When people see a “5-Star recruit” headline, they usually think of Duke or Kentucky battling for the next NBA lottery pick. But what does that actually mean, and how can we make that language more relevant right here in Alabama? At iBall Radio, we’ve built a framework that mirrors the national model (ESPN, Rivals, 247, On3) while adapting it for the unique basketball culture of our state. This article unpacks the star system, the scout grade scale, and the evaluation factors behind the ratings — giving parents, players, and coaches the transparency they’ve been craving.

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📊 What Evaluators Really Look At

A player’s rating isn’t just about how many points they score. Scouts weigh a wide range of factors that project how a player will perform at the next level:

1. Size + Position Fit

• Is a guard tall enough to switch on defense? Does a forward have the handle to stretch the floor? Size paired with skill is the foundation of projection.

2. Athleticism

• Quickness, bounce, motor, and lateral speed separate mid-major kids from true high-major prospects.

3. Skillset

• Shooting consistency, advanced ball-handling, playmaking vision, and ability to finish through contact. Scouts look for skills that translate in tougher environments.

4. Basketball IQ

• Does the player make the right reads under pressure? Do they understand spacing, rotations, and clock situations?

5. Competition Level

• Dominating Class 1A is one thing. Dominating on Nike EYBL, 3SSB, UAA, or Puma Pro16 against top-50 kids is another. Scouts weigh both but give more credit to success at the highest levels.

6. Recruiting Interest

• Offers matter. In Alabama, a Power 5 offer is enough to confirm a 5-Star grade, while a Division I offer alone could boost a player into the 5-Star conversation.

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🏀 Applying It to Alabama: The State-Specific Scale

We’ve adapted the national model for local use, creating tiers that reflect our player pool. Here’s what each star rating means inside Alabama:

Star Rating	State Range	Projection
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Top 3–5 kids	D1 lock, high-major potential, nationally ranked prospects
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Next 20–25 kids	D1 low, mid, or high major/elite D2 / top JUCO
⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Next 50–70 kids	Solid D2/NAIA/D3/JUCO contributors
⭐⭐☆☆☆	Next 50+ kids	Small college, PWO, or walk-on prospects

This table helps parents and players put Alabama talent in context. A 3-Star in-state is still a college-level player. A 4-Star means Division I opportunities are all but guaranteed. A 5-Star? That’s the rare company of kids with a path to the High Major level and beyond.

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🔢 The Scout Grade Scale

Stars are easy to understand, but behind them is a numeric scout grade. This grade, on a 100-point scale, provides transparency:

Grade	Stars	Projection
95–100	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Power 5 offer, clear D1 talent, Pro potential
90–94	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Division I recruit, low, mid-to-high major potential
85–89	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	D2/NAIA/D3/JUCO contributor, dependable college-level player
80–84	⭐⭐☆☆☆	Small college prospect, D3/NAIA/JUCO developmental
Below 80	⭐☆☆☆☆	Local college, walk-on, or developmental JUCO option

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🥧 The Weighting Formula

Every scout grade is calculated using a balanced formula:

• 30% Physical tools & measurables
• 25% Skillset
• 20% Competition level & production
• 15% Basketball IQ
• 10% Recruiting interest/offers

This breakdown forces evaluators to consider all aspects of a player, not just points scored or mixtape highlights. A kid might be a 30-point scorer in high school but still grade as a 2-Star if they’re undersized, inefficient, and untested against elite competition.

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📝 Why This Matters

For years, Alabama basketball has been overlooked nationally. But by giving players a fair, transparent evaluation system, iBall Radio is setting a new standard. This system shows parents exactly why their child is a 3-Star instead of a 4-Star. It helps players understand what skills they must develop to climb. And it gives college coaches a reliable framework for assessing in-state talent.

At the end of the day, stars don’t guarantee success. Effort, attitude, and development matter most. But when used correctly, this star rating system can be a roadmap: where you are now, and where you have the potential to go.