How does a player choose?

What do you believe is the MAIN reason a player picks a School?

  • School history/reputation

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Location

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other players on roster

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    53
  • Poll closed .
Apr 12, 2026
197
296
63
I picked coach. I think every player is different but I have a hard time believing we got outbid on 30 high school kids. It’s not location or school history. Does it help, sure. But calipari was getting players to conference USA Memphis. If location mattered, Hawaii would be a top team every year. Other players in the roster would be my 2nd choice. Competitors want to win. But pope is our biggest problem
 

jedwar

Heisman
Moderator
Dec 30, 2002
19,976
34,080
113
I think it would go like this as far as most important factors. But I think the money and the coach are both huge factors. If the coach is not connecting with the player, they will take less money.

Money
Coach
Other players
location
school history
 
Jun 22, 2023
163
345
63
Not this simple, but I do think in most cases, money offered is the most heavily weighted factor

But then there’s the example of highly ranked/recruited high school player A being offered 750k from Arkansas/Cal and that same player being offered 1M at Kentucky.

Yes, money may be the most heavily weighted factor imo, but when multiple other factors combined are bigger than money, that’s where we are losing.

Yea, we may be winning the money race, but we are losing the next 3 to 4 important factors in most of these transfers/recruits eyes.

The money will always have us in the conversation, but doesn’t guarantee success.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BBN-N-WI and jedwar

jedwar

Heisman
Moderator
Dec 30, 2002
19,976
34,080
113
Not this simple, but I do think in most cases, money offered is the most heavily weighted factor

But then there’s the example of highly ranked/recruited high school player A being offered 750k from Arkansas/Cal and that same player being offered 1M at Kentucky.

Yes, money may be the most heavily weighted factor imo, but when multiple other factors combined are bigger than money, that’s where we are losing.

Yea, we may be winning the money race, but we are losing the next 3 to 4 important factors in most of these transfers/recruits eyes.

The money will always have us in the conversation, but doesn’t guarantee success.
Well said.
 

Bleedin Blue in Ohio

All-Conference
Feb 3, 2013
486
1,028
93
1. $$$
2. Does this move help or hurt NBA potential.
3. Does team have a chance at Final 4/Natty
4. Do they like Coach and trust him to meet 2 and 3.
 

BBNinSCar

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2013
1,477
2,451
81
You’re just kidding yourself if you think there is any reason other than money. Puff Daddy said it best.
 
Jun 30, 2025
518
778
93
1. Money

2. Tiebreakers if financial opportunity is the same:

Family
Relationship to coach
Relationship to place
 

gtown965

All-Conference
Feb 12, 2026
473
1,330
93
Money Cash GIF
 

BellyBall

Junior
Jul 18, 2020
152
358
63
1) Money
2) Can they get me to the NBA
3) Fit/ relationship with the coach.
4) Nothing else matters
 

BMR1987

Senior
Mar 5, 2025
256
597
87
Good coach, playing time, and money are the main factors. Teams that can offer all 3 each portal cycle will be the ones that win big in this era. IMO, the coach will be the ultimate deciding factor more often than not.

Location and wanting to play with great players/win a championship are less important factors but will still play a role in some decisions. A "name brand" matters even less than that, only a select few will agree to a limited role just to say they got to play at a Kentucky.
 

ChicagoCat90

All-American
Oct 12, 2014
2,103
6,295
97
Money first. Then a coach that won't screw up their chances of making more money in the future.
 

GACatsFan7

Sophomore
Dec 21, 2022
72
194
33
I think money is the primary factor that draws players to certain schools. They learn which programs are interested and willing to pay the highest price, then the coach is the one who seals the deal when the money offered is close to equal.