Showcase Event Creates Recruiting Path For ETHS Seniors

Brittanny Johnson has a lot of friends who are currently coaching college basketball.

One of them recently told the Evanston Township High School girls high school head coach that the pecking order for recruiting athletes has changed dramatically since COVID-19 impacted life in general --- and sports in particular.

“This coach told me that right now high school seniors are only the 4th option,” Johnson said. “First, they look at the (NCAA) transfer portal. Then, they’re looking at juco (junior college) players. And after that, they’re looking at international players.

“I feel bad for the (high school) girls in the Class of 2023 and 2024. It’s almost impossible for them to get recruited unless they’re really special. That transfer portal (created by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to provide extra years of playing eligibility and potentially more movement for individual players) has disrupted the entire system.

“Everything has changed.”

Two of Johnson’s players --- seniors-to-be Zuri Ransom and Kailey Starks --- had an opportunity to make an impression on the college coaching fraternity during the third week of June at the Batavia Showcase, an event that allowed college coaches to attend and recruit “live” according to a calendar change permitted by the NCAA.

The 3-day event sparked interest in both Ransom and Starks, two all-conference players who led ETHS to a 15-14 won-loss record last winter.

Both players excelled at the showcase, an event attended by coaches representing more than 60 schools ranging from junior colleges to Division I programs. Evanston finished 2-2 as a team at the shootout, beating Oswego East (46-32) and Burlington Central (48-27) while losing to Stevenson (37-35) and Kaneland (55-35).

In-person looks from college staffs resulted in no more firm recruiting offers for either Ransom or Starks. But now they’re on the radar of more schools than ever before, thanks to that exposure.

The pair won’t make any college choices until after the conclusion of their AAU competitions in July. Both play for the Full Package club team that has made tournament appearances already this month in Texas and Nebraska and will also compete in a tourney in South Carolina.

Previously, AAU exposure was the clearest path to a potential scholarship --- at least that’s what club coaches said to bolster their own summer programs. The fact that the NCAA put in a “live” period during the month of June when high school programs typically play in weekend tourneys and one-day shootouts, not to mention team camps at colleges and universities, created more recognition for the ballhandling, shooting, rebounding and defensive prowess of high school hopefuls who want to keep playing beyond graduation.

The perfect fit? It’s out there somewhere for players at all levels of ability and experience.

“An event like this is huge because it makes it just as important to the girls as the AAU season,” Johnson said. “It’s something for the players to work toward, the opportunity to play in front of college coaches, and that’s just awesome!

“Kids can showcase their skills here while playing with their ‘home’ team, and that’s important, because getting a Division I scholarship now is really the equivalent of winning the lottery. I think Zuri is definitely a Division I player and I always say that if Kailey were 6-feet tall (instead of 5-foot-8), she’d have her choice of schools.”

Ransom has already received official scholarship offers from 3 schools --- Bradley, Evansville and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville --- and had pretty much narrowed her list down to those opportunities. But since the event at Batavia High School, she’s also been in contact with schools like Butler, Ball State and Cornell for the first time, so her decision will remain on hold for awhile.

She led the Wildkits in scoring each of the last two seasons despite missing several games with injuries and has also set the scoring pace during summer competitions with both ETHS and Full Package.

While taking a break between showcase games in the hallways at Batavia, Ransom addressed the importance of the event. “I’m just trying to play my game and not trying to do more than I can, no matter who’s here watching,” she said. “I just think of them as part of the crowd and try not to let it get into my head.

“Everyone doesn’t get to have this experience and I’m grateful to have this opportunity. The exposure is starting to get better for me and I’ll probably make my decision in August or September. For me the (college) community is important, because you get good vibes from people who want to see you succeed. Winning games is one thing, but enjoying the people you’re with is important, too. The community aspect is the No. 1 thing for me.”

At Batavia, Starks poured in 22 points in the victory over Oswego East on the first day of play for ETHS and that drew some attention.

“I know there’s an opportunity here if I play my game and stay within myself,” she said between games. “Playing high school (schedule) is different because there’s not usually as much recognition as there is in AAU.

“I’ve been talking to schools like Brown, Navy, Illinois Wesleyan, Smith and Chicago State, but it’s hard to find the right fit. There are a lot of complications getting ready for college and I have no idea what I’m going to major in yet. The opportunities are slim to none now because of that transfer portal, but I’m using it as motivation to work even harder.”

Denison jumped into the mix for Starks’ services following the Batavia weekend and Starks has already sent them a copy of her high school grade transcripts. “They seemed pretty serious about recruiting me,” Starks noted. “I played well that weekend and also when we were in Nebraska. They said they liked what they saw.”

“Nothing much has really been happening for Kailey so far (on the recruiting trail), and she wants it so bad,” added Johnson. “There are some NAIA and Division II coaches who really like her. They love her heart and they love how hard she works. She comes early to practice and she stays late, and sometimes I literally have to beg her to go home. I believe good things will come to a kid who works like that.

“You have to go where someone really wants you. It’s all about finding the right fit, even if it’s not the level you think you want to play at.”