Kristian Ferrell
NCAA Division I D1 schools are the largest institutions, with the best intercollegiate athletics programs in the country. They offer the most full scholarships, with the most resources and support, bigger budgets, and more focus on athletics. D1 athletes must meet certain academic requirements in both GPA and standardized test scores to be eligible for scholarships. While it is difficult to secure a D1 basketball scholarship, it is not impossible. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA eliminated most D1 scholarship limits, allowing all sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly among athletes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of schools | 350+ |
| Percentage of schools | 30% |
| Intercollegiate athletics programs | Best in the country |
| Competition | Very high |
| Scholarships | Tough to get |
| Percentage of high school athletes who make it to this level | 1.2% |
| Academic requirements | Minimum 2.3 GPA in 16 core courses |
| Full scholarships | 13 |
| Scholarships from 2025-2026 | 15 |
| Scholarship status | May change if athletes change divisions or cease playing their sport |
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What You'll Learn
NCAA D1 basketball scholarship requirements
NCAA Division I D1 schools are highly competitive, with only the best athletes winning scholarships. D1 schools typically have the largest athletic budgets, offer the most athletic scholarships, and compete at the highest level of college basketball.
To be eligible for a D1 basketball scholarship, students must register with the NCAA Eligibility Centre and submit their transcripts. They must also answer questions about their amateur status and meet academic requirements. Students need to maintain specific GPAs and test scores, and pass 16 core courses throughout high school.
D1 coaches recruit early, sometimes as early as middle school, so students need to be on a coach's radar before their junior year. They must also be exceptional athletes, with a strong high school athletic record. Less than one percent of high school athletes go on to play D1 basketball.
D1 basketball is a headcount sport, meaning all scholarships are full-ride scholarships. However, from the 2025-26 school year, D1 men's basketball will become an equivalency sport, allowing coaches to offer a mix of partial and full-ride scholarships. The number of scholarships offered will depend on the school's funding.
To keep a D1 scholarship, students must maintain NCAA eligibility, uphold team and school conduct standards, and demonstrate progress in training and performance.
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D1 basketball scholarship alternatives
NCAA Division I (D1) basketball scholarships are highly competitive and sought-after. D1 schools often have large budgets, enabling them to offer full athletic scholarships that cover tuition, housing, books, and other expenses. However, the competition for these scholarships is intense, with only about 1% of high school athletes making it to the D1 level.
If you are not offered a D1 scholarship, there are alternative pathways to consider:
NCAA Division II (D2) and Division III (D3) Scholarships:
D2 and D3 scholarships are also available and can provide appealing financial packages. While D2 scholarships may be more similar to D1, D3 scholarships are primarily academic but can still cover a significant portion of college costs.
Junior College (JUCO) Programs:
JUCO colleges are more willing to allow walk-ons to compete for roster spots and even earn scholarships. A student-athlete could walk onto a D2 program as a freshman and then earn a scholarship in subsequent years.
NAIA Programs:
NAIA programs offer athletic scholarships, and the competition for these scholarships may be less intense than at the D1 level.
Merit Scholarships:
Some merit scholarships may consider your athletic achievements but do not depend on your continued athletic performance. You might be awarded a scholarship for being a standout basketball player in high school, and it would remain even if you don't continue playing at the collegiate level.
Alternative Sports Programs:
If you are open to exploring sports other than basketball, consider revenue sports like football for men and tennis, volleyball, or gymnastics for women. These sports often offer full-ride scholarships at the D1 level and may have more opportunities.
Improving Your Skills and Exposure:
To increase your chances of securing a D1 scholarship, focus on competing at the highest level possible and playing against high-ranked recruits. Attend competitive tournaments where college basketball scouts are present. Additionally, work on improving your skills, both athletic and academic, to make yourself a more attractive candidate.
Remember, understanding the distinctions between the different NCAA divisions and their scholarship offerings is crucial. Each path has its unique blend of rewards and challenges, so be sure to research and actively pursue opportunities to achieve your college basketball goals.
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D1 vs other divisions for basketball scholarships
Division I (D1) schools are the most competitive and have the best intercollegiate athletics programs in the country. D1 schools typically have the largest athletic budgets and offer the most athletic scholarships. They also compete at the highest level of college basketball. D1 scholarships are usually awarded to the best high school athletes in the country.
D1 sports are split into two categories: headcount sports and equivalency sports. Student-athletes who receive scholarships for a headcount sport, such as basketball, are the only ones who can be offered full scholarships. Students playing equivalency sports are more likely to earn a partial scholarship.
Division II (D2) schools provide a balance between athletics and academics. D2 programs offer more partial scholarships to student-athletes, so athletes often have to cover part of their college expenses through other means. D2 basketball still offers a high level of competition and features talented athletes and dedicated coaches. However, the overall talent level and depth of the rosters may not be as high as those in D1. D2 teams may not have the same resources to recruit top-tier athletes, resulting in a slightly lower level of play compared to D1.
Division III (D3) schools emphasize the overall college experience, and while the competition remains strong, they do not offer athletic scholarships. Instead, D3 students receive non-athletic aid through grants and need-based scholarships. D3 schools do not tie financial aid to athletic participation, so a student-athlete who chooses to leave their sport will generally keep any academic, merit-based, or need-based aid they have been awarded.
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D1 basketball scholarship odds
The odds of securing a Division 1 (D1) basketball scholarship are extremely slim. Only a small fraction of high school athletes transition to collegiate competition, with the odds varying greatly by division. D1 men's basketball scholarships are highly competitive, with less than one percent of high school athletes reaching this level. The odds of a high school basketball player making a D1 basketball roster are 105:1, and the odds of making any college roster are 18:1.
D1 programs are the most competitive, as they are the best of the best and recruit only the top student-athletes for their schools. D1 schools have larger student bodies and more athletic funding, so they also tend to have more athletic scholarships available. D1 scholarships are also the most direct pipeline to professional leagues. The vast majority of professional athletes in sports like basketball come from D1 programs because these schools attract top talent and have the widest scouting exposure.
D1 men's basketball, once a headcount sport, will now be classified as an equivalency sport, meaning programs can offer a mix of partial and full-ride scholarships. The amount earned from a D1 scholarship depends on factors such as the school, tuition, sport, and skills of the athlete. Between all the scholarships awarded to D1 athletes, the average amount is around $14,270 a year for men and $15,162 a year for women.
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA eliminated most D1 scholarship limits, enabling sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly among athletes. D1 men's basketball programs will be allowed to offer 15 scholarships, up from the previous limit of 13.
While the odds of landing a D1 basketball scholarship are challenging, it is not impossible. Athletes can improve their chances by competing at the highest level possible and playing against high-ranked recruits from across the country. Additionally, coaches recruit early, sometimes as early as middle school, so it is important for student-athletes to be on a coach's radar before their junior year.
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D1 basketball scholarship changes
NCAA Division I (D1) basketball scholarships are highly competitive and sought-after. D1 schools typically have the largest athletic budgets and offer the most athletic scholarships. Teams may offer up to 13 scholarships per team for men's basketball and up to 15 for women's basketball.
D1 sports are split into two categories: headcount sports and equivalency sports. Student-athletes who receive scholarships for a headcount sport are the only ones who can be offered full scholarships. Students playing equivalency sports are more likely to earn a partial scholarship. There are six headcount sports: football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics.
However, big changes are coming to D1 basketball scholarships. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the NCAA is eliminating most D1 scholarship limits, enabling all sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly among athletes. This means that basketball, previously a headcount sport, will now be classified as an equivalency sport. Coaches will now be able to decide how to split scholarships into partial or full awards for their recruits.
These changes will allow more players to receive college athletic scholarships, but teams will also have to follow new maximum roster size limits. The new roster limits will match or exceed current scholarship restrictions for each sport. For example, NCAA football scholarship limits will have a roster cap of 105 players, up from 85.
It is important to note that D1 scholarships are not guaranteed to remain. Student-athletes must continue performing at a high level and meeting academic requirements to keep their scholarships.
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Frequently asked questions
Division 1 schools have the best intercollegiate athletics programs in the country, making them the most competitive division. Division 1 offers the most full scholarships, and student-athletes joining D1 schools are the best of the best in their sport.
For NCAA Division 1 scholarships, athletes must meet certain academic requirements in both GPA and standardized test scores to be eligible. The NCAA requires a minimum 2.3 GPA in 16 core courses (e.g. English, math, science, social science).
Competition for Division 1 basketball scholarships is tough, with only 1-2% of high school athletes going on to compete at this level. To increase your chances, compete in the summer during live periods when college coaches are scouting, and attend elite camps.
Division 1 offers the most full scholarships, while Division 2 offers more partial scholarships. Division 3 does not offer athletic scholarships, but 80% of competitors receive other forms of aid, such as academic scholarships.
Starting in 2025, schools can opt to share a “cap” of up to $20.5 million with their student-athletes, which may grow by 4% annually. The NCAA has also eliminated most D1 scholarship limits, allowing sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly.
