How to Get in the NBA

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: October 20, 2024 Fact Checked

Making it onto a professional basketball team is no easy task, but it’s definitely possible. Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or college, setting your sights on the NBA can only improve your game, so don’t be afraid to dream big.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Playing Your Best

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1
Practice shooting from everywhere on the court. Practice shooting at close range, longer range and then 3-point range so you become a dexterous, well-rounded shooter. It can help to work on your shooting ability in continuous three-week rotations, spending one week working on each type of shot. You can never be too precise.
- Try to maintain a strong shooting average: At least 60% average from the 2-point field goal, 40% from 3-point line and 75% from free throw line.^{[1]
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2
Record video of yourself playing in basketball games. Watching your body move when you make good baskets and when you miss can help you tweak things that are off and improve your game. If you’re in middle or high school, have a friend or parent attend a game to help you record some video footage. If you’re in college, many teams have media assistants who record games for the university. Ask your coach if you can review some game footage.
- It can be helpful to compile your best footage from these games into a highlight reel for potential NBA recruiters, if you are in college. Edit the video to keep lagging moments to a minimum and keep your video under 5 minutes.^{[2]
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3
Play with people who are better than you are. You become a stronger and more strategic basketball player when you are challenged by someone whose skills are superior to yours. Elevate your game by regularly scrimmaging other players who push you to be better. If you are in high school and are already the best basketball player you know, try to join a local AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team to find people whose playing ability really pushes you to a new level.
- Top AAU teams are tracked by prominent college recruiters and are one of the top ways to get athletic scholarships. These regional teams attract top players from many high schools, so recruiters like to visit them to see a bigger pool of talented kids. Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Josh Smith, for example, all grew up playing AAU basketball. You can find an AAU club in your area at aausports.org.
4
Amp up the difficulty of your drills. Add some intensity to normal running and practice drills by increasing their difficulty. You could try running in sand or dribbling in gravel. Doing this will make your skills sharper and increase your endurance. You can do this whether you’re in middle school, high school or college.
- Create a plan of what you're going to do each day to help you become a better player.^{[3]
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5
Start a strength-training regimen to build muscle. Increasing your physical strength will enable you to make shots from farther away and muscle around people who guard you. Start a strength-training regimen with a coach who has an understanding of basketball. They can tailor your exercises to your body and your sport’s specific needs.^{[4]
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- If you are in high school, contact your school’s athletic director and ask if they can connect you with a lifting coach who has basketball experience.
- If you are in college, your school likely already has strength-training experts on staff. Contact your athletic administrator to see if you can book some one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer.
Basketball requires lots of running up and down the court, so it is imperative to maintain your physical condition so you can play your best from the beginning of the game to the end. Staying well hydrated, getting 8 hours of sleep a night, and eating healthy foods will all help your body function optimally and increase your endurance.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Standing Out From the Crowd

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1
Find the right coach. If you’re in middle school or high school, your school basketball team likely has a coach already. If you’re not getting much individual attention from that coach though and feel really passionately about improving your basketball game, consider hiring a private coach. A private coach can give you personalized feedback to help you grow more quickly as a player and work on weak areas of your game.
- Coachup.com can connect you with a private skilled basketball tutor in your area.
- Working with a coach one-on-one enables you to build a more intimate mentor-mentee relationship. When interviewing potential private coaches, look for someone you have good rapport with and whose accomplishments you respect. It is a bonus if they have connections with influential recruiters.
2
Use every skill you have to your advantage. If you have a playing skill that is particularly strong, make it your own. There are lots of great basketball players, but you’ll need to distinguish yourself from the pack as a specialist in one area if you want to be in the NBA.
- If you are particularly fast, for example, try to bring speed to every skill you perform on the court. People will notice that this is a unique strength of yours as a player.
3
Be a leader on and off the court. Attitude matters. A basketball team can’t function with a roster full of prima donnas because it is a team sport. Make yourself appealing to prospective recruiters by being a leader and exemplary person both on the off the court. Everyone wants a player who will get along with others and inspire the team to be better.^{[6]
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- Learning from your mistakes and setting a high standard are two great ways you can step up your leadership game.
- In the end, it will be your work ethic, commitment, and determination that help you succeed as a basketball player.^{[7]
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  Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- Don’t be afraid to approach your coach at school, whether high school or college, and ask if there’s a way to assume more responsibility on the team.
4
Play as many tournaments as possible. Getting in front of talent scouts from major universities (if you are in high school) and NBA teams (if you are in college) are key to advancing in your basketball career. Attend as many tournaments as possible, as these are places important coaches and influencers go to see and select the next generation of players. The more influential people who see you play the better.^{[8]
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- If you’re in high school, many AAU leagues participate in regional tournaments your school may not. You don’t need to sign up for anything extra, but the schedule can be grueling on top of your other commitments. If playing in the NBA is really your dream, try to attend as many as you can.
- If you’re in college, your school basketball team already participates in all the right tournaments. Make the most of recruiting opportunities at regional conference tournaments and March Madness by playing the best you possibly can.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Positioning Yourself for Professional Play

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1
Make your high school team so you can get onto a college team. You must be 19 to play in the NBA, and most players are drafted out of college. Excel to the best of your ability in high school and AAU basketball, so you can play at a competitive basketball school such as Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina. Top NBA recruiters usually only consider players from Division 1 basketball programs.^{[9]
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- A private basketball coach can help step up your game if you’re not where you need to be.
- If you’re in high school, good grades will help round you out as a full “package” and make you more attractive as a student-athlete. Think like a recruiter: You want to be an easy sell to whomever they need to make your case to. If you need an academic tutor to bring your grades up, contact your dean’s office. They can connect you with a tutor who will meet your needs.
- Most high school and college coaches will have a good sense of which recruiters will be at specific games or showcases. Ask your coach if they have any information about this, if you’re hoping to connect with someone.
2
Play internationally if possible. The majority of NBA players who are not selected out of college programs play internationally prior to joining the league. If you attended a D2, D3 university or junior college, this can be a good route into the NBA. International play exposes you to a greater variety of strong players and different basketball styles. If you are an outstanding player but don’t feel like college is for you, it might be helpful to seek out an international basketball league that has fewer age and eligibility requirements than the NBA.
- Hoopsagents.com has a big international directory to connect you with an agent in your desired country to get started.
3
Hire an agent. If you are at a high level of play but haven’t been approached by a recruiter yet, it may be that you are past college age or just haven’t gotten the right people to see you play. Contact an agent in the U.S. to help facilitate important meetings to get your professional career on track.
- Hoopshype.com has a list of the top basketball agents and links to their sports agencies so you can contact them. You can see how many players each agent has placed and where, if you have your heart set on a specific team.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What does it take to become a professional basketball player?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

You have to have actions to back up your dreams. Work with your coach to make up a plan of the things you're going to do on a daily basis that are going to move you one step at a time in the direction of your goals. In the end, it all comes down to your work ethic, commitment, and determination.

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Question

What are the odds of making it into the NBA?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

It's very difficult to make it that far. However, if you keep working toward your goal, doors may open in other areas that you never thought possible, so don't give up.

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Can I get into the NBA if I live outside of the US?

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Yes! Plenty of players have gotten into the NBA from all over the world, including Australia, England, and South America. Try registering, or play overseas – if you do well enough, you can request to play in the NBA.

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Build up strength by exercising your body and practice a good shooting form, and you'll be able to eventually easily shoot those 3's!

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Consider trying a basketball summer camp. You will usually get playing time.

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Always try to stand out on the court in the most positive way possible. Have a signature move and master it, and try to make sure as many eyes are on you as possible!

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Be sure to watch a lot of basketball games to observe how professionals play. Start by going on YouTube and looking up highlights of your favorite player.
Never give up on yourself! Even if you don't end up playing professionally, keep working on your skills and your hard work may just pay off.
Always practice at game speed so that it won't feel so difficult once you're in the flow of a real game.

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Warnings

Do not take drugs to help you perform better, this is illegal and you will be kicked off the team.

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Be realistic about the position you want to play. Compare your height, and build to the average NBA player in that position

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Do not get involved with the wrong people or do drugs. Drugs can reduce your ability to perform athletically.

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