Not all children are able to continue their education to the college level. Earning a college degree can be difficult. Location, available courses need to be carefully considered, as well as the cost of enrollment. Many students therefore apply for financial aid; if they are talented in sports, they look into sports scholarships, which could also serve as a stepping stone for a career in professional sports. They test their probability of availing such scholarships during the recruitment period. Students who are gifted in basketball, for instance, try out in college basketball recruiting.
Basketball is a sport comprising of two teams, which in turn has five players each. The objective is to score by shooting a ball through a hoop, elevated on a post 10 feet from the ground. Over the years players have developed skills and styles in shooting the ball which combine both athleticism and artistry. One of these is the slam dunk.
In the early days of the NBA dunks were prohibited from play. In those days, shots were taken in spots near the basket, with players’ feet just barely leaving the floor. There was no three point line at the time, and “small” players ruled the court. It wasn’t until the late 60’s that the dunk officially came into play. And in 1971, a certain player by the name of Julius “the Doctor” Erving came onto the scene. Dr. J, as he later became called, could dunk the ball into the hoop like no other before him. He could windmill, rock the ball, go behind his back, head, and other stuff thought that no human could ever do with a basketball. Erving’s abilities didn’t go unnoticed in the NBA, many teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, New Orleans Jazz, and Boston Celtics tried to lure Erving away from the ABA, it didn’t work. NBA began to copy Dr. J’s famous dunks.
In 1976 the ABA held an all-star game, in Denver Colorado, as was the custom. That year, however, they introduced a new concept that would revolutionize the game. That year, the ABA launched the slam dunk contest. The competition included many of the ABA’s stars, including Erving, who would go on win to the contest. He did this by doing what no player has ever done: jumping from the free throw line to dunk the ball. Later that year, the ABA merged with the NBA, and Julius Erving was sold to the Philadelphia 76ers. By the 1980s dunks were talked about and attempted by fans across the United States.
Students who are serious in applying for sports scholarships need plenty of help if they are to reach their goal. Information is a key factor in increasing the likelihood of getting noticed in college basketball recruiting. The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for both student athletes and coaches involved in the process of college recruiting. Students can learn how to succeed in college basketball recruiting. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact.
