Want to play in college? You might need a wake up call.


“The greatest strength any human being can have is to recognize his or her own weaknesses.” — Pat Summitt

Hey Reader!

Most college-bound players are delusional about their skills. Not just a little off. Way off.

And that’s not just my opinion.

I’ve spent a lot of time talking to college coaches. The one thing they all agree on? Most high school players who are trying to get recruited have no idea how far off they are from what it takes to play at the college level. Coaches use the word “delusional” a lot.

So, how do you figure out where you actually stack up?

Start by doing a self assessment. You can use our free Player Assessment to help you. Over 500 players have already downloaded it. This isn’t just about basketball skills. It’s about academics, character, work ethic, mental toughness, even how you act on the bench. It’s the stuff college coaches actually care about.

Filling it out might be the wake-up call you need. But the real challenge? You have to be brutally honest with yourself. And, when you’re done, hand it to your coach or someone who really knows your game. See if they agree. (I wish I had this assessment in high school. Looking back, I think I might have been a little delusional, too.)

And here’s the advice I give every player who says they want to play in college: watch college games. All levels from JUCO to D1. Watch players at your position. See how they move, how they defend, how they handle pressure. Compare yourself. Not your highlight reel or your best game. The real you.

Bonus tip: After you’ve watched a few college games, go back and look at how you rated yourself. Still think you’re close? Or is there work to do?

Keep grinding.

Brussels Basketball, BNXT Pro League

P.S. That's my sister Tess in the header image!

3 Hacks From Me

Hack 1: Watch Full College Games. Not Just Highlights

Don't just watch, study games at every level—D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO. Pay attention to players who play your position to see how you stack up. What are they doing that you’re not?

Hack 2: Ask for Honest Feedback

The best players are not only skilled, they're coachable. They treat criticism as advice. Ask anyone for feedback - coaches, trainers, teammates, even your parents. If you’re only listening to people who hype you up, you’re setting yourself up to get blindsided.

Hack 3: Evaluate your Skills, Mindset, and Readiness—On and Off the Court.

Where do you stack up, and what do you need to work on? Find out with our comprehensive player assessment. Use it as a checklist to identify your strengths and weaknesses on the court, off the court, in the classroom, and in your head.

2 Questions for Growth

  • When was the last time you watched a college player at your position and compared your skills to theirs?
  • How brutally honest are you willing to be about your game right now, and are you ready to face the real gaps between where you are and where you want to be?

Reply to this email and let me know!

1 Free Player Self Assessment

Download our free, 18-page comprehensive self assessment. The assessment is also available as an editable Google doc.

Check out our other free resources at HackingHoops.com.

Got Questions? Need Game Feedback? Ask a Pro.

Book a 1-on-1 Mentoring Session with Tucker Richardson

Get personalized guidance and insider knowledge from Tucker Richardson in a 1-on-1 “Ask Me Anything” session. From one offer out of high school to Colgate’s all-time leader in assists, steals, and three-pointers, 4 trips to March Madness, and now playing pro overseas, Tucker knows the path.

If you’re a player (age 10 and up), get personalized game feedback, advice on building confidence, help with the recruiting process, and more. Mentoring calls are also for parents seeking guidance and coaches looking to expand your playbook. Tucker is ready to share his journey and help shape yours.

P.S. Check out my YouTube Channel where I share my journey and knowledge and give basketball advice to young athletes.

Join the Hacking Hoops Community risk-free for 30 days!

And get a 45-minute Deep Dive session with Tucker after becoming a member! ($150 value!)

What if you had a team of experts, mentors, and resources to guide you through every step of your basketball journey? What if you could connect with others who share your passion and drive to excel in the game?

The Hacking Hoops community is designed for serious high school players—and the parents and coaches who support them—who are committed to taking their game to the next level whether that's high school varsity, post-grad, or any level of college.

Led by Tucker Richardson, Patriot League Player and Defensive Player of the Year turned pro, this is where aspiring athletes - and their parents - come together to learn, grow, and prepare for success in basketball and beyond.

Here’s what you’ll find:

  • Exclusive interviews with college coaches, players, and other experts sharing insider strategies
  • Personalized feedback on your game and skills, highlight videos, emails to coaches, player resumes, and more
  • Templates and tools to simplify recruiting: checklists, samples, and proven approaches
  • A network of players, parents, and coaches supporting each other's growth

This isn’t just a community—it’s your competitive edge.

Start your free 30-day trial today and discover how Hacking Hoops can help you elevate your game and take control of your basketball future.

Because basketball doesn't have to end after high school!

Best,

Tucker

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Hacking Hoops

I'm Tucker, a pro basketball player overseas who is helping young athletes on their journey to playing college ball. I speak to players on my popular YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok channels and through my letter and hacks in the Hacking Hoops newsletter.

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