get the spotlight, but don’t get it twisted, they’re still offering scholarships, playing high-level ball, and sending kids pro overseas every year. They just recruit differently.
Low-majors usually don’t have the same NIL budgets, facilities, or national pull.
But what they do have is opportunity. Opportunity to get real minutes. Opportunity to develop.
Opportunity to be the guy instead of just another name on the bench at a bigger school.
If your kid is Low-Major D1 material:
Undersized but skilled—like a 5’11” point guard with a tight handle and high IQ
Still filling out physically or learning to play faster/stronger
Coming from a smaller school or market with limited exposure
A role player on a top circuit team but not getting major minutes
A “tweener” in terms of position or style, but still effective
These are the schools that will call after a big spring or breakout July.
They’re watching closely for kids with chips on their shoulders who might’ve slipped through the cracks at higher levels.
Now let’s clear this up: D2 is NOT a step down.
A lot of folks sleep on Division II because they assume it means “lesser.” But let’s be real, plenty of D2 programs can go toe-to-toe with low-major D1s. In fact, some D2 squads would beat them.
The only major difference? Budget, scholarships, and branding. (We break this down even further in the "How To Help Your Athlete Stand Out In Front Of College Coaches" ebook with information about scholarship types and more.) Not the basketball. These coaches are still grinding during Live Period. They’re still flying out to watch your kid. And they’re still giving out money, its just packaged differently.
Some D2 schools stack scholarships using athletic + academic money.
Some offer full rides. So don’t block your blessings just because the jersey doesn’t say “D1.”
If your kid is D2 material:
Has solid fundamentals, good motor, and coachability
Maybe not “blow you away” athletic but smart, efficient, and skilled
Has qualifying grades and can benefit from academic aid stacking
Willing to develop over 4 years and be a system player
Interested in smaller class sizes, better player-coach relationships, or a more balanced campus experience
And if your athlete needs more time to develop…
Didn’t qualify academically? Just bloomed late?
JUCO might be the best thing that ever happened to them.
Let me tell you something: JUCO coaches are not recruiting for the long term.
They’re looking for players who are hungry right now. They want athletes with:
Raw potential with room to grow
Athletes who can handle adversity and bounce back
Toughness, resilience, and effort—every single play
They don’t care about highlight reels. They care if your kid goes hard even when their team is down by 20. They care if your kid keeps their head up after being subbed out. They want dogs NOT divas. So if your athlete has JUCO as a realistic option, don’t downplay it. JUCO coaches will believe in your kid when no one else does—and give them the platform to prove people wrong.
Final Word: Don’t Just Chase the Logo. Chase the Right Fit.
Every school isn’t for every kid. And that’s okay. Your job isn’t to get your athlete to the “biggest” program, it’s to help them find the place where they can develop, get minutes, stay healthy, grow, and graduate.
NIL is cool. Exposure is cool. But none of it matters if your kid isn’t playing or isn’t happy. The Live Period isn’t just about being seen, it’s about getting clarity. For some kids, this is the starting line.
Their first time being evaluated seriously, and a chance to show they’re on the rise.
For others, it’s a check-in point. Coaches are re-evaluating who’s still on the board, who’s grown, who’s plateaued, and who fits what they need right now. This is the moment for parents to ask questions: What did coaches actually say? Where does your child really stand? Does what’s being offered align with the vision y’all had? f not? That’s not failure. That’s feedback.
The worst thing you can do is leave Live Period with information and ignore it.
If the offers don’t align with the dream, it’s not the end of the road. It just means there’s more work to do, more strategy to apply, and more truth to accept.
Want a clearer picture of what you’re walking into this Live Period? Check out the How To Help Your Athlete Stand Out In Front Of College Coaches" ebook with information about your role as a parent, scholarship types, offers vs interest and more.
