Can You See Yourself on the College Court?
There are over 7,000 men's basketball and over 7,000 women's basketball scholarships available just in the NCAA. Most basketball players, male and female have to market themselves to colleges and coaches in order to win these coveted scholarships. But if you are willing to think outside the box, you may just win a spot on a college basketball team, after all.
Elite Basketball
The stats quoted above for NCAA basketball scholarships seem like a lot. But basketball players that wish they could play college ball number in the hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. If you happen to be one of the very good, the elite players across America being actively recruited, remember: it’s a two way street. You have options, too. Make sure you shop carefully for coach, team, and school.
NAIA and NJCAA
The NCAA gets abundant press; it is the largest collegiate athletic association in the U.S. with well over 1,000 member colleges and universities. But the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) both offer basketball scholarships to men and women.
Improve your basketball scholarship chances when you explore team play at a NAIA or NJCAA school. Full scholarships in these associations are uncommon. Many of the member schools are smaller and place more emphasis on a well-rounded athlete—they value academics as much as athletic prowess.
If you’re the least bit interested in starting your college career in a two-year community college program don’t discount the level of athletic play. The truth is that on many community college campuses some fierce athletic competition is taking place.
Basketball Scholarship Offers
Here are just a couple examples of competitive basketball programs that advertise their scholarship programs.
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, in Kentucky, is a good example of a competitive NAIA member institution. Campbellsville basketball scholarships are made available to both men’s and women’s teams. Also known as athletic performance grants, these awards may be full or partial scholarships. Recruits eligible for scholarships must be enrolled full-time with a 2.0 GPA. The maximum value of the scholarship is $14,500.
William Woods University
Basketball Athletic Scholarship at William Woods University in Missouri is awarded to student athletes that demonstrate talent in the sport of basketball. Athletic scholarships are also available in other sports.
Basketball Scholarships You May Not Have Thought About
National Basketball Retired Players Association, Inc. Scholarship Fund
Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Program provides scholarships to former professional basketball players and their children who are members of the NBRPA in good standing. Applicant must be a full time undergraduate student. The scholarships are neither school specific nor major specific. Awards are based on GPA, extracurricular activities and financial need.
Women's Basketball Coaches Association
The Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship is presented annually to a female senior college basketball player. She must be pursuing graduate work as a sports communicator/journalist to qualify. Selection criteria include GPA and academic major, career statistics and extracurricular activities. A letter of recommendation is also required. Current WBCA member coaches in good standing may nominate students from their team for this award. Selection committee will make the final decision. Total award amount is $5,000, with an additional $500 allowance that cover travel expenses to the awards ceremony.
The WBCA Scholarship Award
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Scholarship is presented annually to two female college basketball players. Selection is based on academic achievement and commitment to the sport of basketball. Other criteria include sportsmanship, honesty, courage, and ethical behavior. The award is in the amount of $1,000 and can be used for undergraduate studies or to begin graduate work. All female basketball players in four intercollegiate divisions (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA) are eligible. Active A & B WBCA member coaches with an active membership are eligible to submit nominations from their team.
Touchstone Energy Basketball Camp Scholarships
Union Power Cooperative sponsors two Touchstone Energy summer basketball camp scholarships: the Kay Yow Basketball Camp for Young Women and the Roy Williams Basketball Camp for Young Men. Wolfpack and Tarheel team members act as camp coaches for the respective programs. Camps are open to boys and girls between grades 6 and 8.