get a SAT rating. (education standard)

try to find players who have been to college and get info on how they got there.

My son contacted 5 colleges he picked off the NET and sent a resume, SAT score and his swimming times. (he was a swimmer not basketball player). 3 colleges replied with 1 requesting he be there in 3 wks. He went and spent 4 yrs there.

Don't be overly reliant on sending resumes and hoping to get interest that way.

helper's son managed to do it because he was a swimmer - obviously swimming times are measurable. If you swim 1min 34 secs in Australia, your going to swim 1min 34secs anywhere (give or take a bit each way).

With basketball however, trying to cross-compare the standard of basketball in Australia to that in USA can be difficult. You can't assume that college coaches know what level your competition is.

But as helper notes, do your homework and study for the SAT's really hard.

Don't just try wing it. I found it very weird. I grew up in NZ/Australia and the curriculum of the SAT was very different. I studied hard and went all out on preparation and got a 1940.
NB: You will be a student-athlete. At every step in the process, everyone will remind you that "student" comes before "Athlete", so don't think that just being a great basketball player will pre-approve you.

My other piece of advice: decide on what level you think you are at/be frank and get outside opinion.

Remember that NCAA D1/D2/NAIA only offer scholarships. NCAA D3 offers no scholarships for athletics - found this to be a real shame as I saw some great D3 colleges around.

You can never do enough research on this topic. You're talking about entering a system where you will be busy 12 hours a day (either in class, practice or what have you). If the support isn't there, the culture isn't right, the people aren't right or the actual academic component isn't what you'd hoped..my advice would be don't go. Just go into everything with a holistic view and realise to look at every facet of the college from the basketball to the classroom structure to the living arrangements.

Trinity College in Gawler run the SAT test out there.

Thought of some questions that might be useful to others:

Do people have information on the usual timings of all this process?

Obviously if you're one of the better players (AIS, U18 and U20 Nationals) the colleges will be calling you and flying you over, but at what point would someone be looking at getting on the front foot? What age and part of the year?

Is there a level of ability at which it's just not really worth bothering?

#334, A 3 year degree in Australia/NZ can cost $25k ish. A 4 year degree probably $33k. ish.

A full-ride scholarship will cover all this and some.

Your right about certain professions e.g. Law was never going to work for me.

However, in some areas, Australian employers would really value U.S. Degrees.

Go over and walk on

This maybe of interest. Every time you hear of an Aussie baller getting a scholarship do some research on the program, their roster and coaching staff. You would be surprised how many times the coaching staff will have a connection with Australia. It's often an assistant who has played back in the day in Australia for a season or two.

Most schools have excellent bio of staff including direct email for each coach. And remember there are Aussies coaching at NCAA. Off the top of my head check out

John Rillie - Boise State
Chris Harriman - St.Louis
Mike Czepil - Nichols State (from Hoppers Crossing)
Daniel Leeworthy - Western State Colorado

Couple with Aussie connections from memory

Layfayette (Dan Trist plays there) Head Coach Fran O'Hanlon I think played in Australia. Plus Assistant John O'Connors has connections

Miami Ohio (Jaryd Eustice & Josh Oswald play there) Assistant Rick Ducket

Albany (NY) Devlin,Rowley, Hooley. Assistant Coach Jeremy Friel recruits Australia.

Also, be careful about playing in tournaments involving prize money, payments, rewards or gifts.

The NCAA have (rightly) relaxed these rules - allowing you to earn money up to the value of normal living expenses.

But, be careful about playing SEABL, CABL, QBL etc.

College coaches will shy away from you if there is an eligibilty issue. If you are going to a big name school they don't have a problem (e.g. Tai Webster last year). But if your a run of the mill player they will be inclined to get someone from the States and avoid any messy eligibility problems.

Mitch McCarron ran into some problems at Metro his first year due to his QBL involvement

"Is there a level of ability at which it's just not really worth bothering?"

Depends on the player and his position. Imo and correct me if im wrong its tougher for a guard from Australia to make it in the States - you have to be a scoring threat, be able to defend lightning quick guards and if your a PG control your team. If your a big you have a nice chance of carving a niche in college as a rebounder or a guy who can give the starters a rest here and there without doing too much offensively or defensively.

Its all about finding a niche. I know some great players who have struggled over there. I know some ok players who have done extremely well also.

@anon #334 I suspect you are just trolling, however I would remind those reading that not everyone who wants to go to a US college on a basketball scholarship is there to do so because they want to play professionally.

Many go for the experience, to further their education without winding up with a HEX debt afterwards and of course to improve their skills and knowledge.

Whether it works out or not, people can do this at any level, Div1 down to Junior College, in their eyes the experience alone would not be a waiste of time...

Are you good enough?

First question to answer and is that confirmed by any persons with basketball knowledge.

Believing in yourself is a must but you really have to be a good player or a better path is on-shore.

Anon 400

You obviously researched what was required but do you know if there are agents that can assist with this process?

If your good enough the universities will find you, if your on the fringe you need to do the leg work.Ryan Miller who played out here was at Auburn and i believe is now at UNLV on the coaching staff.

Been over and recieved a part scholarship freshman year / full ride my next 3 years - remember buyer beware, US coach that recruits you may not be there when you arrive and there is a good chance he wont be there when you leave.
there is lots of ways of doing it and the best way get in touch with your local coach. they can help put some high lights and drill tapes together. Plus 1 full length league game something the coaches can gage you off.
I completed my SAT before and i had my scores ready for the coaches.
Good luck for anyone attempting to go over - australian education vs a us education, hands down australian education but for experince over there i had wont be forgotten that for sure.

College Kid

There are a number of organisations in Melbourne and Sydney that will act as your agent to help you approach US colleges.

Of course you will have to pay some money to use their services.

If you just want a starting point try Showtime Basketball.

Or just Google college recruiting services in Australia.

There's an article in the New York Times this week about rugby scholarships being the next big thing. For girls too. Much less competition than for basketball and swimming.