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Survey Says: Awkward interactions prospects have had with coaches

Jett Howard
Jett Howard

Each week, Rivals.com’s national recruiting analyst Rob Cassidy asks a handful of elite basketball prospects a survey question and compiles the answers in this space. This week, he takes on one of the underpublicized parts of the recruiting process: the awkwardness that can arise during player-coach interactions.

Below, five touted prospects outline the most awkward interactions they’ve had with college coaches.

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BREAKING DOWN NBA FINALS ROSTERS: Heat | Lakers

2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position

2022 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team

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THE QUESTION: WHAT’S THE MOST AWKWARD INTERACTION YOU’VE HAD WITH A COLLEGE COACH?

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“Probably when coaches just straight say, 'I already know where you’re going.’ It’s all based on my dad. I understand it. It’s a little annoying, but I get it. It doesn't really turn me off them or anything. I still listen to what they have to say after, but it’s a little weird.” - Four-star guard Jett Howard, son of Michigan head coach Juwan Howard

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“The Iowa State coach is pretty funny. So, with him, it’s not awkward, like, in a bad way at all. He sends me pictures about who’s in the NBA from Iowa State. He sends me these pics and stuff, but I haven’t talked to him yet. So that’s kind of funny." - Four-star forward Dillon Mitchell

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“I really had it easy. I didn’t have anyone say anything too weird that made me pause or anything, but you never know when these coaches are going to call or text you. I would be sleeping early in the morning and, like, six coaches would call me in row.” - Texas commit Tamar Bates

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT ORANGEBLOODS.COM

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“I hate the generic questions. I had some coach ask me what my favorite food was. It’s like, 'What does that have to do with anything? Do you care? Why would you ask me that?' ” -Four-star F Eric Dailey Jr.

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“The conversations would always get awkward when they would ask me who the other contenders are. I didn't want to tell them that, so it would get a little awkward. They just wanted to know who they were up against. I didn’t really like showing my hand like that. I wanted to keep everything between me and my family because I wanted the coaches to recruit me the same as they would if they weren’t up against anyone.” - Louisville commit Michael James

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LOUISVILLE FANS AT CARDINALSPORTS.COM

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