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About Richland College Basketball
Richland College gives you a direct path to playing time and degree completion without the two-year wait at a four-year school. Head Coach Jon Havens runs a program in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference where contributors earn immediate opportunities and genuine development minutes—not redshirt years. The practical advantage is straightforward: you get your first two years of college credit in a respected degree program while building film that transfers to a higher level. Junior college football operates differently than the four-year model. Your performance translates directly into recruitment interest from Division I and Division II programs, and you'll have real leverage in the transfer portal because you've proven yourself on film. Richland's location in Texas places you in a region with strong football culture and active coaching networks. Coach Havens emphasizes players who arrive prepared to compete immediately—your freshman and sophomore years are your audition for the next level, not a development holding pattern. The financial reality matters too. Two years of junior college costs less than four years at a university while you earn transferable credits and build your resume simultaneously. You're not paying for a redshirt year; you're investing in visibility and advancement. This program works for players who understand the business side of college football: show up ready to play, perform, transfer up, and finish your degree. Coaches at programs like this recruit players who come in ready to contribute. Florida Coastal Prep—a prep academy in Fort Walton Beach, FL—develops athletes specifically for opportunities like this one. Learn how at floridacoastalprep.com or apply at /apply/.
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 Richland 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 Richland College.
Targeting Richland College?
FCP coaches understand what JUCO programs like Richland 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