How to get a basketball scholarship for girls

15 Best Colleges for Women's Basketball Scholarships in 2020-2021

Did you know that women’s college basketball is almost similar to men’s college basketball except for the smaller ball? But the interest in women’s college basketball isn’t small, far from it! More people watched the 2019 NCAA’s Championship Game between Baylor and Notre Dame than the WNBA’s take-all Game Five – 5.5 million viewers and 440,000 viewers, respectively.

Of course, the NCAA can lead to the WNBA, a career highlight for college players, but the media coverage and popularity for the former usually exceeds the latter. No wonder then that many high school basketball players dream of entering an NCAA women’s basketball team! 

But it isn’t easy because of the stiff competition. Think about the numbers: Over 400,000 female basketball players in high school, but only 1.2% – or about 4,800 – will compete in Division I, the topmost tier. This is true for Division II and Division III schools, too.

There’s also the matter of athletic scholarships. The gap between the average number of players in the team and the available number of scholarships makes the competition even fiercer! Take a look at this table to understand the dilemma among coaches and athletic directors when deciding on scholarship recipients. 

Headcount scholarships are full-ride scholarships, which means every recipient will have his tuition, compulsory fees, room, and board, and required textbooks covered. Depending on the school, a full-ride may also include stipends for personal living expenses, miscellaneous expenses, and travel costs. With headcount scholarships, the head coach and athletic director of an NCAA Division I school can give 15 full-ride scholarships to 15 student-athletes; partial scholarships in any amount or percentage cannot be assigned student-athletes. 

Equivalency scholarships can be partial or full-ride scholarships at the head coach’s or the athletic director’s discretion.  The women’s basketball program in a Division II school will be allotted a pool of scholarship funds equivalent to 10 full-ride scholarships. The funds can then be distributed to as many student-athletes as the head coach and athletic director. For this reason, student-athletes are more likely to receive partial scholarships, which may or may not be in equal percentages or amounts. 

Division III schools aren’t allowed to offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes under current NCAA rules. But they are allowed to offer merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid to their players.

Keep in mind that if you’re planning to attend one of the eight Ivy League schools, you won’t be getting athletic scholarships in any amount or form. This is because of their stand that they are in the business of education, not in sports. But they offer need-based financial aid to their student-athletes. The eight Ivy League schools are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.

In the NAIA, the allowable number of equivalency scholarships is eight. As such, partial scholarships among teams are the norm, not the exception. Take note that Divisions I and II of women’s basketball will be combined in the 2020-2021 academic year.

With that said, here are the best schools for women’s basketball scholarships. We must point out that all of these schools play in NCAA Division I mainly because of their more favorable headcount scholarship programs. We also think that these are the schools with the best basketball programs – the first seven schools, for example, are winningest teams in the NCAA’s women’s basketball history with at least two national championships.  

Check-out these page jumps and explore the 15 Best Colleges for Women’s Basketball Scholarships in 2020-2021, and dribble your way to a tuition-free college!

• University of Connecticut
• University of Tennessee – Knoxville
• Baylor University
• Louisiana Tech University
• University of Notre Dame
• Stanford University
• University of Southern California
• Duke University
• University of Louisville
• James Madison University
• Texas A&M University
• Auburn University
• Purdue University
• Ohio State University
• University of Oklahoma

The UConn Huskies have won 11 NCAA Division I National Championships, the most successful women’s basketball program! Four of these national championships were won four in a row (2013-2016), not to mention their more than 50 regular conference and tournament championships.  Such glorious performance is likely among the reasons for the program escaping the boot – Uconn is set to cut four sports and reduce funding for scholarships in other sports due to financial issues.  

The bottom line: If you are a cut above the rest, you can be part of UConn’s glory! The Division of Athletics provides the necessary support, including scholarships for its student-athletes. The athletic scholarships are complemented by more than 140 endowed scholarships, a combination that attracts the best athletes from across the country. 

Examples of endowed scholarships are: 

• The Robert T. Crovo Family Scholarship
• The Chris Dailey Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Herbert And Marcia Dunn Scholarship Fund
• The Baum, Cion And Newberg Families Scholarship
• The Irma K. And Alvin L. Evans Endowed Scholarship Fund

According to this matrix, there seem to be several more scholarship slots available in the women’s basketball program.

If you’re interested, you must complete the Prospective Athlete Form first. Emails and their attachments should not be sent to the Division of Athletics’ administrative unit. Send a letter or email and call here: 

University of Connecticut
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088,Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3088
Phone +1 (860) 486 3137
Email: beahusky@uconn. edu

UConn also has several merit scholarships for first-year students, continuing and transfer students involved in sports. Ask the admissions office about the university’s stacking policy. 

The Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball team has won eight NCAA National Championships, 17 SEC regular-season championships, and 17 SEC tournament championships. If that’s not impressive enough – it has made every single NCAA championship since the 1981-1982 season. 

With such a record, there’s fierce competition for the slots and athletic scholarships in the team. Student-athletes should contact the Department of Athletics for more details on grant-in-aid, including eligibility, restrictions, and renewal. 

Letters can be addressed to:

Tennessee Athletics, P.O. Box 15016, Knoxville, TN 37901-5016.
You may also contact Kellie Harper, the head coach since 2019, at [email protected] or Lacey Goldwire, the Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator lgoldwir@utk. edu. 

UTK has a Partners in Sports Scholarships program for its student-athletes. Undergraduate applicants are eligible under the following conditions: 

• Current students in good academic standing 
• Completed 30 hours of undergraduate coursework 
• Current and active members of Partners in Sports 
• Enrolled in the Recreation and Sport Management program

Requirements include complete college transcripts, cover letter, resume, and a letter of reference, which should be in PDF file when sent to [email protected]. 

First-year students can also apply for merit scholarships, most of which are automatic scholarships (i.e., no separate application necessary). However, some scholarships require a valid FAFSA application. 

Examples include: 

• Volunteer Scholarship (up to $8,000/year renewable for four years) 
• Tri-Star Scholarship Program (Covers tuition and mandatory fees when combined with institutional, state, and federal aid) 
• Provost Scholarship ($2,000/year and can be combined with other scholarships) 
• Beacon Scholarship (Between $3,000–$8,000/year for in-state students; Between $4,000–$18,000 for out-of-state students) 
• Tennessee Explore Scholarship (Between $4,000-$7,500/year depending on ACT/SAT scores and GPA) 
• Volunteer Scholarship (Between $10,000-$18,500/year depending on ACT/SAT scores and GPA)

Call 865-974-1111 or send an email to onestop@utk. edu for more information. 

The Baylor Lady Bears has won three NCAA national championships (2005, 2012, and 2019), and they went undefeated during the 2012 championships. With its solid basketball program, Baylor University attracts the best players, including Brittney Griner, Odyssey Sims, and Chloe Jackson. 

The Baylor Athletics Department gives the head coach of the women’s basketball program, Kimberly Duane Mulkey, complete discretion in determining the scholarship recipients. The Director of Athletics then gives his approval. 

Send in your letters of inquiry about the headcount scholarships, including eligibility requirements and recruiting process, to Baylor Athletics at: 

Baylor Athletics, 1500 South University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas 76706
You may also call 254-710-1234 for more details before submission of the required recruitment documentation. 

Athletic scholarships are offered to the best prospects and continuing student-athletes. These grants-in-aid typically cover the tuition and compulsory fees, required textbooks, and room and board. Keep in mind that Baylor University is a private institution with the AY 2020-2021 tuition, fees, and room and board estimated at more than $63,000; the amount excludes books, supplies, and transportation, among other expenses.  

Like its Division I counterparts, Baylor University is only allowed to give 15 headcount scholarships to its women’s basketball team. But the university emphasizes that as much as 90% of its student body pay the full tuition “sticker price.” 

Students can avail of various scholarships, financial aid, affordable loans, and reasonable payment plans to fund their education. The university has financial aid counselors who provide professional guidance to students and find the best plan for their unique circumstances.  

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters has won three NCAA national championships and boasts five Olympic medalists, 21 WNBA players, and eight members of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, among other accolades. Becoming part of the team is a dream of thousands of high school players! 

If you’re interested in becoming a recruit, you can send in your letter and relevant requirements to: 

Brooke Stoehr/ Scott Stoehr
Louisiana Tech Athletics
P.O. Box 3046, Ruston, LA 71272
You may also contact Brooke Stoehr or Scott Stoehr, the co-head coaches, through their email at [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.
You can also call (318) 257-5511 before sending recruitment and scholarship requirements, as needed. 

There are also 15 headcount scholarships up for grabs. The co-head coaches identify the scholarship recipients every year and decide on the reduction, cancellation, and renewals. 

The scholarships are funded through the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club, the Division of University Advancement’s athletic fundraising arm. The club seeks to provide the university’s 300-plus student-athletes with athletic scholarships and first-class support in academics and athletics. 

Student-athletes may also look into merit-based and need-based scholarship opportunities through the university’s General Scholarship Program as well as the college-based programs. The office of Admissions administers the General Scholarship Program, which includes admission scholarships for freshmen students; admission scholarships are typically awarded based on demonstrated ability regardless of need. 

The priority deadline is January 5, 2021, for incoming first-year students. The scholarship amount depends on GPA and ACT/SAT scores, and it ranges from $2,000 to $9,500 per academic year. 

You can contact the Admissions Office at this address: 

Admissions Office, Hale Hall, P.O. Box 3178, Ruston, Louisiana 71272
You may also call 318-257-3036 for more information.
Search for many more scholarship opportunities on this page, too. 

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish has two NCAA national championships (2001, 2018), and they are known for being feisty on the court. Both championships were won under the tutelage of Muffet McGraw, the team’s former coach, who ended her run in 2020. They also have numerous regular season and conference tournament championships. 

Of the Fighting Irish women’s basketball team, most, if not all, have been on a full-ride scholarship, thanks to the headcount policy. The full athletics aid usually cover all the tuition, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. The coverage is up to the cost of attendance, according to the university’s definition. 

But there are also cases when a partial athletics aid will be provided. In full and partial aid, the disbursement manner is direct posting to the respective student-athletes account. The scholarship money is evenly divided each semester and can only be applied to tuition, compulsory fees, room and board charges. Student-athletes will receive refunds in case of excess athletic aid. 

Athletic scholarships cannot usually be reduced, not renewed, and canceled due to athletic reasons, including injury and illness that prevent participation in the sports or contribute to the team’s success. But these actions can be done in case of ineligibility for competition, fraudulent misrepresentation, and serious misconduct, among others. Appeals can be made to the Faculty Athletics Representative for cancellation, reduction, and non-renewal. 

Athletic scholarships don’t cover the summer term, but summer aid is available and disbursed separately from the regular aid. The IRS may subject athletics scholarships to tax, too. 

For more information, you can contact the following persons: 

Niele Ivey
Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach
[email protected]

Carol Owens
Associate Head Coach
[email protected] , Phone: 631-5428

The Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team has two NCAA national championships (1990, 1992) aside from their Pac-12 regular-season and tournament championships. Their current coach, Tara VanDerveer, has been with the team for 34-plus seasons. 

Stanford is known for its full athletic scholarship program that provides financial support for student-athletes. It allows them to complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years. Student-athletes receive the full complement of academic and athletic support that contributes to their first-class university experience. 

Note that fifth-year aid requires the approval of the Athletic Director. Summer need-based scholarships for student-athletes are only provided under certain conditions, including graduation at the end of summer or missing out on the same academic year’s standard quarter. Completion of the Summer Application via the Stanford Financial Aid Office is required in this case. 

A full athletic scholarship will only cover: 

• Tuition
• Compulsory fees like freshman fees, ASSU, telecommunication fees, documentation fees, and house dues 
• Required textbooks 
• Standard room and board 

Athletic scholarships don’t cover all other items not mentioned above. The non-covered items include but aren’t limited to health insurance, P.O. box charges, cable television, class supplies, interim housing charges, fraternity/sorority fees, laboratory fees, and damage charges. 

Student-athletes may also receive stipend checks with amounts that reflect a portion of their athletic aid value. Stipend checks are only issued when the scholarship amount exceeds the student account’s charges, such as when you live in an off-campus residence. 

For recruitment and scholarships, contact:

Tara VanDerveer
The Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-723-0284
Send an email to [email protected] or call 650-723-3058 for general scholarship information.
Read this file, too, for more detailed athletic scholarship information. 

The Women of Troy has two NCAA national championships (1983, 1984) and their conference regular season and tournament championships. USC’s women’s basketball program is also notable because it’s the first NCAA Division I team to give athletic scholarships to its basketball players.  

And the USC continues to uphold its strong tradition of athletic scholarships! Qualified student-athletes can vie for the full athletic scholarships, typically decided on by the head coach and athletic director under NCAA rules. The coverage usually includes tuition, required fees and textbooks, and standard room and board. 

The award period is either on the first day of classes within the academic year covered or the first day of practice, whichever happened first. The period of award ends, as stated in the scholarship agreement. The period should not exceed the five years of eligibility, too. 

Even a full athletic scholarship can be reduced, canceled, and non-renewed during the period of award or a period after it under certain conditions, as set forth by the university, the NCAA, and the scholarship agreement. The reasons for these actions include academic ineligibility and serious misconduct.  

Contact these resource persons for more information on scholarships, recruitment, and eligibility: 

Mark Trakh
Head Coach
Phone: 740-7204

Jason Glover
Associate Head Coach
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 740-7204

The Blue Devils may not have an NCAA national championship yet, but its trophy case is full of several ACC conference regular season and tournament championships. Many of their alumni have also been successful in the WNBA and abroad, a testament to their top-notch basketball program. 

The competitive selection process, however, is just the first hurdle for interested student-athletes! Once you’re on the team, your odds for getting a full scholarship increase, and you and your teammates will likely get a full ride. You must comply with and follow the eligibility rules set by Duke University Athletics and the NCAA. 

Note that the Duke University Athletics’ rules and regulations will prevail over NCAA guidelines in case of conflict. Emphasis must also be made that the university’s athletics rules are more restrictive than the NCAA’s rules. Student-athletes are also expected to be in good academic standing and make appropriate contributions to the university and its community. 

The head coach identified the possible scholarship recipients and informed the Office of Admissions about it. The Office of Admissions then notifies the student-athletes about their admission into the program. 

Student-athletes must also present their credentials to the Dean of Admissions. These credentials include a personal information form, ACT/SAT scores; an official transcript; and secondary school reports and recommendation letters. The Dean of Admission decides for admission, and the coach will inform the Dean when a student-athlete signs an athletic scholarship agreement. 

Contact the head coach for more information: 

Kara Lawson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 919-613-7565
Ask the Athletics Department or email finaid@duke. edu about athletic grants-in-aid. 

The Louisville Cardinals have won numerous ACC conference tournament and regular-season championships and enjoy a strong following among fans. Its current head coach, Jeff Walz, was instrumental in increasing attendance at games with an average of 6,456 fans per game. 

More importantly, the University of Louisville Athletics has mobilized its resources to comply with the inclusion of the cost of attendance limit in full athletic scholarships! This means that, per the Power Five conferences’ agreement, the UofL Athletics will provide full funding for each student-athletes’ full cost of attendance with a full ride. The full grant-in-aid covers: 

• Tuition 
• Fees 
• Books 
• Room and board 
• Miscellaneous costs up to the cost of attendance include clothing, laundry, cleaning, transportation, recreation, dependent care, computer use, personal hygiene, and grooming. 

The miscellaneous expenses component bridges the so-called cost of attendance gap that, according to the Financial Aid Office, amounts to $5,364 per year. The gap is also used in determining every student’s financial aid eligibility. Take note that every student-athletes with a basketball scholarship will receive the full amount related to the attendance gap cost. 

We suggest reading the UofL student-athlete handbook for detailed information about student-athletes’ roles and responsibilities on scholarships. 

You may also contact the following regarding recruitment and scholarship opportunities: 

Jeff Walz
Head Coach
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 852-0221
Louisville Athletics Department

University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Phone: (502) 852-5735

The Dukes women’s basketball team has appeared in a dozen NCAA Division I Tournament games, an impressive feat indeed. More impressive is James Madison University’s robust scholarship program for its student-athletes, including its female basketball players.  

As a Division, I school, JMU offers headcount scholarships according to the NCAA’s scholarship limits.  A full athletic scholarship also covers tuition, compulsory fees, room, and board and required textbooks, among others, set in the grant-in-aid agreement. With a limited number of full-ride scholarships, continuing student-athletes are more likely to get them than the freshmen and transfer students. 

Prospective student-athletes are well-advised to let the women’s basketball program’s coaching staff perform the recruiting process. The consent of the Compliance Office is a must to ensure that your eligibility as a prospective student-athlete will not be jeopardized. 

Aside from the full-ride scholarships, all student-athletes are eligible for other assistance, including: 

• Student Assistance Funds (SAF) intended for educational expenses and fees, such as professional program testing 
• Personal or Family Expenses including emergency travel home and clothing allowance 
• Health and Safety Expenses including medical, vision, and dental expenses not covered by other insurance programs 
• Institutional Academic Enhancements, such as graduation awards, which should be within NCAA guidelines 

You may also check out other scholarship opportunities that student-athletes may be able to apply for. You can also contact the Athletics Department for more information about the recruitment and scholarship selection processes. Your coach can also get in touch with: 

Sean O’Regan
Head Coach
Atlantic Union Bank Center 1057 (645 University Blvd.) / MSC 4702
Email: [email protected]
Phone:540-568-6513

The Texas A&M Aggies women’s basketball team is under the tutelage of Gary Blair since 2003. They bagged the 2011 NCAA Division I national championship against the Fighting Irish and won five conference championships. 

The Aggies student-athletes are eligible for the A&M-Texarkana Athletic Scholarships awarded by the Department of Athletics every year. Prospective student-athletes must meet two sets of criteria provided by the university’s Department of Athletics and the NCAA Eligibility Center. The eligibility requirements include but aren’t limited to: 

• Admission into the university, per the decision of the University Admissions 
• Meet NCAA eligibility requirements 
• Meet the 2. 0 minimum GPA requirement 
• Maintain at least 2.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA for scholarship renewal purposes 
• Active participation and contribution to the team, including compliance with requirements set by the head coach and Director of Athletics 
• Meet the requirements of athletic ability and character by the head coach and Director of Athletics 

Full ride scholarships following NCAA guidelines are offered to the best student-athletes in the team. There are also athletics endowments without specific criteria other than being a student-athlete. 

The most notable is the Susie Knause Endowment, which is specifically geared toward a woman basketball player as a lone recipient. Applicants must be in the last year of their eligibility but want to continue their studies in the following semester or academic year. The money can be used to pay tuition and fees or used in purchasing special supplies or equipment for the women’s basketball team. 

For more information on recruitment and grant-in-aid, you may contact the Athletics Department or the head coach: 

Gary Blair 
Email: gblair@athletics. tamu.edu
Phone: 979-862-3218

The Tigers have won a total of nine SEC regular season and four tournament champions and appeared in the NCAA Tournament 21 times. Their alumni include eight WNBA players and eight All-Americans, and we can surmise that many, if not most, of their alumni and current players were on full-ride scholarships. 

The Auburn University Athletics Department prides itself on its autonomous status, meaning it doesn’t receive state and federal funds for its athletic scholarships. The funds come from private donations as well as ticket sales, media partnerships, and corporate sponsorships. The student-athletes are also provided with ample support, including resources to ensure their athletic and academic success. 

The head coach and athletic director are responsible for identifying the student-athletes who will receive full-ride scholarships. Your coach may contact the head coach for more information about recruitment and scholarship processes here: 

Terri Williams-Flournoy
Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Email: trf0007@auburn. edu
Phone: (334) 844-9200

Auburn University also offers a wide range of merit-based and need-based scholarships like: 

• SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Postgraduate Scholarship (one female; $15,000) 
• Brad Davis SEC Community Service Postgraduate Scholarship (one female; $10,000) 
• NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics (13 females; $7,500) 
• NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships (Three awards per year) 
• NCAA Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship (one female; $24,000 and renewable annually) 

You may use the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager to find other scholarship opportunities. 

The Boilermakers hold the record for Big Ten tournament championships alongside its 1999 NCAA national championship. Plus, its fan base is among the most enthusiastic while its rivalry with the Indiana Hoosiers is epic – Purdue leads with a 52-27 series lead.  

Purdue female basketball players are offered athletic scholarships in accordance with NCAA rules. As a Division I school, the university offers full-ride scholarships and varying amounts of financial aid to its student-athletes. 

As a rule, the head coach identifies the scholarship recipients while the Director of Athletics approves. Interested high school coaches can get in touch with the head coach at: 

Sharon Versyp
Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Phone: 494-0605

Purdue also offers several scholarships that student-athletes may be qualified to apply for. Be sure to ask the concerned scholarship officials about the stacking policy if you already have an athletic scholarship Examples include: 

• Purdue Black Alumni Organization Roger Blalock Scholarship
• Amelia Earhart Scholarship
• Class of 1937 Scholarship
• Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship
• Jim McKay Scholarship Program

Contact the Office of Admissions at (765) 494-1776 for more information.  

The Buckeyes have a record 12 Big Ten championship titles, the most titles in the conference, and 24 NCAA Tournament appearances. Jessica Davenport and Katie Smith, both All-Americans, are notable alumni. 

Ohio State University offers grant-in-aid that may cover the full cost of attendance, and the athletic aid is awarded through the Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid. The tender can be used to pay the full or specific portion of the full cost of attendance, such as tuition, fees, books, room and board, and allowed miscellaneous expenses. But it doesn’t cover student health insurance, taxes on room and board, single room charge, and other fees like room damages, parking fines, and transportation. 

Students who receive grant-in-aid above the attendance cost aren’t eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. If you think that you will belong to this category, you must contact the Athletic Compliance Office for guidance, especially if you’re applying for non-athletic scholarships.  

Summer grant-in-aid and fifth-year scholarships may be requested from the Athletics Department, but approval isn’t guaranteed. Every application will be evaluated on a case-to-case basis. 

You can contact this office for more information about athletic aid: 

Athletic Aid Administration
Email:​ [email protected], Phone: 614-688-3910​
You may also ask your high school coach to communicate with Kevin McGuff, the head coach, at 292-9270 for recruitment purposes.  

The Sooners women’s basketball team has seven conference regular season and tournament championship titles, aside from numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. The University of Oklahoma’s basketball program attracts high school players partly because of its winning streak and robust scholarship program. 

The Athletics Departments identify the scholarship recipients based on their academic and athletic abilities. Indeed, Sooners student-athletes excel in academics, with more than 300 named to the Spring 2019 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, among other accolades.  

Interested in becoming part of the Sooners? Contact Sherri Coale, the head coach. Be sure to follow the recruitment procedures not to jeopardize your NCAA eligibility – ask your high school coach to act on your behalf. 

If you want to know more about athletic scholarships, you may also contact the Athletics Compliance Department at 325-5210. The Athletics Compliance Department works with the Scholarship/Financial Aid Office, the Bursar’s Office, and the University’s Student Financial Center to disburse scholarship funds to student-athletes.  

The athletic scholarship covers tuition, fees related to course enrollment, books, room and board, and other allowed cost of attendance expenses. But it will not cover long distance calls, parking tickets, permits, late charges, and missed tutoring charges. 

Our final tip: Before you contact the coaches of your preferred college or university’s women’s basketball program, you may want to check the NCAA initial eligibility guidelines and requirements. While the colleges and universities are independent bodies, they have agreements with the NCAA regarding recruitment, scholarships, and eligibility.

Basketball Scholarships | How to Get a Basketball Scholarship

Most college basketball players currently on scholarship got started with the recruiting process very early. Basketball players should begin the recruiting process by the time they are in the 9th grade and should be continually checking-in with coaches throughout high school so that coaches can watch their development. Learn more about the steps to take to get a basketball scholarship.

QUICK LINKS

How to Get a Basketball Scholarship

Here are some quick tips on how to get a basketball scholarship:

1. Start the process early
2. Practice talking with college coaches
3. Have a great video to share
4. Visit as many schools as you can
5. Research the schools you want to attend
6. Improve your grades
7. Provide multiple references
8. Don’t miss deadlines

There are over 1 million men’s and women’s high school basketball players in the USA and thousands more internationally.

Can You Get a Basketball Scholarship from AAU?

AAU basketball teams should be treated as a required ‘step’ toward that direction (much like taking advantage of the benefits a recruiting service can provide). It’s no secret, college scouts do follow high school athletes playing AAU basketball showcases so being a part of this process can assist you in getting noticed.

There are different levels of AAU teams to consider. Those basketball teams which focus on traveling nationwide for several summer tournaments will require you pay more than those teams which focus on a more local or regional AAU tournament schedule. In addition to you paying a fee to cover the cost of team uniforms, warm-ups and practice court costs, you and your parents should also budget for the cost of gasoline, meals and lodging related to any out-of-town games/tournaments.

Can You Play Basketball Without a Scholarship?

If you are thinking of playing college basketball for a powerhouse team in NCAA Division 1 without being offered an athletic scholarship by college recruiters the chances are very slim. From time to time big schools such as these will have a tradition of having ‘tryouts’ for 1-2 walk-ons, but you must understand if you would become such a walk-on there is a chance you would never see any actual playing time.

NCAA Division 2 and NAIA colleges and universities offer partial scholarships and are more readily acceptable to bringing in walk-ons to compete for roster spots. Also, as a walk-on you could work your way into gaining partial scholarships (partial tuition payment, books or meals, e.g.) the next year as these scholarship awards are reviewed by the college coaches and recruiters on a yearly basis. You may also decide to play at a NCAA Division 3 school, which under NCAA guidelines are not permitted to offer athletic scholarships.

How Many Basketball Scholarships Are Given Each Year?

If you have a desire to have a college basketball recruiter offer you a scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 basketball, you’re not alone. Nearly 4,500 players are on scholarship at the Division 1 men’s level while there are over 5,000 women basketball players with full rides to play college hoops.

NCAA Basketball Scholarships Limits

The NCAA requires universities and colleges at the D1 level to offer only ‘full’ scholarships in men’s and women’s basketball. Men’s programs are restricted to 13 scholarships while women’s program rosters have 15 full scholarship players. An interesting point for you to know about full scholarship awards at the NJCAA (Junior College) D1 level is the total offering includes transportation costs one time per year to and from the college by direct route. NCAA D2 and NAIA may offer full or partial scholarship monies to college basketball recruits. While NCAA Division 3 schools are not permitted to offer athletic scholarships you can also benefit from earning academic and merit scholarships available to all students registering to attend those institutions.

The table above shows college basketball scholarships offered at the NCAA Division 1, NCAA Division 2, NJCAA, and NAIA levels.

Basketball Scouting: What do college basketball scouts look for in a player?

You must be aware there are several factors which college basketball recruiters consider before thinking of offering a student-athlete a basketball scholarship. Believe it or not, it all starts on the ability to find you. There are many ways to locate a potential basketball scholarship player:

• Getting players listed and profiled by recruiting services.
• Receiving recommendations from high school or club coaches.
• Searching Twitter for players of interest to competing colleges.
• Attending AAU Showcases & University-run camps.

Do YOU Fit the College Basketball Recruiter’s Player Traits?

Basketball scholarship monies are carefully handed out by college recruiters so each will carefully weigh numerous aspects involving you play. Are you tall your position at the college level? Are you finished growing? Is your body frame able to add more weight through college basketball conditioning programs? These are all ‘physically-related’ questions basketball recruiters are thinking about when they come to see you play or start watching the video your recruiting service has provided them.

To answer on-court questions, basketball recruiters and coaches will create a checklist regarding your skills. For each part of the checklist, college coaches/recruiters will score you as being Strong, Fair, or Weak. You will be rated for: Boxing Out, Offensive Rebounder, Ball Handling, 1-on-1 Offense, Penetrator, Passing Skills, Quickness, Defense (on the ball), Defense (Away from ball), Spot Shooter, Free Throw Shooter, Aggressiveness, Leadership and Attitude.

Don’t forget your grades – including Overall Grade Point Average and ACT/SAT scores. Be sure you take the college entrance tests, and re-take them if you score poorly. The NCAA Eligibility Center guidelines are for prospective D1 and D2 student-athletes to follow. Strong grades are also important for D3 schools as academic scholarships are available for incoming athletes meeting the award criteria.

When Does Recruiting Begin?

Top collegiate programs will start sending basketball recruiters to watch you as early as when you are in middle school – IF YOU ARE A TOP-TIER TALENT.

How Many College Basketball Teams Are There?

Here is the total number of basketball programs at each division level.

Men’s Basketball Programs

There are approximately 1,844 men’s basketball teams in total.

• There are 344 NCAA division 1 teams in men’s basketball.
• There are 282 NCAA division 2 teams in men’s basketball.
• There are 403 NCAA division 3 teams in men’s basketball.
• There are 255 NAIA teams in men’s basketball.
• There are 560 NJCAA teams in men’s basketball.

Women’s Basketball Programs

There are approximately 1,834 women’s basketball teams in total.

• There are 335 NCAA division 1 teams in women’s basketball.
• There are 298 NCAA division 2 teams in women’s basketball.
• There are 426 NCAA division 3 teams in women’s basketball.
• There are 256 NAIA teams in women’s basketball.
• There are 519 NJCAA teams in women’s basketball.

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The Average Height of College Basketball Players

These are the general guidelines for size requirements coaches look for in a basketball player. If you fall outside of these marks it doesn’t mean you can’t play at that level only that it might be more difficult.

Men’s Basketball

The average height of a men’s basketball player is 6’3”.

Women’s Basketball

The average height of a women’s basketball player is 5’6’”.

College Basketball Camps and Showcases

Do you know the difference between a basketball camp and a basketball showcase?

Basketball camps are summer camps run by colleges at all levels which have a basketball program. If you are serious about playing for a specific team, it is a great idea to attend one or more of these summer camps. Here’s why:

• You will be learning the game of basketball from established college coaches. These coaches may teach you something you haven’t learned from your high school or AAU coaches.
• Exposure – You get the opportunity to show you basketball skills to coaches who may not have heard of you. This exposure is not just to the coaches from the college where the camp is being held. Many times, especially with larger universities, outside coaches (from NCAA D2, D3 or NAIA, e.g.) will be hired to assist as camp coaches due to the sheer number of campers in attendance.
• Athlete interaction – You will get to talk with athletes from other high schools or AAU teams. It could result in moving onto a better summer league team or gaining insight about recruiting experiences.

Showcases are events held, mostly during the summer, where you can play with other prospective college basketball recruits and display your court talents to college recruiters in attendance. While pricey this may be considered an investment for your desire to play basketball at the collegiate level. Most of these events will offer video of your games to assist in your recruiting process. Aside from possibly playing in front of college basketball recruiters, you will also get a better handle on your overall skills as you may be facing better competition than you do during your high school season.

Get more information about College Basketball Camps.

Choosing a college basketball camp can be a little difficult for you at first, but here are some tips to think about before making a final decision. You have to ask yourself the reason you want to attend a basketball camp.

When is National Signing Day for Basketball?

National Letter of Intent, or National Signing Day as it’s more commonly called, is the specific time when you as student-athlete will decide which scholarship offer you will accept from a college basketball recruiter. For NCAA D1 schools, the next signing day is April 17, 2019 through May 15, 2019. The next period is November 13-20. If you are offered a ‘letter of intent’ you will have seven days to sign and return it to the university’s basketball department. The signed agreement means you will commit to playing for that college for at least one year. The college must also let you know each year if the scholarship has been extended. Even if you sign the letter of intent, you must also be able to meet all of the admissions requirements of the school before actually attending classes. Before signing, you need to be certain this is the school you want to attend. If you request a release from the agreement it may or may not be approved by the university.

Athnet is here to help you in your desire to play basketball at the collegiate level.

Through our many resources – including our website, free online profiles and various partnerships – we will provide you, the college recruit, as well as your family, easy-to-understand advice and subsequent resources to catch the attention from college recruiters. Recruiting and scholarship advice comes to you from our knowledgeable company representatives as each of them carries the experience of a former college coach or player. Your online presence is really a great way to start your recruiting experience. Did you know the vast majority (90%) of college recruiters start the process with an online search of student-athletes?

Build your free recruiting profile today!

420 thousand coaches are in our network of college recruiters and they will be looking at your latest video and statistics included in your profile. Don’t miss out on your chance to get the ‘early’ looks from college recruiters.

How women’s basketball started

Basketball history

Duke University Athletics

Sports Scholarships at US Universities

Sports Scholarships from the US University is an opportunity to get a free or almost free higher education in the States while doing your favorite sport at the highest level.

Sports are an important part of the American education system. Each institution of higher education in the United States provides its wards with the opportunity not only for intellectual, but also for physical development. Students are offered fully equipped sports and gyms, stadiums, tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools and other elements of sports infrastructure.

I must say that the attitude to physical education in US universities is more than serious. Students do not just periodically visit the pool or make a circle or two on the treadmill, they purposefully go in for this or that kind of sport, participate in interuniversity competitions, win prizes.

By the way, university team competitions are a big source of income for educational institutions. Let's say tickets for intercollegiate football games cost between $50 and $100. Both students and local residents come to watch the competitions.

However, for university games to be successful with spectators, participating teams must demonstrate a high level of professionalism. In other words, universities need strong athletes. That is why part of the money earned from competitions goes to provide sports scholarships at universities.

Since higher education in the United States costs a lot of money, scholarships that fully or partially cover the cost of education are a great way to attract to the university those guys who excelled in the sports field at school, which means that in the future they will be able to glorify their alma mater .

33 sports at 1500 universities in the US

There are 33 sports for which you can get an athletic scholarship in the US:

Approximately 1,500 higher education institutions participate in the athletic scholarship program in the United States.

Athletic Scholarship Benefits

There are 2 types of Athletic Scholarships in the USA:

• The full ride scholarship covers the student athlete's expenses not only for university studies, but also for meals and accommodation. In some cases, the full ride scholarship includes the cost of insurance.
• Partial Athletic Scholarship (partial scholarship) covers tuition costs (either 100% or 50-90%). The student pays for accommodation and meals on his own.

The amount of the scholarship is determined individually based on the level of sports and academic training of the applicant.

In addition to the obvious benefit of financial support, a sports scholarship provides a number of other benefits:

• Unlike an ordinary applicant from Russia, an athlete does not need to spend time and money on preparatory courses to make up for the missing year of schooling. A certificate of 11 classes of education is enough to get a sports scholarship and enter an American university.
• The requirements for SAT and TOEFL results for athletes are lower than for other students, which greatly simplifies the admission procedure. For example, at the University of Miami, an ordinary student must pass SAT for 1200-1300 points, TOEFL for 80 points, an athlete - SAT for 700-900 points, TOEFL for 60-70 points. GPA for an ordinary student is 3.5-4.0 points, for an athlete - 2.8-3.5 points.
• For both full and partial scholarships, the cost of sports at the university (equipment from the best sports manufacturers such as Nike and Adidas; personal nutritionist; trips to away games, etc.) is paid by the athletic department of the university.
• Participation in guest games is a great opportunity to travel around the US and get to know the culture of the country better. During the breaks between competitions and trainings, athletes will have a rich cultural program: excursions to historical sights, visits to museums, restaurants. All this is again at the expense of the university.

How do I get an athletic scholarship to study at a US university?

Requirements for candidates applying for an athletic scholarship at an American university differ depending on the age of the athlete.

Sports scholarship requirements
Athlete age	Required documents	Tests	Sports achievements
15-18 years old (10-11 grade students, college students)	Certificate for grade 11 Grades for grades 8-11 Certificate for grade 9*	SAT TOEFL	Athletic summary by sport Video* National and international athlete rankings
18-20 years old Students of Russian universities (1-3 courses) We strongly recommend that you start looking for a scholarship 2 years before graduation or at the 1-2 year of study at a Russian university - this greatly increases the chances of finding the best option and calmly preparing for passing all the necessary tests. Knowledge of English For a foreigner, a prerequisite for admission to an American university is a good knowledge of English. Universities accept TOEFL test results as documentary evidence of language proficiency. As mentioned above, the passing scores for athletes, as a rule, are lower than for all other applicants - this greatly facilitates the admission process. Academic performance US universities are interested in the academic performance of an athlete - however, the requirements for an athlete's grades are much softer than for the GPA of an ordinary applicant. From a graduate of a Russian school, you will need the result of the SAT academic test, a certificate, as well as a list of grades for grades 8-11. If a student of a Russian higher educational institution enters an American university, instead of the SAT results, he must submit a certificate from his university, indicating the number of hours and grades for the disciplines passed. At the same time, American universities are only interested in exam results, credits are not accepted. Sports achievements Of course, the main criterion for the selection of athletic students is their sports achievements, reflected in a special athletic resume. Specialists of the Global Dialog company will help you to compile this document competently. How does Global Dialogue help in obtaining sports scholarships? The procedure for obtaining a sports scholarship with the help of Global Dialog is as follows: At the preliminary stage, the company's specialists get acquainted with the athlete and his parents, analyze his chances of obtaining funding: which universities should be chosen, what type of scholarship awaits the student. After the acquaintance has taken place, the athlete receives instructions that detail what documents he needs to collect and how to properly complete them so that the Global Dialog manager can continue to work. Instructions from Global Dialog include: an example of a resume detailing sports results; instructions for shooting video (if necessary) - requirements for length, plot, etc.; SAT and TOEFL registration information; instructions for school documents; instructions for registration in athletic associations. If the applicant is in Moscow, then the Global Dialog specialist will fill in and send the documents. If the applicant lives in another region, then the manager of the company advises the client on sending papers. Having received from the athlete all the necessary papers, as well as copies of Russian and foreign passports, Global Dialog compiles the client's athletic profile and sends it to the database of university coaches. After receiving several answers, the student receives the contacts of the trainers and enters into correspondence with them. After talking with the athlete, the coach decides whether he is ready to take this person to his team, and if so, on what conditions (amount and type of scholarship). While the applicant is in correspondence with the coaches, Global Dialogue finds out the specific requirements for applicants-athletes at the selected universities. At the same stage, the athlete begins preparing for the test. When the tests are passed, the student finally decides on the university in which he will go, submits an application for admission and signs a contract for a scholarship. Finally, having received an i-20 (a document confirming admission to the university), with the help of the Global Dialog manager, the athlete issues a student visa and goes to study. After receiving an Athletic Scholarship An Athletic Scholarship is one of the most stable forms of funding available to an American university student. Unlike an academic scholarship, which can be lost for absenteeism or poor progress, a sports scholarship is allocated for the entire period of study at the university - 4 years, and it is quite difficult to lose it. As a rule, athletes are deprived of funding only for flagrant violations of the terms of the contract. Athletes are allowed to miss classes during away games, and if performance drops due to competition, they offer free tutoring. Foreign athletes are also helped to learn the language and make a simplified schedule. By the way, if an athlete gets injured that does not allow him to continue playing for the team, the university will pay for the treatment. The scholarship will continue to be paid for the entire remaining period of study - these are the conditions of the athletic contract. In addition, sports at the university open up excellent prospects for professional development for the graduate. After graduation, an athlete who has proven himself in intercollegiate competitions can continue his sports career or choose to work as a coach. Many famous athletes started their ascent to the sports Olympus as part of the university team: basketball player Michael Jordan played for the University of North Carolina, golf player Tiger Woods played for Stanford University, and football player Dwayne Johnson once represented the University of Miami. By the way, participation in interuniversity competitions will also be useful for those who are not going to connect their lives with sports. Purposeful, team-oriented athletes are highly valued by recruiters around the world, regardless of the company's field of activity. Find out your chance of getting a scholarship Sports scholarships in Europe: schools, universities, sports Sports scholarships in Europe are offered by prestigious private schools, universities are one of the most interesting ways to receive funding and grants for education. The system of sports programs in Europe differs from the United States or Canada: there are no organized college or high school leagues that could match the American NCAA in terms of the level of sportsmanship. The system of organization is close to the existing one in Russia and the CIS countries, where educational and sports institutions are organizations independent of each other, but it is still possible to fully combine prestigious education and professional sports. Our long-term partnerships with educational institutions, sports academies and centers, experience in successfully selecting scholarships for talented athletes from Russia, understanding how the negotiation process works with the leadership of sports departments in Europe, helps students receive full or partial sports scholarships. Features of sports scholarships in Europe Sports scholarships in Europe are not the same for all countries and depend on what sports are developed in a particular state. Thus, hockey in Europe is more developed in Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, basketball - in Spain, Serbia, Italy. If you consider European countries not only as a place of education, but also for combining with professional sports training, then it is important to take into account the level of development of the sport of interest in a particular country. List of European countries in which it is possible to get sports scholarships for various sports: Italy Spain Germany Great Britain Czech Republic Serbia Austria Austrian Sweden Finland Lithuania Latvia. Sports scholarships in Europe can be obtained if you show high results in sports such as: Sports scholarships in Europe fully or partially cover the cost of training athletes. The amount of financial assistance depends on many factors, but first of all it is the sports level of the athlete, at what level he performs (history of victories, participation in high-level competitions), his physical data. A full scholarship (full funding of education, accommodation, meals) is usually awarded to young people who have the potential of professional athletes. How to get a sports scholarship in Europe? It is not easy to get sports scholarships in Europe for foreign schoolchildren and students, but it is quite possible. Preparing to apply for a scholarship in Europe: Consultation with a professional sports coach to get a realistic assessment of scholarship chances Selection of European schools or universities that meet the needs and priorities of the student promotion Correct registration, preparation for the necessary tests (IELTS, FCE, CAE, A-level diploma, IBO) Comparison of scholarship conditions of various universities Applying to an educational institution Preparation of visa applications, purchase of insurance. Our company has extensive experience in working with athletes from Russia and the CIS of different ages. An example of a successful application for a European scholarship is Ivan Tikhanov, a hockey player from Moscow: he plays hockey and is educated in Switzerland at the HC Lausanne hockey club. Ivan successfully spent his first season at the club: the first team management has already noticed Ivan, planning to involve him in training with senior teams. Europe's Top 10 Football Scholarships Football is highly valued in Europe, as the countries of the continent benefit greatly from organizing football competitions at different levels. Football scholarships in Europe are available to bachelors, masters and football enthusiasts, many football scholarships subsidize tuition fees and advance the student's football career. Scholarship name Scholarship "Your Chance" MSM International Football Academy The Football Academy is interested in talented athletes who demonstrate professional potential. To receive support, players must prove financial need. BU Sport Scholarship Bournemouth University Financial assistance is available to bachelors and masters: they must be high-level athletes in any field of sport, including football. The athlete will represent BU in the BUCS League. Newcastle University Sports Scholarships Newcastle University Scholarship assistance is distributed annually to bachelors and masters. It is designed for athletes involved in various sports. Applicants provide information about their progress, must represent the university at competitions at all levels and constantly improve their level. University of Stirling - International Sports Scholarship Program University of Stirling, UK One of the UK's largest sports programs supporting young people with the potential to compete in the future. Disciplines: football, golf, swimming, tennis, triathlon. UCLAN Women’s Soccer Scholarship UCLAN Girls Football Scholarship supports individual and team performance. Athletes are assigned to special sports centers, perform at the regional and national levels. London South Bank University Sports Scholarship London South Bank University Financial assistance supports individual and team sports performance at two levels for girls: Sports Excellence Award - for district and regional representatives Elite Sports Performance Award - for national representatives. University Sports Scholarship Scheme University of Kent Sports scholarships are available to boys/girls involved in any sport (candidates must have sports achievements at the regional level). Brunel University Sports Scholarship Brunel University Able candidates apply for an athletic scholarship if they have been enrolled in an academic course. 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