Although not a new concept, the Elite Camp has been a longstanding tradition in college football, soccer, softball, and baseball. Over the past decade, college basketball programs have increasingly incorporated these camps into their summer camp offerings.
An Elite Camp is an event overseen by the NCAA (for NCAA institutions) where high school prospects, regardless of whether they are being actively recruited by the hosting school, can visit the school's campus and showcase their basketball skills in front of the coaching staff. Typically, Elite campers also receive a guided tour of the athletic facilities and campus during their visit. It's important to note that attending an Elite Camp should not be mistaken for an unofficial or official visit, as per NCAA terminology.
Some schools require an athletic physical to be completed prior to participation, and they must charge a fee, regardless of a camper’s ability or recruiting reputation. Most Elite Camps occur in late summer (late July, early August, and even in September).
I am a proponent of them if they are selected wisely. Let me explain a real situation that happened a few years ago:
I once coached a talented player who was recognized as a third-team All-State player. He had the potential to play at the Division I level, but was considered on the edge of being a prospect. We enrolled him in Elite Camps within the Ohio Valley Conference and the Horizon League. He performed impressively and caught the attention of coaches from the hosting schools. Currently, he is attending a Division II college on a full scholarship, as Division II coaches recognized his potential for Division I. Had he attended an Elite Camp at a Power-5 level, he would not have garnered the same recruiting interest as he did at smaller camp levels. This would have caused Division II schools to overlook his Division I caliber.
Below is what our staff sent our players this week:
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