Most people think recruiting is about highlights. 🏀It’s really about discipline, academics, and who you are when nobody’s watching. 👀Save this if you’re a parent, athlete, or coach trying to navigate the recruiting world the right way.Coach McCray said it best:

• Be a great person first
• Don’t fall for the hype too early
• Get your body, grades, and habits right
• Stay patient and keep working

That’s what separates kids who get attention from kids who actually stay recruitable.And with the transfer portal, NIL, and college sports changing fast, the ones who win long-term are the ones with a plan.What matters most now — talent, grades, or maturity?#RecruitingFromTheBleachers #StudentAthlete #CollegeRecruiting #HighSchoolBasketball #NIL

In this episode of Recruiting from the Bleachers, Michael Strange sits down again with Coach Kip Drown for a candid conversation about the biggest shifts shaping college basketball today. With nearly 500 career wins and decades of leadership experience, Coach Drown brings a steady, old-school perspective to a rapidly changing sport.They discuss the transfer portal, NIL, government involvement, and why the NCAA appears to be losing control. Coach Drown explains how these changes are affecting coaches, student-athletes, and the future of team building. He also shares why fundamentals, perseverance, and education remain essential in today’s game.The conversation also explores the rise of women’s basketball, the impact of Caitlin Clark, and how the sport continues to grow in popularity and skill. Coach Drown reflects on life after coaching, his spiritual journey, and how he is still mentoring others through teaching and writing.If you care about college basketball, player development, or the future of the sport, this episode delivers thoughtful insight and practical wisdom.

Coach Kip (Part 1) dives into the biggest changes reshaping college basketball, from NIL and the transfer portal to the pressure on coaches, players, and families. Coach Kip Drown shares honest, old-school insight on why fundamentals, perseverance, and education still matter most in today’s game. He also explains how the women’s game has surged, what coaches are facing now, and why the next generation needs more than talent to succeed. This is a thoughtful, eye-opening conversation about basketball, leadership, and life after the game.