Certainly, things have changed.
When Ahmad Wagner's parents -- both Division I athletes -- were being recruited, the procedure varied substantially from today's typical process.
In some ways, the rules were looser when his father was being recruited to play football at Jackson State and his mother, to run track there. In other ways they seemed less intrusive. Text messaging and cell phones didn't exist in those days, turning contemporary contact into perpetual conversations.
"They always tell me that things have changed a whole bunch and that things are different," said Wagner, a 6-7 forward Minnesota is seriously pursuing.
Still, all of the guidance has been helpful, he said. In addition to his parents, Wagner's coach at Wayne High School in Ohio is Travis Trice Sr., who balled at Purdue. Trice's son, Travis Trice Jr. is heading into his senior year at Michigan State and occasionally stops by practices when he's home.
Like his parents, the two Trices lend their advice on what aspects to look for on the academic side and what recruiting tactics to be wary of. When it comes to Big Ten schools -- Wagner has offers from Minnesota and Iowa -- the father and son can each talk a little about the facilities and campuses before the 2015 recruit even sets up a visit.
Last month, the younger Trice came to an open gym at the high school. Wagner got the chance to guard him in a scrimmage, a valuable learning experience, he said.
"I'm close with both of them," Wagner said. "It's nice having their help."