How to Get Recruited for College Basketball (Women's) in 2026
Complete guide to women's college basketball recruiting. Grassroots circuit, evaluation periods, position requirements, scholarship counts, and how to contact coaches across all divisions.
Women's Basketball Recruiting Overview
Women's college basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth. With increased media attention, NIL opportunities, and competitive parity, more programs are investing in recruiting than ever. D-I women's basketball offers 15 scholarships per team, more than men's basketball (13).
The grassroots circuit for women's basketball follows a similar structure to men's. Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas sponsor evaluation events where coaches scout talent. RawRecruit matches women's basketball players to programs based on position, academics, and cultural fit.
Position Requirements
Point Guard: 5'5" to 5'9" at D-I. Ball handling, court vision, and ability to run the offense. Shooting ability is increasingly important.
Shooting Guard / Wing: 5'7" to 5'11". Perimeter shooting, driving ability, defensive versatility.
Forward: 5'10" to 6'2". Must be able to rebound, defend in the post, and increasingly stretch the floor with 3-point shooting.
Center / Post: 6'0"+ at D-I. Post scoring, shot-blocking, rebounding. Mobile post players who can step out and shoot are highly valued.
Women's Basketball Recruiting Calendar
Grassroots Season (March-July): AAU and grassroots events are the primary evaluation venue. Nike EYBL (girls), Under Armour, and regional circuits.
Spring Evaluation (April): NCAA Live Periods for women's basketball. Coaches attend high school and grassroots events.
July Evaluation: Second major live period. National AAU tournaments. Critical for uncommitted rising seniors.
Early Signing (November 12-19): Most committed athletes sign during the early period.
Late Signing (April 16 - May 21): Remaining spots are filled.
Transfer Portal (March 24 - April 29, August 1-15): Two entry windows. Increased portal activity creates opportunities for high school recruits.
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See My Fit Score, FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How many scholarships does D-I women's basketball offer?
D-I offers 15 scholarships per team (more than men's 13). D-II offers 10 equivalencies. NAIA offers 11. D-III offers no athletic scholarships.
Is women's basketball recruiting more or less competitive than men's?
Women's basketball has more scholarships per team (15 vs 13) but fewer total programs. The competition is intense at the D-I level but there are excellent opportunities at D-II, D-III, and NAIA.
Kevin Monangai
Founder & CEO, RawRecruit
Kevin built RawRecruit to serve athletes across all 5 sports, including women's basketball, one of the fastest-growing sports in college athletics.
Read Kevin's full story