How many years can you play College Basketball?

Last Modified Mar 19, 2025 14:34 GMT
Time Eligibility for Playing College Basketball
College Basketball. Source: Getty Images

College basketball has become popular in America due to the male and female players who get drafted into the NBA and WNBA every year. College helps the upcoming male and female players develop their skills before they are all geared up for the professional stage.

College basketball in America is governed under the NCAA and falls into Divisions I, II, and III. Each division has separate male and female college basketball teams divided into several conferences. The teams under these divisions and conferences compete with each other to reach the NCAA Tournament and eventually become the Champion. Popular teams like UConn Huskies, LSU Tigers, UCLA Bruins, and Stanford Cardinal have managed to attract loyal fan bases because of their talented rosters in college basketball.

The NCAA also presents their male and female college basketball players with various awards and honors to encourage them to continue to give their best performances.

Time Eligibility to play College Basketball

The NCAA has provided age limitations for their male and female college basketball players, especially in Division I and Division II. It is compulsory for male and female college athletes in these two divisions to enroll themselves in a college within 12 months of graduating from high school. Furthermore, the NCAA has revealed Division I and Division II male and female college basketball players can play for four full years within five consecutive years.

These include freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. The one extra year is provided in case of emergencies like athletes suffering from injuries. In such cases, they can redshirt one year and still complete four years of playing college basketball. However, they can also provide a sixth year of eligibility for male and female college basketball players if their colleges provide valid reasons for them losing two seasons. Notably, they provided a sixth year to Alex Murphy of the Northeastern Huskies and Dylan Ennis of the Oregon Ducks in 2017.

However, for Division III male and female college basketball players, the rule is different. They are provided with 10 semesters to compete in their games. However, they have the freedom to drop out at any time and return in the future to complete these 10 semesters.

Other criteria for College Basketball playing eligibility

The NCAA has also presented other criteria for male and female college basketball players besides year eligibility. Division I male and female college basketball players must pass their high school with a GPA of at least 2.3 or greater. They should also possess a final amateurism certification from their high school. Division II male and female college basketball players should pass their high school with at least a GPA of 2.2 and have a final amateurism certification.

However, they do not have any such criteria for Division III male and female college basketball players. They allow their colleges to decide the other criteria.

FAQs on College Basketball

A. College basketball players in Division I and II can play basketball for four full seasons over five consecutive years. 

A. NCAA establishes the time criteria for Divisions I, II and III college basketball players.

A. Basketball players should enroll themselves in colleges within 12 months after graduating from high school in Division I and II. 

A. The NCAA provides a fifth year for college basketball players in case they injure themselves. 

A. Some popular college basketball teams include LSU Tigers, UConn Huskies, UCLA Bruins and Stanford Cardinal. 

Related Stories

"My daughter is TEA": $1.5M NIL-valued Flau'Jae Johnson's mom hypes daughter at the premier of Full Court Press S2 "My daughter is TEA": $1.5M NIL-valued Flau'Jae Johnson's mom hypes daughter at the premier of Full Court Press S2
"My daughter is TEA": $1.5M NIL-valued Flau'Jae Johnson's mom hypes daughter at the premier of Full Court Press S2
1d
LSU HC Kim Mulkey opens up on her contract dispute with Louisiana Tech which led to a tearful exit LSU HC Kim Mulkey opens up on her contract dispute with Louisiana Tech which led to a tearful exit
LSU HC Kim Mulkey opens up on her contract dispute with Louisiana Tech which led to a tearful exit 
12h
"They were treating me like I was some criminal": Keith Urgo makes his feelings known on NCAA's "aggressive" approach to Fordham investigation "They were treating me like I was some criminal": Keith Urgo makes his feelings known on NCAA's "aggressive" approach to Fordham investigation
"They were treating me like I was some criminal": Keith Urgo makes his feelings known on NCAA's "aggressive" approach to Fordham investigation 
"I was scared": Jeremy Lamb speaks out on Jim Calhoun's infamous "whiteboard" incident from UConn's national championship game "I was scared": Jeremy Lamb speaks out on Jim Calhoun's infamous "whiteboard" incident from UConn's national championship game
"I was scared": Jeremy Lamb speaks out on Jim Calhoun's infamous "whiteboard" incident from UConn's national championship game
"Let's rock": Shaq O'Neal's daughter Me'arah O'Neal welcomes Jade Weathersby to the Florida Gators squad "Let's rock": Shaq O'Neal's daughter Me'arah O'Neal welcomes Jade Weathersby to the Florida Gators squad
"Let's rock": Shaq O'Neal's daughter Me'arah O'Neal welcomes Jade Weathersby to the Florida Gators squad
1d
Gilbert Arenas’ daughter Hamiley posts heartfelt message for brother Alijah Arenas after worrying car crash Gilbert Arenas’ daughter Hamiley posts heartfelt message for brother Alijah Arenas after worrying car crash
Gilbert Arenas’ daughter Hamiley posts heartfelt message for brother Alijah Arenas after worrying car crash
1d
Kim Mulkey's LSU "strong front runners" for South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley: Report Kim Mulkey's LSU "strong front runners" for South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley: Report
Kim Mulkey's LSU "strong front runners" for South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley: Report
1d
“Thank you God”: Fans relieved after update around Alijah Arenas’ scary car crash “Thank you God”: Fans relieved after update around Alijah Arenas’ scary car crash
“Thank you God”: Fans relieved after update around Alijah Arenas’ scary car crash
1d
Flau'jae Johnson says she was "fangirling" over Peyton Manning at 'Full Court Press Season 2' premiere Flau'jae Johnson says she was "fangirling" over Peyton Manning at 'Full Court Press Season 2' premiere
Flau'jae Johnson says she was "fangirling" over Peyton Manning at 'Full Court Press Season 2' premiere
1d
After securing a six-year contract extension from Clemson, Brad Brownell releases humble statement After securing a six-year contract extension from Clemson, Brad Brownell releases humble statement
After securing a six-year contract extension from Clemson, Brad Brownell releases humble statement
8h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications