I can’t believe it’s almost August.

This summer has literally flown by. And I don’t think I’ve been home for more than three days in a row at a time.

I’ve gone from Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri to York, Pennsylvania to Lexington, Kentucky – all in the span of less than one month. Tomorrow I head to Baltimore, Maryland for a tournament. And after that: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and then Atlanta, Georgia.

But this is what happens for recruits. July is what they call an “open” period, meaning college coaches can come to tournaments, games, and so forth to watch you play. And let me tell you, I am downright exhausted.

Between traveling, and practicing at home, you have to make sure you keep in contact with coaches, just so they keep you in mind later in the recruiting process. This means calling, e-mailing, anything to just remind them that hello, yes, I’m here.

Thankfully, though, everything will be over by August. Just two weeks. I can make it.  And then, after that, comes the exciting part. This is the part where you finally decided where you want to go to college.

July is the final stretch. It’s the time where the men are separated from the boys (or in my case, women and girls), and a time where players finally realize the sacrifice they are making to play at the next level.

But if you love the sport, like I do, the sacrifice is worth it.