Let's change the topic. Now that we're moving from the pay-to-play Apex Games, PLL Jr, etc. to actual invitation-only showcases for the 2028 class, what are the true "elite" showcases that players need to aim for:
- Best in Class
- The Spotlight
- One Percent
Anything else for rising HS freshmen? Obviously, Maverik Showtime before their sophomore and junior years and Main Stage before their junior year. What others are truly invite-only? Or what others actually draw the elite talent?
Fact: The average tenure of college coaches is about 3.5 years.
Fact: The Transfer Portal exists (for now at least), and removes all kinds of recruiting urgencies from coaches.
Fact: College coaches are well aware that 2028 is their last opportunity to load up on big numbers of single and double holdback players.
Fact: D2 coaches cannot email these boys until Jan 1, 2026, D1 is obviously Sept 1 2026. D3, JuCo, and PG are loose.
Question: Given the above facts, what high powered recruiters will be looking at any but the national top 10-20 2028s in 2024?
Take a deep breath. Your son has played exactly 0.0 minutes of HS varsity lacrosse, and hasn't stepped foot in a HS classroom, which for many athletes at prep schools, is a "first of its kind" type of academic challenge. And 99% of 2028s will still have played 0.0 minutes of varsity ball by June 2025 (even for the 2-5 per school that make a varsity roster in 9th).
This question gave me vibes of 3rd grade FCA dads talking about how their kids were "on a path to start at varsity in 9th."
