Getting evaluated

Live Periods, AAU & Camps

How and when college coaches watch basketball recruits in person. Rules checked Oct 20, 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on the linked sources and with each school's compliance office. This is general guidance, not legal or eligibility advice.

What a live period is

"Live period" is the common name for an NCAA evaluation period: dates when D1 coaches can watch you play off campus but can't talk to you there. Outside those windows in spring and summer, D1 coaches generally can't evaluate club basketball at all. Exact dates are on the timeline.

NCAA-certified events (club/AAU)

  • D1 coaches can only attend spring and summer nonscholastic (club) events that the NCAA has certified.
  • To play in a certified event, you need an NCAA Eligibility Center account (a free Profile Page works) and a completed account in the NCAA Basketball Certification System. A parent or guardian should set it up, not the club coach. Teams and coaches have to be registered too.
  • There are residency rules for certified-event teams (generally your state or a neighboring state, with exceptions). Ask your club director, and check the NCAA guidelines.

June scholastic events (high school teams)

  • D1 coaches can also watch approved high school team events in June. In 2026 these were June 12-14 and June 26-28 for boys and June 18-20 for girls. In 2027 they're June 11-13 and June 25-27 for boys and June 17-19 for girls.
  • Events are approved by the NCAA, your state high school association (through the NFHS) or the NJCAA. Your high school coach usually knows which one your team is attending.

Grassroots circuits

  • Most top club teams play on a shoe-company circuit or an independent schedule. On the boys' side the best-known are Nike's EYBL, adidas' 3SSB, Under Armour's UAA and PUMA's Pro16. On the girls' side there are Nike Girls EYBL, adidas' girls circuit and Under Armour's girls circuit, plus independent events.
  • A circuit is not required to be recruited. Plenty of D1, D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO players come from independent club teams and high school play. What matters is being at events college coaches attend at your level, and having film.
  • Ask any club before you pay: which certified events will you attend, which college levels usually watch, and how many games are guaranteed?

NBPA Top 100 Camp, USA Basketball and other invitation events

The 2026-27 men's calendar lists separate evaluation dates (to be determined) for the NBPA Top 100 Camp, the NBA G League Combine and the NBA Draft Combine. These are invitation-only.

NCAA College Basketball Academy

The NCAA ran a summer College Basketball Academy in some recent years, but it did not hold one in summer 2025, and it doesn't appear on the 2026-27 D1 calendars. NCAA rules still mention it, so check for an announcement before planning around it. (Source: NCAA.org, Jan 2025; 2026-27 D1 MBB and WBB recruiting calendars.)

College camps

  • College camps are open to anyone, and coaches can work with you there, but schools can't give recruits free or reduced admission.
  • Pick camps at schools where you could realistically play, and email the staff beforehand.
  • In D1 men's basketball, the July evaluation periods also include college camps.

Sources (checked Oct 20, 2026)

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