STACK tracked down University of Tennessee head basketball coach Bruce Pearl at the Disney Wide World of Sports AAU Showcase to find out what gets his attention on the recruiting trail.

STACK: If a player isn’t a top-100 recruit or is flying under the radar, what can he do to attract a college coach’s interest?
Bruce Pearl: If you’re in the AAU program and you’ve got a decent team, then the summertime is when you’ve got a chance go make a name for yourself. You can’t hunt bear in the lodge, so kids have got to go out there at these tournaments and give us a chance to evaluate them.

STACK: Besides basketball talent, what attributes are you seeking in a player at an AAU event or high school game?
BP: Certainly attitude is a factor. I want guys who are going to play with emotion and passion.

STACK: What’s the best way an athlete can conduct a self-marketing campaign?
BP: Don’t be afraid to be aggressive, and participate in the process. If there’s a campus you want to visit and [a school] you’re interested in, then make an appointment. The head coach may not have time for you, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an assistant coach [available].

STACK: Can a high school athlete’s persistence be perceived as “annoying” to a coach?
BP: I want to coach guys who want to play for me, so I’m always intrigued by guys who will be aggressive in the recruiting process.
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