As in the world of college football, traditional basketball scholarships at the most competitive universities require a great deal of talent in the sport and the ability to catch the attention of college recruiters. Many players begin their scholarship and college search early on - as early as in the 9th grade. Players also check in often with coaches throughout high school so that recruiters can track their statistics and athletic development. To improve your chances in landing a basketball scholarship, we encourage you to start the process early, practice talking with college coaches, creating an impressive player reel, visiting as many colleges as you can, researching your prospective colleges thoroughly, maintaining strong academics, acquiring multiple references, and keeping up with deadlines.
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Much of the funding for basketball scholarships is controlled by the NCAA, which means there is a great emphasis placed on not only talent but academic records, as scholarship recipients must meet certain GPA requirements. Depending on your talent, coaches may be more or less flexible with academic requirements needed to attend their university.
For those looking for full or partial rides at the top basketball programs, players should know they need to be on the lookout for recruiters who are looking for a team that will win them championships and bring in alumni dollars. Players who want a smaller school or who may not have the skills on the court that would catch a recruiter's eye have more options. Private organizations and local groups often place less emphasis on talent than financial need, extracurricular activities and academic records. Players at all skill levels may find themselves eligible for awards not offered directly by the college they plan to attend.
When it comes to getting recruited and getting an athletic scholarship, there is research and preparation required on your part. Since coaches work to award players based on their program's needs, you will need to create a target list of schools you are interesting in attending and compiling all the contact information for the coaches. Creating a resume or player reel are good ways to showcase your talents. If coaches are not reaching out to you, take initiative and start the communication yourself by replying to every email you get, calling coaches to express your interest, and arranging times to converse with the coaches. Attending summer camps and showcases help gain exposure. Also, be sure to know the NCAA and NAIA rules and regulations as you search different schools with different programs.
For additional information about basketball scholarships and awards based on different
criteria, try conducting a free college scholarship
search at Scholarships.com.
Established by Alliance Pipeline in 2001, this scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a student-athlete who demonstrates strong academic performance. The student must maintain a 3.0 GPA and participate in an intercollegiate sport. The amount of the scholarship will be determined by January of each year by the Director of the University Advancement based on the interest earnings in the [...] More
To be eligible for the Augustana College Athletic Grant, students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA while enrolled at Augustana to maintain these scholarships in subsequent years. these grants are awarded to outstanding student-athletes; NCAA Division II, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
The Athletics Scholarship is available to student-athletes in CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies who are recommended for scholarship consideration by the CCU Athletics Department. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress, unless otherwise noted by the Athletics Department. Prospective student athletes should contact their specific coach for further information. Must be a [...] More
The Foot Locker Foundation awards 20 incoming college freshmen with $20,000 in scholarship funding through the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program. In order to be eligible for the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program, the applicant must be a current high school senior entering a four-year, accredited US college or university in the upcoming Fall, be currently a member (in good standing) of a [...] More
The coronavirus made laptops a necessity for college students. Where before students without personal computers or laptops could use on-campus computers and provided software to meet the technological needs of their courses, the shift last spring to online classes necessitated that students have a stable internet connection and a compatible device. While the majority of students were able to meet this requirement, according to a study by EDUCASE, some students found themselves without a modern laptop that could run the most up-to-date browser, use RAM-heavy software or keep up even with reliable high-speed Wi-Fi. One university has announced a unique remedy for this technical situation. [...]
When students hear back from colleges in the coming weeks, they may not get a firm acceptance or rejection, but rather get put on the wait list. Getting waitlisted is a normal part of the college admissions process, but some experts say that this year the wait list could turn into the longest it has ever been. A combination of the effects of the coronavirus on colleges, changes in application policies and an increase in applications at top colleges may contribute to a difficult wait list period. [...]
Spring has officially begun! Days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Spring means flowers and rainstorms. It’s also the time that brings college acceptances and decisions! That’s why spring is a great time to apply for scholarships. These April scholarship opportunities will springboard you to college savings! Check out the following scholarships, and be sure to try a free scholarship search today to discover customized scholarship results that can help you pay for college. [...]
