In our last blog post we talked about the NCAA Division II level. Now we are going to turn our attention to the largest division of college basketball, NCAA Division III. If you are a player that has a passion to play at the college level but wants a true balance between sports, academics, and campus life then the NCAA Division III (D3) level might be the perfect fit. Here’s everything high school athletes and parents need to know about D3 basketball, how it compares to D1 and D2, and what it takes to succeed at this level.
What Is NCAA Division III Basketball?
NCAA Division III is the largest division in the NCAA, with around 450 member institutions, about 80% private and 20% public ranging from small liberal arts colleges to larger universities. D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but they do provide competitive basketball programs, excellent academics, and a vibrant campus life. Do know that the majority of D3 schools can offer both academic and institutional scholarships to help make the cost for school affordable. D3 basketball is highly competitive, the best players at the D3 level often times have the opportunity to continue on with their playing career at the professional level usually overseas.
What Makes D3 Different from D1 and D2?
Before we dive into what sets D3 basketball apart from the D1 or D2 levels it is important to note that ALL levels of college basketball are elite. Roughly only 3.5% of high school boys and 4.5% of high school girls go on to play college basketball at the NCAA level(s). It is extremely competitive to earn a roster spot at a D3 program. The major differences between D3 and the higher levels are athletic scholarships, time commitment, academic requirements and size and athleticism.
We will begin with scholarships. As we alluded to already, D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships like D1 and D2 schools do. Student-athletes at the D3 level can receive academic or need-based financial aid. Most families assume that because D3 schools do not offer “athletic” scholarships D3 is unaffordable. That is a myth. Having coached at the Division III level for 11 years I have seen firsthand the financial aid packages that D3 schools can put together for student athletes. As a recruiting specialist we have witnessed players we have helped over the years receive better scholarship packages from D3 schools versus some D2 or NAIA schools. Bottom line don’t assume because the school is D3 that it cannot put together an attractive financial aid package for your son or daughter.
The time commitment required to play at the NCAA Division III level does differ from that required at the NCAA Division I and II levels. Make no mistake, playing college basketball at any levell is a major time commitment and a year-round one for that matter if you want to be elite. However, at the D3 level coaches cannot have in-person, on-court contact with their players as much as D2 and D1 coaches can. The NCAA allows D3 programs 114 days each year to conduct on-court activities with their players. During these practice days the NCAA limits athletic related on-court activities to 4 hours per day and no more than 20 hours per week for each program.
The Academic Requirements at the NCAA Division III level also differ. D1 and D2 have NCAA mandated eligibility standards. D3 schools set their own academic requirements institution by institution. Some of the most elite academic institutions in the U.S are Division III schools with rigorous academic admission standards.
The final difference between D3 basketball versus D1 and D2 basketball is size and athleticism. The average guard at the NCAA D3 level for men’s basketball usually can range from 5’8-6’2 and post players are on average are anywhere from 6’4-6’8. Typically, the majority of Division III basketball players are playing on or below the rim. That is not to say you won’t find great athletes at the D3 level, but much of the game is not played above the rim at the D3 level. There are some outstanding players at the Division III level that have tremendous skill sets but most likely the reason they landed at the D3 level is because they lacked size and athleticism to play at the higher levels.
What Does It Take to Play D3 Basketball?
First and foremost, like all levels. You must have high character to play at the D3 level. Second, your grades matter! A 3.0 may not be enough to be admitted into some high academic D3 schools. From a basketball standpoint, having a high skill set, being fundamentally sound, having versatility (ability to play multiple positions), athleticism, basketball IQ, a strong work ethic and toughness are all things that you must possess to have success at the D3 level. College Coaches are looking for all those things combined with a strong academic record and a genuine interest in the school and their academic offerings.
Many NCAA Division III schools also offer developmental teams which are secondary teams within a college’s basketball program, designed to give additional student-athletes the opportunity to practice, develop their skills, and potentially earn a spot on the varsity roster in the future. These teams are not officially recognized by the NCAA as separate from the varsity team, and their structure can vary by institution. Developmental teams often consist of players who may not be ready for Varsity competition but show potential for growth. Developmental teams will play competitive games versus other developmental teams, junior colleges and post-grad programs.
How Competitive Is D3 Basketball?
D3 basketball is often misunderstood as less competitive, but many D3 teams can compete with lower-level D1 and D2 programs and in some cases have beaten those programs from time to time over the years. Over the past 5 years we have seen several high level D3 players hop in the transfer portal and transfer to D1 and D2 schools. Finally, as stated early in the blog, the best players at the NCAA Division III level are pros. They have an opportunity to continue on with their playing careers overseas or in other professional leagues.
Final Thoughts
NCAA Division III basketball is an outstanding option for student-athletes who want to continue playing at a high level while prioritizing academics and enjoying a full college experience. If you’re driven, academically strong, and passionate about basketball, D3 could be the perfect fit for you.
Whether you are far along in your recruitment process or just starting, there are things you can be doing to maximize exposure to college coaches and put yourself in the best position to earn a scholarship or roster spot at the college level. Net Results Recruiting is a full-service recruiting solution that will help you get your name in front of college coaches and provide expert advice and guidance on every step of your recruitment journey. If you need assistance, then contact us today. Don’t leave your future to chance. Get started today with Net Results Recruiting and take control of your basketball journey!