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About Citrus College Basketball
Citrus College has built something real in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference—a junior college program that develops players into legitimate four-year prospects through intentional, structured basketball. Head coach Brett Lauer runs a system that values discipline and skill development equally, creating an environment where guards improve their decision-making and big men refine their footwork in ways that translate directly to the next level. Playing NJCAA basketball at Citrus means competing against genuine competition while having the breathing room to grow. This isn't a showcase league; it's a proving ground where your game gets tested and refined. Lauer's approach emphasizes fundamentals and basketball IQ—the intangibles that separate players who get looks from four-year programs versus those who don't. You'll be challenged to improve defensively, expand your offensive range, and understand spacing and positioning at a level that prepares you for D1 and D2 transitions. The program attracts recruits who see junior college not as a fallback but as a strategic step forward. If you're coming off a tough high school season, recovering from injury, or simply need a year to mature physically and mentally, Citrus offers real opportunity. The Inland Empire location provides access to West Coast recruiting networks while keeping costs manageable. Citrus College is for the player ready to earn his way to the next level. The gap between a recruit who gets offers and one who doesn't is rarely talent alone—it's preparation. Florida Coastal Prep specializes in exactly that bridge year. Explore the program at floridacoastalprep.com or reach out via /contact/.
Getting recruited at this level requires more than raw talent — coaches need to see your film at the right moment, your eligibility paperwork must be in order, and your tournament exposure has to match the standard the program is recruiting to.
How JUCO Basketball Recruiting Works
Junior college coaches recruit differently than NCAA Division I staffs. Walk-on tryouts are common, signing windows extend later into the spring, and roster turnover is higher — meaning open spots exist year-round. Most NJCAA programs recruit locally first, but players who demonstrate film improvement and consistent development get evaluated regardless of geography.
NJCAA eligibility runs through the Eligibility Center but uses a separate certification process from the NCAA. There is no sliding scale — you need a high school diploma or GED, and 48 semester hours of transfer credit satisfies most transfer requirements to four-year programs. Academic eligibility requirements are generally more flexible than NCAA standards.
If you are building toward a four-year transfer, treat your JUCO year as a proving ground, not a fallback. Coaches at D1, D2, and NAIA programs actively watch JUCO film. Players who earn significant minutes in competitive NJCAA regions get evaluated.
Using a Post-Grad Year to Reach JUCO Programs
JUCO programs like Citrus College offer a proven pathway to four-year basketball. FCP's post-graduate basketball program helps players build the film, grades, and exposure that NJCAA coaches need to see before offering roster spots. Many FCP alumni have gone on to compete at the JUCO level and transfer to NCAA programs.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Citrus College.
Targeting Citrus College?
FCP coaches understand what JUCO programs like Citrus College look for in a recruit. We build players' film, exposure, and eligibility profiles to match exactly what coaches at this level need to see before making an offer.
Research compiled by the FCP recruiting staff · Last updated March 2026