One of the original members of Nike Skills Academy, who has coached seven State Championship Teams, one YBOA Champion, and three AAU National Champions, along with a 97% winning average.  Coach Norris Bo Bell’s resume speaks for its self. When it comes down to basketball, winning and being recruited, its safe to say Coach Bo Bell knows what he is talking about.  Coach recently, sat down with D1spects, to give tips and information about what the scouts are looking for.

D1spects: How’s it going coach, thank you for coming by and speaking with us.

Coach Bo Bell: No problem man, thank you for having me.

D1spects: At the recent D1spects’ Ultimate Exposure Camp what were you trying to teach or help the players improve on?

Coach Bo Bell: Our goal coming in was to give them [players] a basic understanding of how to play the game right.  When you come to a camp, you’re not just coming to showcase your skill level, or the newest move you learned off the streets. You’re coming to improve, leaving a better basketball player; then you were on the first day of camp.  You learn the game the right way.  We broke them down and gave the players structure.  It’s like this; we gave them a canvas and they did the painting; we helped them learn how to not only play the game but to be a better person, and accountable for their actions on/off the court.  We also stressed fundamentals; we preach basic fundamentals and basic reading and reacting to game situations.  This is what the scouts want to see, how does a player read and react different situations.

D1Spects: What players impressed you the most?

Coach Bo Bell:  There were a few players that showed me a lot at the camp. There were a lot of  potential D1 prospects.  However, some players relied on their athleticism and skills too much. But after working with them, they started playing the way the game was supposed to be played, the way a scout wants to see, when they are interested in a player. But to answer your question, I really like the MVP’s Jeremy Turner, Austin Lee, Rodney Scott, and Rashard Green, especially Green.  I saw a lot of fundamentals from Senior Tyler Stanley. In the young age group Aaron Augistine really is something to watch out for, and Adam Ellis has the potential to be very good.

D1spects: How long have you been teaching and developing young players:?

Coach Bo Bell : I have been doing this for over 35 years. At my academy, I teach a lot of different things.  85% of all this is mental, once u condition yourself mentally; the rest of basketball is simple. I teach correct techniques, everything I teach has a purpose. For example if we are doing drills, I want you to do drills, just like in a game situation.  I allow no standing around, because in a game your not just standing around, you have to be alert.  I also teach a lot of ball-handling movement, very rarely are you just going to stand there and dribble, you have to know the spots on the floor. I teach kids how to play with both of their legs; a lot of kids are only playing with one leg.  What I mean is they [players] are use to pivoting and jumping of the left leg, on the left side.  I teach the awkward way, I teach them how to jump off the left leg and do left hand lay-ups, do it enough they start to feel comfortable.  I give them different drills during practice so they can have more options in game time situations.  The more options you have on the court, the more advantages you have against your opponent.

D1Spects: I’m 6’6 Junior with great size; does that already make me a candidate to be scouted?

Coach Bo Bell: No, you have to be able to play, if they choose you to come to their school, they expect you to be at that level already.  Most colleges have winning players, usually schools are not looking to develop [players], for the most part they want you to be able to play, and learn their system.  Your high school or AAU coaches are responsible for your development, not the schools [college]’. If your 6’6 in the 11^th that window of opportunity is starting to close, the older you get, the less window of opportunity you have.  Players must develop all their skills. My philosophy is the taller you are, the more responsibilities you’re going to have with basketball. You’re going to learn how to shoot, how to dribble up court, how to initiate a offense. The more things you are able to do with the ball, the more value you have…..[basically] Be a basketball player, its easy to teach players how to post, but its hard to teach them how to play around the perimeter.  At the college level, most guards are 6’6.  If your 6’6, and only limited to the post then your value as a player is not going to be high, I teach players to strive to want to be better.

D1Spects: What exactly are the scouts looking for?

Coach Bo Bell: First off you must have a presence, and must be able to play.  You must have talent.  A lot of guys can play but they don’t know how to play. They know the rules, have favorite players, and do what they see on TV, but they don’t know the fundamentals.  Scouts are looking at more then just your skill level and talent.  They are looking at what you do, when you don’t have the ball.  Do you just sit there, and lazily set screens; or are you actively, looking for ways to help your team.  There is a big difference between guys that are good, and guys that are great that know how to play.

D1Spects: What about those kids who do not have the financial means? What can they do?

Coach Bo Bell: Continue to enhance, they are not getting enough from the middle school, high school coaches, YMCA, or any other organizations.  They are here to help you, so go find them.  There are fund-raisers, out there ran by these organizations, you just have to go find them.  Look up my academy, and we will find ways to get you the money, to help you become better.    Honestly, if they [players] are good AAU programs and coaches will find them.

D1spects: As a scout yourself what is more important high school or AAU Stats?

Coach Bo Bell: Both, it’s not so much about the stats, it’s what you do in AAU, and its what you do in high school, that helps get you recruited. You can be in high school averaging 20 + points a game; but play in AAU and only average 10 points a game, however you know how to play, you know how to read and react.  The upper level [scouts] can tell whether you can play or not, just by watching you for only a few minutes. In high school level you might have 1 or 2 good players, but in AAU all the players are good, so everybody can’t average 20 + points.  All the kids can’t have 25 or 30 point nights.  College Coaches, understand that, so even if your on the bench, playing AAU, college scouts are watching you, and writing down whether you know how to play.  Not just going off your stats.

D1Spects: How important is AAU?

Coach Bo Bell: Very important for exposure when they get older, the benefits are traveling, playing in different tournaments such as North Carolina, California, New York, your not only playing there, but your name is staying there.  AAU does provide exposure, and that is vital to being recruited.  There are over 500 plus colleges offering basketball scholarships, so the more areas you visit, the more the percentage falls in your favor.

D1Spects: What about kids that live in remote small areas, how can they get noticed?

Coach Bo Bell: Here’s the thing, now there are so many resources out there it doesn’t matter.  Different media outlets such as Youtube,Ihigh.com, Facebook, that can help get your name out there.  Learn how to promote yourself, if your more of a rebounding/defensive player MARKET THAT.  For example create a website called, MonsterontheBoards.com or something like that and after every game show videos and record stats of how many rebounds you have.  Attract recruits to you, use resources that are available to you.  You can live under a rock, but if you're getting your name in the [News] papers, they would find you.  You're like a big fish and small pond, you attract more college coaches, because they [Coaches] want to make sure they don't over look you.  Look at the NBA a lot of small colleges are getting players drafted.   These [players], have played AAU all their life, and played against the big names in the NBA.  So once they make it to that level of basketball, its not much adapting because they have been playing against that caliber of talent, all their life.

D1spects: What should factor in when it comes down to a player deciding his college?

Coach Bo Bell: Before, a player makes any decision he should concentrate on what’s best for their education, and family.  Next look at the depth of the interested college roster, will you be able to get on the floor and use your talent.  The more choices a player has, the more selective they can be.  Don’t be pressured, do what’s best for you.

D1spects: Wow, Coach I wish I could have went to your Academy during my high school days.

Coach Bo Bell: (laughs) well, hey there is still time, lets go do some drills.

D1spects: Thanks coach but I don't think college coaches would be impressed with me.  I'll pass the knowledge on to the younger players who want to play college ball.  Coach, thanks for the interview, I really think it can be beneficial to the younger players wishing to continue their career.  Is there anything you would like to add?

Coach Bo Bell: No problem. Thank you talking with me.  I always tell my players two things Preparation and Opportunity,  when they meet together that creates success.  You can’t have one and be successful; the good ones always have both.

For more tips about scouting or information about basketball training visit www.coachbobell.com or email basketball101@att.net