Blue chip (sports)

Tom Izzo and John Calipari talk while scouting a blue chip recruit

Blue chips are athletes, particularly high school players, targeted for drafting or signing by teams at the college level. Collegiate players being scouted by professional franchises may also be referred to as blue chips.

Blue chip players are those who have proven themselves to be among the best at their positions in their respective sports and are more sought after and wanted than other players.[1] They are typically perceived as "can't miss" prospects[2] who are desired by most organizations. Blue chip athletes are likely to have an immediate impact on teams that acquire them[2] and have proven skills rather than speculative or untapped potential. Many top recruits eventually go on to be successful at the professional level, especially in basketball and baseball.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Fisher, Derek; Brozek, Gary (September 8, 2009). Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball. New York City: Simon & Schuster. p. 151. ISBN 9781416580539. ...I was never one of those blue-chip prospects, the kind of player who was spotted in junior high, recruited heavily by the who's who of Division I basketball powerhouses, inundated with phone calls and enough mailings to fill a bedroom, and going to bed each night with the thoughts of eager coaches touting their respective programs.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Calhoun, Jim; Ernsberger, Jr., Richard (September 16, 2008). A Passion to Lead: Seven Leadership Secrets for Success in Business, Sports, and Life. New York City: St. Martin's Press. p. 108. ISBN 9780312384661. Every year there are, maybe, fifteen five-star, blue-chip prospects who—if you believe the recruiting 'experts' and other pundits—are destined for instant college stardom as the first step toward a glittering career in professional basketball.
  3. ↑ Tomik, Jeffrey (2015-02-04). "Do top high school prospects go on to win championships in the pros?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-02-05.