Does being part of a certain college conference increase my chances of making it to the NBA? I've noticed that certain conferences seem to produce more NBA players than others. Is this a crucial factor when choosing a college if I aspire to be in the NBA?
When considering which college to attend for aspiring NBA prospects, the conference can indeed play a role. However, keep in mind that the conference itself is not the outright determinant of a player's NBA prospects; it's more about the opportunities and exposure it offers.
Elite conferences, such as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big 10, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), among others, often host schools with well-established basketball programs. These schools typically provide robust coaching, considerable competition, and substantial visibility to scouts due to their prominent TV broadcast deals.
For example, Duke University (ACC), University of North Carolina (ACC), University of Kansas (Big 12), and University of Kentucky (SEC) have strong reputations for producing NBA talent, in part because their conferences have strong competition, excellent coaching, and wide exposure.
That said, talent doesn't go unnoticed, regardless of where it's located. Numerous successful NBA players come from lower-profile schools and smaller conferences. Damian Lillard, for instance, was drafted from Weber State (Big Sky Conference).
Ultimately, while the conference can provide visibility and a high level of competition, the most important factors are likely personal development, coaching quality, and the effort you put into your game, no matter where you decide to play. So, when choosing a college, consider the coaching staff, the overall program, and how well you believe it can aid in your growth as an athlete.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.