Intermoutain Hoops

Starting with the class of 2016, the NCAA has instituted dramatic changes in the DI initial eligibility academic requirements. These rules are now in effect and all players/parents/High School coaches should make it a priority to read, study  and adapt to these new rules. 

Two of the most important changes in the new requirements are a higher minimum GPA and higher test scores on the SAT or ACT. Also new credit requirements are now in place and many loopholes regarding core classes have been somewhat reduced/eliminated. It is important that basketball prospects in the classes of 2016 and beyond fully understand these new changes if they are considering the possibility of playing NCAA DI basketball.

The following is a summary of the new NCAA DI academic requirements to be a full qualifier that will apply to the class of 2016 and beyond:

10 of the 16 required core courses must be completed before the start of the player's Senior year. You cannot wait until your Senior year to get any of the required 10 of the 16 core courses completed.

7 of the 10 required core courses must be in English, Math and Science. Others may be in these subjects, social science, philosophy, or foreign language.

The minimum core course GPA has increased from 2.0 to 2.3.

The NCAA does NOT take into account +/- grades and only counts the letter grade. This means that anything from a C- to a C+ is counted as a C, or 2.0 points. B+/B/B- are all counted as Bs, or 3.0 points.

Grades earned in the 10 core courses are  locked in for the purposes of calculating the final core course GPA.

Any retakes of the first 10 courses must be completed before the player's Senior year

WARNING:  Always check with your school to see what courses at your school have been submitted and approved as NCAA core courses.

The NCAA has also introduced a new SAT/ACT sliding scale. The new sliding scale results in significant changes in the minimum test score requirements. The minimum SAT score required to compete as a college freshman increased by 180 points and the minimum ACT score increased by an average of 14 points (sum score).

Here are two examples of changes involving the new sliding scale:

Prior to 2016: 2.0 GPA core course +1010 SAT or 86 ACT = FULL QUALIFER

2016 and after: 2.475 GPA core course +1010 SAT or 86 ACT = FULL QUALIFER

Prior to 2016: 2.50 GPA core course +820 SAT or 68 ACT = FULL QUALIFER

2016 and after: 2.50 GPA core course +1000 SAT or 85 ACT = FULL QUALIFER

Important information about NCAA eligibility can be found here:

http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2012-04-26/new-eligibility-standards-start-2016