Basketball Staff Contacts
Loading staff directory…
About Cleveland State Community College Basketball
Cleveland State Community College offers a direct path to basketball and a degree that works. Under head coach Rafael Howard, the Vikings compete in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association within the NJCAA—a league designed to develop players for four-year transfers while keeping tuition manageable and academic standards realistic. Here's what matters: you get significant playing time as a freshman, which means film for the transfer portal and genuine development in a competitive conference. The coaching staff prioritizes player progression and positions guards and bigs for success at the next level. You'll play meaningful minutes, build relationships with a coach who evaluates your growth, and earn credit toward a degree that transfers cleanly to universities across the region. The TCAA schedule tests you against established programs, so scouts and four-year schools see the competition level. Rafael Howard's track record shows he develops talent intentionally—not just showcasing it. If you're a solid player who needs a runway to prove yourself, this is the environment that gives you one. The financial piece matters too. Community college costs less than most four-year programs, and you're not red-shirting while paying full price. Two years of starter minutes, a transferable degree, and a proven path to a Power Conference or mid-major roster. That's the value proposition. Before you reach out to a program at this level, make sure your game is where it needs to be. Florida Coastal Prep exists to help serious players close that gap— through elite training, academic support, and real exposure. Start at floridacoastalprep.com or /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 Cleveland State Community 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 Cleveland State Community College.
Targeting Cleveland State Community College?
FCP coaches understand what JUCO programs like Cleveland State Community 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