Your Complete List of Men’s Division 2 Basketball Colleges

NCAA Division 2 basketball schools are a perfect fit for athletes who want to compete at a high level but also desire a more balanced sports-life balance. Players interested in learning more about D2 basketball schools should realize that these colleges still require a great deal of time, effort and dedication to the game. However, D2 basketball colleges tend to have a slightly less demanding schedule than D1 programs, allowing athletes more time in the offseason to work on their academics and pursue additional interests, such as joining an on-campus club or volunteering. D2 basketball schools often have smaller campuses and therefore, smaller class sizes, which could be a great fit for recruits who need more academic support. One of the biggest draws of Division 2 basketball colleges, however, is that they may offer recruits some playing time during their freshman year—which isn’t always guaranteed at the D1 level.

Potential recruits who want to play college basketball shouldn’t only focus their efforts on D1 basketball schools. In fact, many elite athletes—who have the height and position-specific skillset—are often recruited at the D1 level but choose to go to one of the NCAA’s Division 2 basketball colleges instead. What does this mean for athletes hoping to land a roster spot at one of these Division 2 basketball colleges? Student-athletes often consider D2 basketball programs to be “second best” to those at the Division 1 level. However, many of the top Division 2 basketball schools recruit based on similar recruiting guidelines, eligibility standards and recruiting rules as the Division 1 level. Competing at top Division 2 basketball schools is often just as intense and competitive as playing basketball at a D1 college. Just like high school student-athletes who go on to play D1, only about 1 percent of high-school basketball players end up securing a roster spot at D2 basketball schools. Potential recruits need to be prepared to work just as hard to compete at some of the best Division 2 basketball colleges. Learn about basketball scholarships and basketball recruiting rankings.

How many Division 2 basketball schools are there?

Fortunately for hopeful men’s basketball recruits, there are several D2 basketball colleges to choose from. But just how many NCAA Division 2 basketball schools are there? According to the NCAA, there are currently more than 300 D2 basketball teams across the nation. However, potential recruits should know that these 312 D2 basketball teams are also comprised of high-caliber, elite basketball players.

When researching D2 basketball schools, it’s important for potential recruits to cast a wide net. If you’re set on landing a roster spot on one of these D2 basketball teams, not only should you stay up to date on the NCAA Division 2 basketball rankings, but you should also be prepared to highlight what you like and don’t like about schools on our list of Division 2 basketball colleges. Don’t forget to consider your own measurables, such as height or position-specific stats, GPA and test scores and whether certain D2 basketball schools meet your personal preferences, such as school location, desired major and academic support offered, like tutoring services and team or athlete study hours. What does it take to play on a AAU boys basketball team?

Before starting your search, check out our Division 2 basketball rankings and explore a complete list of Division 2 basketball colleges, including their location and athletic conferences below.

Men’s Division 2 basketball rankings and top division 2 basketball schools

Several organizations offer NCAA Division 2 men’s basketball rankings, including the NCAA, USA Today Sports and the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. View the top D2 basketball schools, according to the NCSA Power Rankings.

Although the NCSA Power Rankings offer a good overview of top Division 2 basketball schools, it’s important for student-athletes to explore a full list of Division 2 basketball colleges—there are 304 D2 basketball teams to choose from—in addition to NCAA D1 and D3 basketball programs, NAIA basketball schools and junior colleges with basketball teams. Likewise, they should be prepared to consider additional factors when researching D2 basketball colleges, like personal preferences—whether a college offers their desired major, campus location and size—as well as a school’s average cost after athletic and academic aid, and even a school’s academic caliber—that is, whether they have the GPA and test scores to get admitted to one or more of these top Division 2 basketball schools.