If you are a basketball enthusiast, chances are that you will want to continue your athletic career in college and maybe even shoot for a professional league. These are the big goals that can bear many fruits if you manage to achieve them. But to do this, you will need to do your best in college and team. And you’ll also need to pick a college that will offer you the best athletic program.
If you are still unsure where you should study, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will tell you about the top seven US colleges for student basketball players.
University of Kentucky
An undoubted #1 school for college basketball players in the US is the University of Kentucky. The school’s team, the Kentucky Wildcats, is recognized as one of the most successful ones in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Wildcats are known for scoring the most wins in the NCAA basketball division. And their coach, John Calipari, is a true legend in the field, known for spotting outstanding talent and building teams of the National Championship level.
This school also offers pretty solid athletic scholarships for basketball. However, only 34% of athletes receive it since it’s based on academic performance. Luckily, you can always find a professional service to satisfy your “write my paper today” request and boost your grades. You’ll have enough time for your sports career and get a scholarship. In any case, this college is worth the effort.
Duke University
Located in North Carolina, this school is also a great pick for athletes and especially basketball players. The Blue Devils from Duke University have a long history, with 5 wins at NCAA championships. They have also entered the top four in innumerable games at the national level. Mike Krzyzewski, known for leading teams to many victories, is the head coach for the team.
Apart from a strong team and a professional coach, this school offers a good selection of academic and need-based scholarships for athletes. The curriculum here is rigorous, though. According to students, classes at Duke are hard. Keeping up with everything can be a challenge, but most young people at Duke still manage to maintain a fair study-life balance.
University of North Carolina
The next one on our list is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This school is recognized for having one of the best basketball teams that scored seven national championships. Nevertheless, it’s known even more for producing the all-time legend – Michael Jordan.
As you can guess, getting into UNC isn’t easy. It’s also known for its rigorous curriculum and high competition. Thus, if you want to get in and get through this college, you will have to be your most productive self. Getting on the team is also uneasy. But, if you can get through all these challenges, you’ll be rewarded with a top-class education and one of the country’s best athletic programs.
University of Kansas
The next great school is the University of Kansas. Its team is the Kansas Jayhawks, which competes in the Big 12 Conferences and is also recognized by the NCAA. One more thing worth noting about this college is its first-ever basketball coach – James Naismith. Naismith is an innovator and the creator of the game. So, if you are a true basketball fan, this is the school you should really consider.
Apart from the great athletic program, the University of Kansas also offers a pretty high quality of education, solid scholarships, and plenty of other great opportunities.
Villanova University
The next one on our list, Villanova University, is pretty famous for its Wildcats. The team competes in the Big East Conference and is known for having over 1,800 wins on its account. Apart from wins, this school can boast of a large number of famous professional athletes among its alumni, including Paul Arizin, Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, and many others.
Needless to say, Villanova University is rather competitive. It’s pretty hard to get into and is known for its pretty challenging academic programs. However, at the same time, it offers top-level education and great career prospects for its graduates. So it’s worth giving it a shot.
Syracuse University
This school is known for graduating many ambitious and famous students who achieve great success in all industries, including music, cinematography, and sports. It’s recognized as one of the best colleges for basketball players, in particular. The Syracuse Orange is known for scoring a large number of wins, and it’s also known for producing one of the nation’s best players – Shaquille O’Neal.
In addition to a top-level basketball program, this college also offers high-quality education with a fairly complicated curriculum. The school has rather high standards that students need to meet in order to reach the top. And there are also many great scholarship opportunities to make your education affordable.
University of California
The last one on our list, the University of California Los Angeles, is also known for its top-level basketball program. UCLA Bruins have won 11 titles, which is an unbeaten record in NCAA. The team also produced several famous professional athletes, including Kevin Love.
One more thing that makes UCLA worth your attention is the excellent quality of education. The college has been around for a while and is known for its great academic programs. Though, of course, the academic requirements can get rather rigid and tough to deal with.
The Bottom Line
If you just love playing basketball and want to stay on the team while studying in college, you can pick pretty much any university that has a relevant program. However, if you have the ambition to try and shoot for a professional career, you need to opt for a school that will let you accomplish that.
Although getting drafted for an NBA is rather hard, the schools from this list will all boost your odds. So, if you want the best education and the best athletic career, be sure to consider the options we’ve shared with you here.
