NFHS Develops Criteria for June Scholastic Basketball Evaluation Events

As a part of the NCAA’s initiatives to change the culture and climate in college basketball, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), with the assistance of the National High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA), has developed criteria for Scholastic Basketball Evaluation Events to be held on the last two weekends in June.

These two, three-day evaluation events must be held on an education-based campus and must meet the NCAA definition of “scholastic” – interscholastic or non-NCAA Division I facility. In addition to NFHS-member state associations, state basketball coaches associations or other state coaches associations approved by the state high school association could be involved in organizing the event. No third-party sponsors or operators are permitted to organize and implement events.

The addition of these events aimed at minimizing the outside influences in the recruitment of high school basketball players will provide Division I college coaches an opportunity to evaluate players at high school-sponsored events.

“The support of the NCAA for the criteria has underscored the importance of maintaining an education-based focus on event formats and host sites,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS executive director. “The June Evaluation Events offer the opportunity for the high school coach and program to play an important role in a student-athlete’s transition from high school to college.”

Criteria for hosting the June Scholastic Basketball Evaluation Events was developed by NFHS staff and several state association administrators, and reviewed by the NFHS Board of Directors, NHSBCA and key administrators from the NCAA.

The NHSBCA has suggested five event models for consideration by state high school associations interested in hosting an event in June 2019. The models include Showcase (individuals – instruction, drills for skills, grouped for games); Team Camp (scholastic teams – invited for instruction, drills for skills and games); Jamboree (“select” teams – formed by league or area within a state to learn, drills for skills and games); Metro Area (individuals or teams in a metro area); Multi-State (players and/or teams from several states for Showcase and/or Jamboree format). The NHSBCA also noted that a hybrid of these models is an option.

In order for an event to be approved by the NFHS, an event application must be submitted each year by the host member state association to the NFHS office at least 60 days before the start of the event. An estimated budget of revenues and expenses must accompany the application as well.

Participants involved in the June Scholastic Basketball Evaluation Events must be from a member state association school, and team events shall include only member state association schools. Event coaches must be employed (paid or unpaid) by member state association schools or state coaches associations and must complete all school and state association certification requirements, including background checks, prior to coaching in the event. 

“The NCAA Board of Governors and Division I Board of Directors have taken quick action to implement the recommendations of the NCAA Commission on College Basketball directed by Condoleezza Rice,” Niehoff said. “I am thankful for the work of our member state associations, the NFHS Board of Directors and the NHSBCA in quickly formulating the criteria for these events. Preserving and promoting the education-based aspect of the sport of basketball calls for the high school and college levels to support one another, and we are off to a tremendous start toward that end.”

Dates for the first events are June 21-23, 2019, and June 28-30, 2019.