Let’s clear up any confusion. This article will clearly define the NCAA Basketball signing period for all basketball players looking to play D1 or D2 in 2024. This will always be updated annually for the next year of recruits.
There are two NCAA Basketball signing periods in which basketball players can sign letters of intent. The NCAA Basketball signing periods are in the Fall and in the Spring. Players need to keep in mind that nothing is official until you have signed your letter of intent.
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What is the NCAA Basketball signing period
The NCAA signing period is when a player commits to a school by signing their National Letter of Intent (NLI). It’s one of the most exciting moments in a players recruitment process. Signing the letter of intent means you are committed to the school and team and your recruitment journey has finally come to an end.
What is the early NCAA Basketball signing period?
This is the time in November (Fall) for players who are happy with an offer from a school and want to commit early. Remember to always carefully read your national letter of intent and follow the instructions given as there are always specific times and dates that need to be followed and met. If you would like to see the full recruiting calendar CLICK HERE.
What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI) for NCAA College Basketball?
The national letter of intent is a binding contract between you the player & the school. The player (you) agrees to attend and compete for the school for a minimum of 1 year. You will also sign an athletic aid agreement at the same time. Remember, you are not required to sign an national letter of intent (NLI) but many players choose to do so when they receive one. By signing your NLI, you are agreeing to attend the school for one year in exchange for the school’s promise (which will be in writing) which says that you will be provided athletic financial aid for the entire academic year. By signing an NLI you are admitted into the school and you are eligible for athletics aid under NCAA rules. With your signing, you have effectively ended your recruitment process. Once the NLI is signed the deal is done and a recruiting ban goes into effect immediately, which means you can no longer be recruited by any other school.
NOTE: You sign your National Letter of Intent only once. You are not required to do it every year.
Do all NCAA Basketball Programs have players sign a NLI?
Most Division 1 & Division 2 schools have players sign a NLI. If you are a walk-on you will not sign a NLI. If you are attending a Division 3 school they typically do not have an NLI. NAIA schools and NJCAA schools have their own versions of the national letter of intent.
WHAT ARE THE NCAA BASKETBALL SIGNING PERIOD DATES FOR COLLEGE PROSPECTS SIGNING IN 2024
What are the signing dates for seniors graduating & signing in 2024?
April 17, 2023 till May 15, 2024
What are the signing dates for players graduating 2023?
Early signing period (Fall): Nov 8, 2023 till Nov 15, 2023
Regular signing period (Spring): April 17, 2022 till May 15 2024
Are the dates different for NCAA D2 NLI signing dates?
For Division 2 basketball the initial signing date begins on: Nov 8, 2023 and the final signing date is Aug 1, 2024.
What are the rules of NCAA signing National Letter of Intent?
- Player’s can’t sign before National Signing Day
- Must sign within 7 days of the issued date
- Your parent or legal guardian must also sign
- College coaches can’t be present during the signing
- If you don’t have your NCAA Eligibility Center amateur certification by the time school starts your NLI will be null & void
- Once you sign your NLI your recruitment process has finished
- You sign your NLI in duplicate and retain one copy of your signed NLI for your records.
- You need to send the other copy back to the school
When the school receives your signed national letter of intent, it is their responsibility to make sure that a copy is forwarded to their conference office. The school is required to file your national letter of intent with its conference within 14 days after the date of your signature. If this filing deadline is not met, the letter will unfortunately be declared invalid. To avoid this happening you can follow up with the schools admissions office.
Remember: The school admission process is separate – you must make sure you have met all their requirements to be enrolled in college correctly.
Inside info: D1 coaches are now completing their signings earlier in the year instead of waiting till mid to late spring. Even though you can still sign a NLI after the last signing periods ends it will be highly unlikely as more often than not, there will be no available roster spots.
Advice: Don’t leave it till the last minute. Players reading this should make sure they have a solid recruitment process in order. You can opt to do this with a professional who offers help with college placement or have your own solid contact with a coach. Do not wait to get started.
For basketball players trying to get recruited: Here are the dates & information about the remaining recruitment periods for class 2024 recruits:
The NCAA recruiting calendars are put in place by the NCAA to promote fairness among schools and student-athletes. For this year’s seniors (class of 2024) the recruitment period dates are highlighted in RED:
Sept. 9, 2023 through till Nov. 5, 2023 (Nov. 6, 7, 8, 9 is a dead period)
Nov. 10, 2023 through till March 31, 2024 (Dec 24, 25, 26, is a dead period – Christmas holidays, same every year!)
April 11, 2023 through till April 24, 2023 (April 15, 16, 17, 18 are dead periods) (April 19, 20, 21 are evaluation periods for NCAA certified events only)
April 22, 2023 through till April 25, 2023 (April 26, 27, 28 are evaluation periods for NCAA certified events only)
April 29, 2023 through till May 2, 2023 (May 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are dead periods) (April 26, 27, 28 are evaluation periods for NCAA certified events only)
INFO YOU NEED TO KNOWABOUT THE NCAA BASKETBALL SIGNING PERIOD:
During a contact period
- A college coach can speak with you face-to-face or with your parent
- They can watch you compete, visit your high schools and write and call you or your parents.
During an evaluation period
- A college coach can watch you compete
- Visit your high school and email and/or call you or your parents
- A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents off the college’s campus
During a quiet period
- A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents
- They can’t watch you compete or visit your high school
- Coaches can write or call you or your parents during this time
During a dead period
- A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents
- They can’t watch you compete or visit your high schools
- Coaches can write and call you or your parents
COLLEGE BASKETBALL OPENINGS
Here you can access the most up-to-date college basketball openings from college coaches looking for players to fill roster spots
