As the 2024-25 men's and women's college basketball seasons near their conclusions in March and April, the NCAA recognizes the influence of the sport that stretches from campus courts to the world stage. From Olympic and Paralympic representation to coaching totals, divisional breakdowns and postseason opportunities, here's a look at the numbers behind NCAA basketball.
Basketball's reach
- 35,926 total NCAA basketball student-athletes in 2023-24, according to the latest NCAA sports sponsorship and participation data.
- 19,275 men's basketball student-athletes.
- 16,651 women's basketball student-athletes.
- 7,882 total head and assistant basketball coaches leading teams across divisions.
Where they play: NCAA basketball by division
- Division I: 10,655 total student-athletes.
- Men's basketball: 5,607.
- Women's basketball: 5,048.
- Division II: 10,541 total student-athletes
- Men's basketball: 5,648.
- Women's basketball: 4,893.
- Division III: 14,730 total student-athletes.
- Men's basketball: 8,020.
- Women's basketball: 6,710.
NCAA basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics
Last summer, 155 current, former and incoming NCAA basketball student-athletes competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
- 154 NCAA athletes competed in the Olympics.
- 126 played 5x5 basketball.
- 26 played 3x3 basketball.
- 1 played beach volleyball: Chase Budinger, former Arizona standout.
- 1 played rugby sevens: Stephanie Rovetti, who competed in basketball at Brigham Young and Fresno State. She helped Team USA earn a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
- One NCAA basketball alumni competed in the Paralympics.
- Katie Holloway Bridge, a former NCAA women's basketball player at California State University, Northridge, competed in sitting volleyball for Team USA.
Postseason opportunities
As part of the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, the National Invitation Tournament and Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament, 456 basketball teams get postseason opportunities. That equates to more than 5,000 student-athletes competing in NCAA postseason basketball events.