NCAA Eligibility Center

Provided by: National Association of Basketball Coaches

When the goal is college athletics, the secret to success for many student-athletes often comes down to a simple premise: Knowing what resources and tools are available to them, and maximizing those options. A prime example of this, Lebron James once said, "I'm going to use all of my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it." As a coach and leader of young student-athletes, you have the opportunity to share tools and skills - for both on and off the court - as well as resources and information that may help them along their journey toward college athletics.

The following resources should be familiar, frequently accessed items in your toolbox when addressing college-bound student-athlete questions.

NCAA Guide For The College-Bound Student-Athlete

This 40-page in-depth guide was designed to help you assist student-athletes and their families with understanding the NCAA initial-eligibility process. The guide helps the student-athlete prepare for transitioning from high school to becoming an NCAA Division I (DI) or Division II (DII) student-athlete. Information on eligibility, registration, time management, academic requirements and more are provided, and this comprehensive document is updated annually. Set a calendar reminder to download a new copy at the beginning of summer each year so that you always have a current copy of the guide available. The "NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete" should be the first source for students serious about playing DI or DII college basketball.

The guide is available on ncaa.org/publications, as well as in the "Student Resources" section of the High School Portal's "Resources" tab.

Division I/Division II Academic Requirements Fact Sheets

These one-page flyers clearly outline the academic requirements student-athletes must meet in order to qualify for DI or DII collegiate athletics. Each division's requirements (including SAT/ACT scores) are clearly outlined on their respective document, and present an easy format with which to begin a discussion regarding eligibility with your players and their families.

The two fact sheets, titled "DI Academic Requirements" and "DII Academic Requirements," are available on ncaa.org, as well as in the "New Important Rules" section of the High School Portal's "Resources" tab.

Initial Eligibility Brochure

A two-page downloadable brochure, the "Initial Eligibility" brochure provides a checklist of what students should do, starting in grade nine, to prepare for certification to be a student-athlete at the DI or DII level. Particularly beneficial for explaining the overall steps to reach certification, this brochure assists when working with younger athletes, families unfamiliar with the eligibility process or older students looking to ensure they are going in the direction toward certification. While this same information is presented within the "Guide to College-Bound Student-Athletes," the brochure is a more compact, one-page document.

The document is available on ncaa.org, as well as in the "Student Resources" section of the High School Portal's "Resources" tab.