Yup ... it is classic to my way of thinking - and a reason you get so many transfers. According to this story, her college choice is all about:
1. How much love she is getting from the coaching staff during recruiting - hopefully at least one text message a day about anything except basketball.
2. Where her friends are going or are already playing.
3. Location and how it connects to family history.
4. How much love her parents feel from the coaches.
And not a word about:
1. Coaching style and playing style of her finalists
2. Current roster
3. Development of players at the program, and specifically similar players to her.
I am not ripping DeCosta because I really know nothing about her and she didn't write this piece so maybe that second list is a very important part of her process and it just got cut or wasn't discussed with this writer. But I am making a comment about how recruits in general seem ignorant about things that will be critical to their on court development at their 'favorite' schools. Having a working relationship with coaches, and having her parents respect them is obviously important, but that has nothing to do with 140 character texts and the frequency with which they come in. Feeling comfortable with the current team is also important, but most of them are going to be strangers and become new friends.
This article as written highlights everything that a number of really good 'advice to recruits and their families' articles and blogs have pointed out as the worst reasons to select your college.
