The Truth About Basketball Recruiting: What Every Athlete & Parent Needs to Hear
Wed Sep 10 2025
What's up basketball trainers, parents and athletes?
Today we’re joined by Tucker Richardson — a former Division I guard at Colgate University who knows firsthand what it’s like to be overlooked in the recruiting process. From battling the challenges of being under-recruited to carving out a successful college career while beginning his professional basketball career, Tucker has turned his experience into a mission: helping athletes and parents better understand the fast-changing world of basketball recruiting. That mission led him to create Hacking Hoops, an online community built to guide families through the maze of exposure, training, and opportunity.
In this episode, Tucker opens up about his journey from being under-recruited to thriving at the Division I level. Along the way, he breaks down how the high school recruiting landscape has changed, the role of AAU, and why skill development and the right trainers matter more than flashy promises.
He also tackles the big questions parents often ask — from when to start AAU to whether recruiting services are really worth it — and shares how Hacking Hoops is designed to support athletes and families navigating today’s competitive environment.
00:00 Recruiting and Personal Journey of Tucker Richardson02:37 Understanding Under-Recruitment vs. Skill Level05:07 The Role of AAU in Player Development07:52 Finding Alternatives to AAU and Choosing Trainers10:47 Red Flags in Player Development Coaching13:02 Evaluating Basketball Recruiting Services17:01 Common Questions from Parents19:47 Navigating the Current Basketball Recruiting Landscape25:58 Learn more about Hacking Hoops: Building a Supportive Community
Whether you’re a high school player chasing your dream or a parent learning how to support the process, this conversation is packed with real-world advice you won’t want to miss.
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What's up basketball trainers, parents and athletes? Today we’re joined by Tucker Richardson — a former Division I guard at Colgate University who knows firsthand what it’s like to be overlooked in the recruiting process. From battling the challenges of being under-recruited to carving out a successful college career while beginning his professional basketball career, Tucker has turned his experience into a mission: helping athletes and parents better understand the fast-changing world of basketball recruiting. That mission led him to create Hacking Hoops, an online community built to guide families through the maze of exposure, training, and opportunity. In this episode, Tucker opens up about his journey from being under-recruited to thriving at the Division I level. Along the way, he breaks down how the high school recruiting landscape has changed, the role of AAU, and why skill development and the right trainers matter more than flashy promises. He also tackles the big questions parents often ask — from when to start AAU to whether recruiting services are really worth it — and shares how Hacking Hoops is designed to support athletes and families navigating today’s competitive environment. 00:00 Recruiting and Personal Journey of Tucker Richardson02:37 Understanding Under-Recruitment vs. Skill Level05:07 The Role of AAU in Player Development07:52 Finding Alternatives to AAU and Choosing Trainers10:47 Red Flags in Player Development Coaching13:02 Evaluating Basketball Recruiting Services17:01 Common Questions from Parents19:47 Navigating the Current Basketball Recruiting Landscape25:58 Learn more about Hacking Hoops: Building a Supportive Community Whether you’re a high school player chasing your dream or a parent learning how to support the process, this conversation is packed with real-world advice you won’t want to miss.