Do big NCAA Tourney runs affect the recruitment of top players?
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Some of the top players from around the country were on hand to compete at the NBPA Top 100 camp this weekend. Rivals.com caught up with a handful of players and asked a few different questions surrounding their entire recruiting experience.
With the Top 100 camp taking place at the University of Virginia, which won its first hoops national title in April, we asked players how closely they watch the tournament and does a success influence their recruitment?
"I went out to the Final Four and that was crazy. Just to watch teams and see what it takes to get that far. If a team is getting to the tournament every year or every other year, then of course I’m going to take note of that." - Michael Foster
"I watch the teams in the tournament closely. Mostly I’ll watch how the offenses play and how the coaches are on the floor. It’s definitely nice to keep watching teams that win over and over because you get a better feel for the program and how the team operates." - B.J. Boston
"It doesn’t really affect my recruitment. I just like watching all the games and all the teams and it’s good basketball. I’m not sitting there and thinking, ‘oh if I go here, it will be this and this.’ I just enjoy the tournament." - Moussa Diabate
"I definitely do my research on teams and when I see them in the tournament I’m watching them closely. I’ll watch players at my position and think of how I could impact the game and try to pick up little things here and there from good players." - Jaemyn Brakefield
"I would say it impacts my recruitment a lot because at my high school we win, and I want to keep winning no matter where I go in college. I hate losing, so I want to keep that going. And when you look at the teams that consistently make a deep run in the tournament, of course that’s going to influence you a little bit." - Justin Lewis
"I watch all teams during the season and through the tournament. I’m just paying attention to their style of play, watching the point guards for sure and the teams that are recruiting me and how I would fit in." - R.J. Davis
"To watch any team in the tournament is fun but especially Virginia this year because they were the first team ever to get knocked out by a 16 seed last year so to come back and be resilient just speaks volume on the character of that team and how great the coaching staff is." - Jace Howard