So, you're going on a visit...

For many, choosing a school is one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever make. The first step in choosing a school is taking your official (or unofficial) visit. Before 2023, the rule was that for your entire period of NCAA eligibility, you could only take five official visits. Now, recruits have no restrictions on the number of visits they can take.

For recruits prior to the rule change, myself included, picking between schools and deciding which ones to visit were some of the hardest choices we made. And since we were only allowed five official visits in our careers, you often wanted to limit yourself to just one to three visits in case you needed to save more for the future.

Thanks to the NCAA, athletes no longer have to worry about breaking rules—but that doesn’t make narrowing down schools any easier. However, if you’re reading this, you probably already have a visit scheduled. Here’s what you need to know:

1. You will meet so many people.

Your visit will last anywhere from one to two days. During that time, you’ll meet coaches, players, managers, administrators, athletic directors, the campus president, campus administrators, bus drivers, janitors, random students, restaurant staff, residence life staff, financial aid staff, student organization leaders, and even staff family members. It’s important to stay engaged and remember people’s names. It’s a lot, and there will be plenty of names to keep track of, but if you prioritize anyone, remember the names of the athletic program’s staff.

2. Order light meals.

I’m bringing this up early because during a visit, you’ll eat so much that it’ll feel like your stomach will burst. Between every activity, a meal is planned. You’ll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with little time in between. Don’t overdo it—you’ll regret it.

3. Talk to the players.

Everyone finds out eventually, but there’s no program that is exactly as it seems during a visit. A visit is comparable to the honeymoon stage of a relationship: everything is sunshine and rainbows at first. It’s absolutely worth getting the perspective of those who are really involved to help you make your decision. This isn’t a knock on coaches or recruiting coordinators; they’re doing their job to persuade you to commit. But talking to the players will give you the full picture.

4. ASK QUESTIONS.

This point is in uppercase letters because of just how important it is to ASK QUESTIONS. The only way to get the information you need is to inquire about it. Coaches will tell you what they think you need to hear, but only you know what it’ll take for you to succeed. Ask questions and really analyze the answers. Ask yourself if their responses align with your needs. If you’re stuck, here are some questions I recommend:

• Can you break down your current offensive scheme? Where do I fit? How would I be successful within it? (Ask the same for defense.)

• What are some things you expect from your players every day?

• Can you walk me through a practice? What are they like?

• What opportunities are available for internships, shadowing, or other career development tied to my major during and after my basketball career?

• In what ways can you see me impacting this team upon my arrival?

• Is there anything you feel your team is missing right now that’s hindering success?

• What does the depth chart look like, and where might I fit in?

5. Don’t get too high or too low.

Remember, visits are designed to persuade you. Don’t be blinded by fancy facilities, financial promises, or delicious meals; focus on the day-to-day experience. Can you see yourself living in the city where the school is located? What is the weather like—can you tolerate it? Where will you live—are you okay with it? Do you think you’ll be impactful when you get there? Will you have to wait to play? Keep it real with yourself—it’s easy to be fooled by the sunshine and rainbows.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! I hope you learned something. This will truly be a time in your life that you’ll remember forever. Take your time, ask questions, and enjoy yourself—there’s nothing like it.

And always remember: You’ve got this, and you can do it.

With love,

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