Head Men’s Basketball Coach Genesee CC |
@GCCCougarsBball
| in Batavia, NY. NJCAA Basketball. All views are my own. Basketball and Buffalo Bills football here.
I just saw a kid lost his D1 offer because he didn’t fully understand the landscape of college basketball. Those offers are only offers until someone commits. Make sure you are asking the correct questions to these coaches. Don’t be left in the dust and sitting at home.
Just spoke with high level D2 coach and he told me their league don’t really recruit HS kids.
For HS & Prep players in this climate, don’t sit on offers for too long. These high level coaches are trying to win. Take the offer as an honor but don’t play around with it.
High School, Prep Coaches, or any unsigned prospects - Feel free to post your highlight videos below 👇🏾👇🏾
We are looking for guys but other coaches might see your video also!Could be the opportunity you need!
Just using my platform to help as many kids as possible. Good luck!
ALL PROSPECTS:
Be on your best behavior when playing in front of coaches regardless of the level.
I watched some talented players get crossed off recruiting boards because of their body language, interaction with teammates, and playing entitled instead of playing with passion.
It’s nothing better than getting off the phone with NCAA coaches and they ask you about players who are averaging less than 10 points per game. Coaches don’t care about how many points you can score, they care about how much you can help their team! Remember that young ballers!
The recruiting process is changing…
D2 players going D1
D3 players going D1
NAIA players going D1
D1, D2 going to the portal and dropping down levels!
Players need to embrace the schools that are recruiting them, go where you’re wanted, bet on yourself, and see what happens!
Wanted to thank my coaching peers in the Mid-State Athletic Conference for voting me Coach of the Year, my players, and my friends and family for reaching out showing love.
#wenotdoneyet
#regionalsnow
For any prospects that think they’re “above” the level of a school, I suggest going for a workout at that school.
If you are the best player on the floor, you have your answer.
If you struggle to keep up with the bottom of their roster, you should re-assess your thought process.
Four positions in our system:
Point - someone who defends and run the show.
Guard - off guard, shooting guard, combo guard, etc.
Wing - wing forward, stretch 4, wing guard, etc.
Post - rim runner, post up guy.
Stop asking if you’re playing “1” or “5”. The game has evolved.
Class of 2024 unsigned prospects
Drop your video below:
✅ Looking for one of the best JUCO in the country at our level
✅Known for moving players to the next level
✅Think about Genesee CC
Questionnaire: …
Coach:
tageorge
@genesee
.edu
@CoachT_George
Recently got off the phone with a high level coach that who glanced over my re-tweet and said “we offered two younger kids but after contacting guys from the portal, those offers are gone.”
Don’t take those offers for granted. Don’t wait too long then someone takes your spot.
Note to players:
Just because you score some buckets on a D1 player at open gym, doesn’t make you D1!
Do you have any elite physical traits? Can you affect winning at that level?
Do you work hard enough?
Scoring 7 points on Mikey from BU in workouts don’t make you D1!
After competing for the NJCAA DIII National Championship and playing in 1 of the best NJCAA DIII Regions - I will tell you right now - you need MULTIPLE scholarship level players and additional players that’s good enough to play after JC if everything goes right to win it all.
In basketball, you will not be happy at the end of every practice or game. You might be unhappy with your playing time, the role your coach wants you to play or a number or other things. Are you going to run away from the challenge because it is not easy or dig deep and fight?
**Looking for an assistant coach for the 23-24 season!**
The job is essentially a volunteer position with a very small stipend.
Gain valuable experience w/ a winning program and resume building opportunity. Please reach out and retweet this post!
Genesee CC - Batavia, NY
There are different paths to fulfill some of your lifetime basketball goals without playing “D1”. You can still play professionally somewhere w/o D1 or be a pro in life doing something you love. Go where you are wanted and be happy. It’s nothing like being WANTED and HAPPY!
Young athletes selecting colleges:
Prioritize what’s most important to you when choosing schools (stats, playing time, winning, academics, environment) - it might save you from hitting the portal down the road.
Happiness is different for each individual. Good luck!
Note to someone who does not understand the levels of juco:
A top tier D3 juco team probably beat some D1 and/or D2 jucos and there are different tiers of D1/D2 JUCOs based on regions and/or the program.
So trust your eyes when recruiting and bring guys in for workouts!
Attn: HS & AAU Coaches, Handlers, and everyone else who’s trying to place student athletes.. please do a few minutes of homework before reaching out to college coaches.
Do not assume your kid can play at a school because of the level. Every program is different.
Run your own race. The path of greatness for you will be completely different than your friends or that guy posting all his offers on Twitter. Navigate your journey throughout all the trials and tribulations and stay the course.
At this time of the basketball season, I look at it like this…if you’re in my basketball circle… and you are winning… then we are winning! If we are not playing, I’m rooting for you. It’s all love!! I got some friends still in the race!! HS & College!! Go get it!! 🏀🏀🏀🏀
I don’t remember scoring my 1000th pt in HS or 2000th pt in College but I remember the Queensbury hotel after winning NYS Federation, watching NCAA selection show at Jillians and Danville.
Those moments brought happiness to way more people than some deflated ball at my parents.
June is here! If you are still looking for a school, seriously start to consider whoever been blowing up your phone the last few months. We are starting to see quality players go places because they were wanted there. Don’t wait it out and have nowhere to go in August!
#goodluck
Derrick White is playing big for the Celtics. He played D2 basketball. It’s not about where you start, it’s about where you finish… go where you are wanted and the rest will work itself out!! Believe in yourself and believe in the process!!
Recruit: Can I play through my mistake?
Coach: Did your mistake occur trying to impact winning? Did your immediate response (getting back on D, keeping head high etc.) to that mistake attempt to impact winning?
If so, then you will have the opportunity to play through mistakes.
Any HS/Prep student-athletes looking for competitive JUCO known for moving players to the next level?
Think about us at Genesee!!
Questionnaire:
Email: Coach George tageorge
@genesee
.edu
@CoachT_George
@hoopstalkdc
@Jwash02288
Mid-July will be here before you know it when recruits that were ignoring contact from your coaching staff earlier in the year now have limited options and start hitting you with those, “Hey Coach” texts. Wise recruits respond to everyone until committed.
Somebody just told me that 1/3 of the guys in the transfer portal will not receive an offer from the same level of school they are transferring from. So either they are playing at lower level or not at all. Be wise and be smart with your college selection this year.
🚨 Attention Unsigned Prospects🚨
Anybody talented prospects looking for a school. Tryout opportunity at Genesee CC next Thursday 6/15. Contact me directly for more details.
Limited spots. Please have film available.
Coming soon: Zoom session - College Basketball - Helping Navigate The Process. I just want to help HS/Prep student-athletes & parents better understand how things work and give insight. Also will have other coaches to give different viewpoints/ideas
More information to follow…
At the point in the semester where the response to coach’s questions about grades is always, “the teacher hasn’t put all my grades in yet.”
This normally is not good…
Remember you are student athletes and your academic performance matters just as much as their athletic stats.
“Get caught up in the programs not the levels” - Coach Kaa
Go somewhere that can put you in position to be successful on/off the court and they have your best interest in mind when things going good or bad.
As a JC coach, these are vital:
1) Do all you can to make your players better people.
2) Create the best path to graduate.
3) Develop them into better players
4) Do everything possible to help them move on and get 4-year placement.
5) And everything else in between!
Recruitment 101
When being recruited by a “JUCCO”don’t tell the coach you will not be attending a JUCCO because you have bigger and better plans. Be careful with your words. Even if that “JUCCO” coach just coaches”JUCO”you have no idea who he knows. Also be good enough to there.
Basketball Players - It’s July, ask yourself these questions..
1. Are you working on your game?
2. Are you in the gym daily?
3. Keeping yourself in top physical shape?
4. Playing in any organized runs?
5. Keeping your social media clean?
6. Responding to coaches texts/calls?
At some point for the vast majority of us we have to make a decision… do we love the name or do we love the game?
You rather have 50k in debt for the name on the jersey because of the level or 10k in debt because you went somewhere that allowed you to showcase your talent?
I root for all players.. my guys, the players I coach against and the ones that slip away.. it’s so many opportunities out here for these young men if they take care of business and I just want our youth to improve their future.. whether it’s ball or whatever!
#everybodyeats
Do you love the game or do you just love the game when it is convenient for you? When things are not going your way, what do you do to make the game enjoyable for you. If you love the game, setbacks should not take away the love and you must find ways to stay in love with it. 🏀
I have a few players that can definitely play at the four year level next season. Please reach out if you need some high quality guys for your level! Happy Holidays!
Young players: 2 of the best players I’ve coached careers didn’t start as planned but ended up pretty well!
Player 1 - 4th leading scorer on HS (12ppg) - left GCC Top 5 in scoring - D1 - overseas
Player 2 - 6th man in HS - left GCC Top 5 in scoring - D2 - pro
Stay the course!
As you are approaching your basketball season as players - Remember:
- maximum effort EVERYDAY
- listen to your coaches
- be a positive force in your program
- do not assume you will play, make your coach play you with production and effort
- take care of yourself
- have fun
Count your blessings. Pray for those that might be going through tough times. Stay positive for those you love as they will need it. Be humble and stay striving for greatness.
This game of basketball has been great to me and I will continue to PAY FORWARD! Trying to help as many players as possible get placed and coaches find players appropriate for their levels!
As long as you’re not asking me to help contact someone we have to beat for the chip! 🙂
It’s May.. do you know where your current offers stand? Decisions are being made. Athletes are making commitments. Coaches are joining new programs. Ensure the lines of communication are open and don’t sit on an offer too long and ultimately find it’s no longer on the table.
I tell people that grind at this level never stops because you are recruiting for the next year but still trying to get all your current sophomores/eligible players placed into schools. And sometimes that goes into the summer with everything going on with the new climate.
Things I did at age 18:
Play ball, hang out with my cousins & friends, go to the mall, enjoy senior year of HS, stay out of trouble, and love my family.
No one should hate enough to kill 10+ people at 18. I don’t know where to start but this must improve. We can’t have this!
Embrace your race!!
Do not wait around for somewhere that might not be there! (high level offers thats not there etc.)
Pick your course! (the path set for you to become most successful and productive.)
Stay on track, finish your race, and create another lane!
@GCCCougarsBBall
no one saw us coming and we were inches away from the National Championship. So proud of our guys and everything they gave to me this year. Everyone can’t win the chip but you guys are winners and have a place in my heart forever
#family
#gdub
#wewillbounceback
MBB FINAL
@GCCCougarsBBall
falls just short of a NJCAA title with a heartbreaking overtime loss to Dallas-East Lake in the NJCAA DIII Championship, 83-80. Genesee finishes the season 24-5. Congratulations on an incredible run, Cougars!
#cougarPRIDE
Two of my guys texted me super excited about their grades and being able to graduate! Having no season was hard for a lot of these players and understandably so but seeing them push thru some adversity and make it out is what its all about!
Don’t call any coach complaining about your handler! If they got you into a school you couldn’t play at.. that allowed you 1 year to showcase your talent. If you are chasing levels then seize the day! If not, use the year to get better then transfer to your appropriate level.
I scored over 3500 points in HS (3yrs) and College(4yr) while starting about 60% of those games. Have multiple POYs and AA awards in my basement. That stuff helps you socially but I only cared about winning. 173-44 career record in games I played in. I bring this up to say…
With all the new waivers coming out, I say all NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, USCAA and anybody I missed, just give our student athletes an extra year for eligibility. It’s only right if we are trying to help the students. 2020 has been enough for them. Throw them a bone.
Two things that help me in life:
1. Never hate on anyone trying to do anything positive with themselves. We need encourage each other as much as possible.
2. Treat everyone equally different. Be fair, honest, and equal to everyone while understanding that everyone is different.
I have some current and former players looking to play college basketball next year!!! Please reach out if you need players!!! I am never going to sell you someone because I understand you have a job to do but we got some next level guys for sure!!!
Basketball players:
If you think your coach is playing out of position, go work on your game to become one of the best players on the team at that position you want to play.
Most coaches are playing to win and will play you where it most affects winning!
Bumps in the road are only bumps in the road because they are something you must go through, over, or around for completing your journey to the destination!
STAY THE COURSE!
Watching the D2 Championship.. I can name like 8 D1 conferences Trevon Hawkins can play in without question. Message: Go where you will be happy and enjoy your experience.
If you are looking for an opportunity to showcase yourself in front of one best JUCO at our level, contact us about Open House & Recruit Day - April 2, 2022. Message me for information.
@GCCCougarsBBall
will be having Open House and Recruit Day on April 2, 2022. If you are interesting in visiting our lovely campus and meeting some of staff/players while potentially working out for one of the best programs in the country, please DM us more details.
I found this video this morning and it hurts my soul that three of these young fellas are not with us anymore 🕊🙏🏽🕊🙏🏽… it doesn’t suppose to be like that! I was lucky to be a part of their lives for the brief time I was.
#alwaysfamily
My time in 5K today! I’m happy but if I can do this….. My boys better be ready with NO EXCUSES! That journey “down the road” will be here before you know it!!
#almosttime
#2milerun
@GCCCougarsBBall
Note to all prospects - any coach that can provide an opportunity for growth will receive tons of calls/emails/texts from parents, recruits, and coaches. Be smart about the process and don’t sit too long on potential offers because someone is always waiting to take your spot.
Student Athletes: March is here! Make sure you are getting better every day on and off the court! As much as we (coaches) love you and want the best for you. If you’re not doing your part and getting ready for your future... You will hurt yourself in the long run.
#doyourpart
🙏🏽
I tell guys all the time.. Does not matter where you start. You put in the work and do what’s necessary athletically and academically, four year coaches will want you.
I played D3 juco. No scholarships, Pell Grant, and was able to get a scholarship to play 4 year basketball. Juco is a different grind! Really forces you to grow up. Builds Character! I tell kids all the time you have to really love basketball to want to play juco let alone D3!
7 games in 11 days at the beginning of January after only playing 8 games in two months… guess we have to look at the bright side… get to learn about our team
As adults, we need to mentor the youth to the best of our ability. Just spoke with someone who’s encouraging a kid to attend prep school… problem is that the kid HS GPA is under 1.00.
Why would we send this kid prep? It’s not going to help them qualify and cost a lot of money!
Note to recruitable athletes: Be mindful with your social media postings!
Do not post yourself publicity using illegal or prohibited substances. Most coaches do not want to watch you drink or smoke on IG. You now become a risk with potential question marks! DONT DO IT!