How to Scout a Basketball Player

Determine if the player has a natural flow. This is somewhat subjective, but when you scout a basketball player you can usually tell if a player makes decisions and moves without stopping and thinking. Some players are very robotic and you can tell he is processing what he should do before he acts or move. Notice if every movement he makes has a purpose or not. If he is a more polished player, he will have good footwork with no wasted steps. A player with good feel for the game is more dangerous than a more talented player that is not exactly sure what he should be doing.

Locate his favorite places on the floor and determine his favorite spots. Notice where he likes to post up or if he likes getting the ball at the ball at the top of the circle or on the wing. Some players prefer to receive a pass running off of a pick or slashing to the basket. When you are scouting a player it is crucial to know where he wants to receive the ball.

Figure out what he tries to do off the dribble. Many young players can only drive one direction. More advanced players can drive with either hand. Observe what he does when he drives to the right or to the left Some players have tendencies such as pulling up for a jumper when he goes left but driving all the way to the basket if he goes right. A player will also set up his pet moves by making a fake such as going left to set up a crossover to the right.

Observe his shot. A shot can be deadly even if it is ugly as long as it is repeatable with a consistent release point. By the time you are done scouting a basketball player you need to know if a player is someone you can risk leaving alone or not.

Study whether or not he looks to involve his teammates. A player who is more concerned about doing everything himself and looks to his teammates as a last resort is much easier to stop than a player who is eager to put his teammates in a position to succeed.

Watch him closely on defense. Many players will not take their responsibilities seriously and are just waiting the get the ball back. You will also see players who are more concerned with blocked shots and steals than playing solid team defense. These are weaknesses that can be capitalized on.

Beware of what he does away from the ball. Watch to see if he fights to get rebounds, if he is in good position all the time or if he loses focus when the ball is not in his hands.

Keep an eye on him even when he is on the bench. When you scout a basketball player your job does not stop when he leaves the game. You can tell a lot about a player's attitude by seeing how he interacts with his coaches and teammates. Players who cheer and get excited on the bench and are attentive during timeouts instead of scanning the crowd for friends will be more formidable on the court.