In our last blog post we covered all things NCAA Division III basketball. In this blog post we will dive into the NAIA level, what it is, how it differs from the NCAA, what it takes to play at the NAIA level and finally, what NAIA coaches look for in a prospective recruit.
When high school athletes think about playing college basketball, the NCAA often dominates the conversation. But the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is a powerful and often overlooked alternative that offers competitive play, scholarship opportunities, and an outstanding student-athlete experience.
Whether you’re an athlete or a parent trying to navigate the recruiting landscape, understanding what NAIA basketball is and how it fits into the bigger picture is crucial.
What Is NAIA Basketball?
The NAIA, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a governing body for college athletics that includes over 250 member schools across the United States. The NAIA is dedicated to “character-driven” intercollegiate athletics. These institutions are typically smaller private colleges, and many offer a strong blend of academics and athletics.
The NAIA has its own national championships and although for years, the NAIA level oversaw two divisions of men’s and women’s basketball, in 2020, men’s and women’s basketball divisions merged into one level of championship play for simplicity and parity.
The NAIA level does offer athletic scholarships in fact the more than 83,000 student-athletes that participate in intercollegiate athletics at the NAIA level receive $1.3 billion in scholarship dollars. For the sport of men’s and women’s basketball. NAIA institutions can offer up to 8 scholarships for their respective rosters. It is important to note that not all NAIA schools are fully funded from a scholarship standpoint.
How does the NAIA differ from the NCAA?
There are several differences between the NAIA and the NCAA. The NAIA is a much smaller division of college basketball with just over 250 member schools versus the NCAA which has around 1200 member schools across all three divisions.
The scholarship model is also different at the NAIA level. Fully funded NAIA schools as mentioned earlier can have up to 8 full-ride scholarships per team. The NAIA also allows schools to use exemptions for players with above-average GPAs, meaning their scholarship dollars do not count against the team’s total scholarship limit. The NCAA athletic scholarship allotment varies by division with the Division I level receiving the most scholarship spots (15 per roster) and the Division II level allowing up to 10 full-rides scholarships per roster. NCAA Division III does not offer athletic scholarships.
The academic eligibility requirements to play at the NAIA level also differs from those of the NCAA. To be initially eligible as a freshman to play at the NAIA level you must meet 2 of the 3 following criteria. (1) have a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), (2) minimum 18 ACT or 970 SAT and/or (3) graduate in the top 50% of your class.
Most NAIA institutions are private, or faith based. In fact, approximately 80–85% of NAIA member schools are private, and most of those have a faith-based affiliation. This is one of the defining characteristics of the NAIA. It provides a strong option for student-athletes looking for a smaller, values-driven college environment where academic, personal and spiritual development are emphasized alongside athletics.
Lastly, the recruiting timeline for NAIA schools differs from that of the NCAA. NAIA institutions have much more flexibility in recruiting. NAIA coaches can contact athletes earlier and more frequently than their NCAA counterparts, and their evaluation periods are less restricted.
What It Takes to Play NAIA Basketball
Don’t let the size of the school or the division fool you! NAIA basketball is highly competitive. Many NAIA players were standout high school athletes and could compete and be impact players at the NCAA level(s). Over the past few years, we have seen several high-level NAIA players jump in the transfer portal and level up to NCAA Division I and II schools. There have also been many NAIA players that have graduated and played professionally overseas over the years. Also, just like NCAA schools, when NAIA programs lose top talent to the transfer portal, more than likely they are looking to replace those impact players with transfers, not high school prospects. In short, just like NCAA, the NAIA level has a ton of competition for rosters spots.
What NAIA Coaches look for in Prospects
NAIA recruiting is not much different than NCAA schools. NAIA coaches are looking for positional needs, top-tier talent and most importantly, high-character, academically committed student-athletes. With smaller coaching staffs, head coaches at the NAIA level are often the ones directly communicating with recruits from the start. Because NAIA recruiting has less restrictions than the NCAA level, direct contact, invitations for a campus visit and offers can come at any time. Most NAIA schools have rolling admissions so that means they can admit student-athletes as late as summer leading up to the start of the school year.
NAIA coaches look for the same qualities as NCAA coaches do in prospects. They want players who are skilled, fundamentally sound, tough, coachable, unselfish, competitive and with high IQs. Some NAIA programs have Developmental Teams so will recruit a large class each year whereas other NAIA schools keep their rosters small (12-15 players) and are looking more for positional needs each year.
Final Thoughts: Why NAIA Basketball Deserves a Look
If your goal is to play college basketball, earn a degree, and grow as both a person and a player, the NAIA can be a phenomenal option. The level of play is strong, the opportunity to earn scholarships is real, and the degree you can earn is valuable.
Don’t dismiss the NAIA because it’s not “Division I.” Remember, many NAIA players have gone on to play professionally overseas. Although that should never be why you choose an institution, it is important to understand that the level of play is elite.
As always, the key to the recruitment process for any athlete is to be proactive, do your research, and be open-minded. An NAIA school might be the perfect launchpad for your academic and athletic future.
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!