Can my son make the team just because he is tall?

My 14-year-old son is 6'3" and projected to be 6'9". He has played basketball since age 5 but has never played for a select team (CYC youth league only). Freshman try-outs are in November. Do high school coaches take kids just because they are tall and then work with them? I really think he has potential, he just needs to play more.

I'd like to add that he has great shooting form that comes very naturally (people have commented on it), he plays a great defensive game, and he plays a lot on his own in our yard where we have a hoop with glass backboard and a painted half court on the asphalt. The competition at his private h.s. is tremendous, so I'm just nervous for him :) 100 kids try out and 24 total make it (2 freshman teams).

I'm a sports nut - grew up with a dad who played pro baseball and brother who played college baseball and basketball, so athleticism is definitely in our blood!

Hey bballmom,

First wow- it's rare to find a ballmom posting on here- so that's cool that you want to support your son like that!

If your son has been playing since age 5- i think he should have picked up some skills and so with his height he has a very good shot to make the team. i remember when i played in high school there were some kids who were not the most skilled but because of their size and some for their bulk made the team- they weren't starters but they were there to contend against the big guys of other teams.

If your son has some skills- the coaches well work with him- because there's a cliche' in basketball that says you can't teach 7 foot- for his age range- you can't teach 6 foot 3. You can't teach someone to be taller-but if you have someone that tall- you can work with him.

Part of it will depend on him- how hard he is willing to work and how he responds to coaches who will push him. The more he plays the better that will help his game.. the coaches will help him to improve on the parts of his game that need help- but he has to be willing to put in the work.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

If he has potential then its a definite yes. First of, he has to believe in himself that he can make the team. If school hasn't started yet for him, you should go to tell him that he should go to some basketball camps, specifically the ones that pro basketball teams set up. Obviously, if his highschool team is very bad at basketball then he would get picked (no offence to your son). That happens to my highschool all the time.

as far as the height thing goes i was 6'4" at the age of 14 and was supposed to reach 6'10" right now i am 21 and only 6'7" so i don't know how much he's going to grow, but i have dealt with coaches that will put him on the team just because he's tall and hopefully work with him. the best way to ensure that he makes the team is that he works out on his own with conditioning and basketball drills to work on his skill set. i wish him the best of luck...let me know how he does

If he can play, they'll take 'em.

Freshman teams normally take up 20 people on their teams, but playing time must be earned. If he has the tools to be a post player like agility in the paint, a nice inside shot, and inside defense, he should have no problem making the team.

Some coaches that desperately want height since there is a lack of it will sometimes take height over skill but it's rare.

As long as he has played basketball and has the basic fundamentals any coach in High School will at least give him a chance and work with him. Expecially if they see there is potential. Now if your son is tall and never touched a basketball in his life, i think they wouldn't unless he had god given natural ability.

If your son can do the basics, like rebound and play defense, they'll take him. Not everyone can score with tremendous skill, and thats okay.

I made freshmen team when I was a freshmen and other 6 footers with barely any experience made it because Coach saw potential in them. So certainly he'll make it.

If I was the coach I would pick him. If he have been playing since 5 then he should have skills. In high school, you take as much height as you can. A team carries 12-15 players, so he should have a good chance. Good luck and have fun because it goes by fast.

If he can play then its likely, because usually in high school they don't have a lot of tall people so that's an advantage and as we all know he's going to have to develop on his own mostly because you can't teach tall

I think they would take him as a second string Center. It all depends if he is a good defender, shooter,blocker stuff like that. But your son is really tall.

yes they took the tall player over my friend who has more skill than him and was way better than him but since he was tall he made the team

nope.

no they dont unless the team is needy of a big man.now your 14yr. old son is 6'3, athletic and a family who loves basketball.obviously he has some skill.i personally play for my school but im not 6'3 im 5'10 and the rest of my team is 6'2 and taller and a majority of them aint offensive players but have good defensive skill.since your son has good defense dont worry about him making the team cause he will no matter what.only thing h.s coaches look for is big man who plays defense.but make sure he still work on his offense though but even harder on defense