How to stand out as a scout

Like any job, basketball scouting comes down to what you bring to the table.

Do you have something special and valuable to offer?

What do you bring to the work that no one else does?

Last week I explained the importance of becoming a go-to scout.

When you’re a go-to scout, you have something to offer — and people know it.

Becoming a go-to scout means zeroing in on what makes you an expert on the players you choose to focus on. 🎯

It means you’re top of mind when someone goes looking for information on a player who’s in your wheelhouse.

Rather than being one of dozens of scouts someone might consider calling, you’re the person they know they need to call.

Your reputation precedes you.

“Oh, you’re interested in that kid from Vegas? You’re going to want to talk to Christian. He’s the guy for all things Vegas.”

What if people talked about you that way?

That’s why it’s important to focus on becoming the go-to scout within a small domain.

There are a couple ways I recommend you narrow it down to start.

Location

Begin where you are.

Unless you’re in a major metro area, chances are there aren’t many scouts nearby. You have this advantage baked in.

When you’re the only person scouting an area…

You don’t need to be a basketball savant.

You don’t need 20 years of playing or coaching experience.

The bar you need to clear to be of service is much lower.

If you live in a densely populated area where there are other scouts, you’ll want to focus on other ways to make your coverage more specific.

Level of play

Here is the big one.

If you’re evaluating high school players for colleges, what level of projected play are you focused on?

Mid-major and low-major Division I? Division II or III? Junior college or community college candidates?

It’s a question you wouldn’t think about from the outside looking in at national recruiting coverage in the media.

But from the perspective of a college coach you’d like to work with, it’s everything.

Are coaches at America East or MEAC (low-major conference) schools going to spend much time on high-level prospects?

No. They have limited resources and they know to expend them on prospects they can get. Why would they waste their time and money on blue chip prospects who wouldn’t consider their school?

If you’re the go-to scout for low-major prospects in their area, they’ll have you at the top of their call list. 📞

When you set yourself up for success this way, you’re not competing against more experienced, more connected scouts from the jump.

The easiest way to be the person is to be the only person from the beginning.

Why make it harder than it needs to be?

Whether you’re in New York or New Mexico evaluating high school players, or in Lagos, Nigeria or a rural area in South Africa watching young prospects, these same principles apply.

In next week’s letter, I’ll tell you about another easy way to set yourself up for success from the beginning.