2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy hosts NJCAA Basketball
Rock Hill, SC - The 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy took place in Rock Hill, South Carolina at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center from July 23 - July 29. The NCAA College Basketball Academy hosted 104 NJCAA Men's and Women's Basketball student-athletes across 68 NJCAA institutions.
The NCAA College Basketball Academy is a developmental summer academy that gives junior college student-athletes the chance to participate in high-level basketball competition and life skill courses. Student-athletes are given the opportunity to compete and perform in front of four-year coaches and college recruiters as well as life skill courses that educate student-athletes on NCAA eligibility and compliance, the recruiting process, agents, the transfer portal, and name, image and likeness opportunities.
"The NCAA Basketball Academy is a five-star event. The moment the student-athlete was invited to attend, the hospitality began," stated Thom McDonald, NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association, Executive Director. "Everything is first-class. From the staff to the facility, you feel the prestige of the event. On behalf of all two-year college coaches and student-athletes, we could not be more grateful to be included in this event. We hope we continue to be invited back. Lastly, I would commend the NJCAA Women's & Men's Coaches Associations for their leg work to provide a pathway for our student-athletes, chaperones, and coaches to be included. This partnership with the NCAA is unprecedented."
49 student-athletes across 37 NJCAA member institutions participated in the Men's NCAA College Basketball Academy from July 23-25. The men's roster can be found HERE: Men's Junior College Roster.
"The NCAA Basketball Academy experience was outstanding from top to bottom. As a former NCAA DI assistant coach and junior college player, exposure to an elite program such as this provides players and parents with a glimpse into the future of NCAA basketball," said Terrance McGee, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Wabash Valley College. "Players were provided the life skills, education, and coaching that is sure to position them with a leg up on their competition. A positive light was placed upon junior college basketball this week providing a step closer to letting the world know the importance of the NJCAA."
55 student-athletes across 36 NJCAA member institutions participated in the Women's NCAA College Basketball Academy from July 27-29. The women's roster can be found HERE: Women's Junior College Roster.
"For the NCAA to include NJCAA Women's Basketball into their Academy means continued growth and exposure for our sport. The opportunity they are providing for our student athletes is something I am looking forward to," stated Jason Bonde, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Rochester Tech Community College. "We thank the NCAA Academy for their support and for all they are doing to make this a wonderful experience for our athletes and for the individuals accompanying them. We cannot wait to share the experiences and education they are receiving. Thank you again for including the NJCAA."
The NCAA College Basketball Academy coordinated flights, set up accommodations and arranged transportation upon arrival for each NJCAA student-athlete and chaperone free of charge. All players were provided with gear along with a detail-oriented schedule on their phone. Student-athletes and chaperones received meal vouchers daily.
"As the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association president, I am excited for two-year college student-athletes and coaches to be a part of the NCAA Basketball Academy," said Trenia Tillis Hoard, NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association, President & Tyler Junior College Head Women's Basketball Coach. "This elite and unique event offered major benefits such as educational components, collegiate information, life skill development, competition and recruiting exposure, travel opportunity and a high-level experience for the athletes and their chaperones. The red-carpet treatment for this event was a top notched experience for our athletes. We cannot thank this organization for including us in the 2024 basketball academy. This is a partnership that we hope to maintain and grow in the future."
"I would like to thank the NCAA and the NABC for expanding the Academy to include the NJCAA student athlete," stated Joe Kuhn, NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association President & College of DuPage Head Men's Basketball Coach. "The opportunity and experience for our athletes and coaches has been amazing, simply first-class. From the games to the seminars, everyone involved will learn and grow from this event. I look forward to the growth of the Academy and the opportunity it provides."
