Before you write your basketball resume ensure you gather all your statistics. Try and make it as official as possible; if the stats are published on the web gather the links to include on the resume.
If you have game tape uploaded it to YouTube. YouTube is the second most used search engine so it is wise if you want to be seen to upload your videos here. Also it makes it so much easier to share links and even embed videos on other sites.
Speak to at least two of your current or former coaches to get them on board as your reference. Some clubs like to call up your former coach to get an idea of what your character is like. Finally get a decent and respectable photo of yourself; wearing a suit or at least a collared shirt works best. I know you are writing a resume for a basketball coach but coaches do like athletes that look and act professionally. Especially US college coaches!
Writing a basketball resume is like writing a normal resume for a job application only difference is if you have game tape you add links to YouTube.
Step 1: Personal Details
The first paragraph should be your personal information such as name, age, height, weight, playing position and nationality. Nationality isn’t all that important but if you are going to try out for clubs in Europe and you have a European passport that is something you’d want to highlight.
On the left hand side of the first paragraph you can chose to add an image of yourself. Not necessary but this is something that I do. I have an image of myself in a suit. Not saying you have to suit up but at least look professional.
Step 2: Short Paragraph About Yourself (not necessary)
This section is not really something I add in as I have about 20 years of basketball experience. But if you are just starting out trying to get a high school or college gig a short blurb doesn’t hurt.
Example: Someone with limited playing experience
“I am a point guard that is passionate about passing the ball and getting my team mates involved. I believe in hard work on the defensive end and making every loose ball mine.”
Example 2: Someone with extensive playing experience
“I am a point guard with 20 years experience in USA, Australian and Europe. An accomplished play maker that lives to get my team mates involved with high motivation on the defensive end.”
The examples I can give you are endless. Rule of thumb; keep it to a paragraph of three lines. Coaches love stats not long winded self-promotion.
Step 3: Adding Your Stats
Behind video footage this is one of the most important sections. Coaches generally when contacted will want to know where you have played in the past. Most of the time if a coach doesn’t ask you where you have previously played they are just not serious.
I find the best way to display stats and team’s that I have played for in the past is by putting it all in a table. See my example below:
Manoj Ramanathan Stats Spreadsheet
This is easy enough to do in Microsoft Word. All you have to do is go to Insert then Table in the main navigation in Word. For more instructions on how to insert a table in MS Word visit MS Office support.
Note: In my table in the stats column I put assists and steals first. The reason I did that was to show the coach that this is the main stats I think about. Passing the ball and playing hard D! As you can see from my blurb above that is what I do as a point guard. Pass first, shoot only when needed. If you are a defensive big guy you want to have blocks and rebounds as your first two stats. If you are a shooting guard you’d want to put points per game and shooting percentage or free throw percentage. Put the two stats you are meant to focus on in your position.
Also, in my resume I didn’t include all my statistics. If this is something you want to do, don’t put it in the main body of the resume. Have another page after the reference section detailing all your statistics. Most of the time this won’t be something coaches look into detail at most it will be a quick glance.
Step 4: Highlight Achievements & Awards
My achievements and awards section is very slim even though I have been playing the game for about 20 years. So I decided to add a couple of statistical milestones and the small amount of awards I obtained.
This section is all about highlighting major awards you have won. Awards such as MVP, defensive player of the year, scoring title, 6th man of the year and so on. If you have a trophy cabinet filled with awards focus on the top 5.
Step 5: References
This is the last section of your resume and it isn’t important to add but if you do it adds a little more credibility to your resume. It is best to add two former or current coaches contact details. Phone number and email is perfect but at the very least have an email.
Quite recently I have had coaches in UK contact my former coaches to get a little character background check. Coaches do like speaking ball to other coaches and it can be a massive positive if the two coaches click.
For a full copy of my basketball player resume please visit Manoj Basketball Resume. Hopefully this example along with the above notes get you a nice little resume that you can email to coaches to help get you the next basketball gig.
If you have any questions about this article or honest feedback please comment below.
I’d like to leave you with a challenge; now that you have read the article. I want you to write your basketball resume. The first 5 people that email me in their basketball resumes I will send contact details to an agency that helps Basketball players find college and pro positions. Comment below or use the Ask A Question form to get in touch with me.
