This page was created to help you understand the various options that exist to combine post secondary school and basketball in North America.
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An important starting point is how difficult it it to make the transition. Approximately 3-4% of high school basketball players play post secondary basketball. Stats are roughly the same for both boys and girls, Canada and the US.
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With far more players wanting to play than roster spots available, it is very challenging to make the transition from high school. Adding to the challenge, most players are stronger, faster and better players in their twenties than they typically are as 17 year olds graduating high school. Somehow these younger athletes need to find a way get more time to develop to the point that they can earn coaches trust and to help their team’s win. The earlier players can focus on building winning habits and the strength/speed needed for the next level the better…but it still isn’t easy.
Luckily, there are a number of different pathways that players can take to help them find the right spot.
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Before exploring the different pathways below, it’s important to decide what is most important to the player and his/her family. Is playing basketball the most important factor or is more important to find the best school situation and then see if the basketball works out?
Generally in Canada, the schools with the best academic reputation are the hardest to get into and also have the strongest basketball programs. Think UBC, Western, Queens, U of Toronto. If attending schools like these are the biggest priority, realize that it will be really difficult to find a roster spot on the varsity team as a 17 or 18 year old right out of high school.
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If school is the most important consideration and a player isn’t getting anywhere with the coaches of *his schools of choice, he might want to see if there is a Jr Varsity team or a Club team that operates in conjunction with the school.
In the last few years there have been a small but growing number of programs that allow players to attend their university of choice while still pursuing their basketball goals. Some of these teams are directly affiliated with the university (Western Ontario, Fraser Valley, UBCO) and others have indirect associations such as Queens with Eastern Ontario Elite.
*as of the beginning of 2026, we’re only aware of JV programs for boys
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The most common paths to post secondary basketball are through Canadian and US colleges and in the last 10 years through Prep Schools. Click on each one to explore.
I have known and worked with Eric and Split Second for 15+ years in multiple roles, first as a coach for the club and now as a post-secondary coach at Camosun College and the University of Alberta. Eric has tremendous experience as a player and a coach and knows what it takes for players to make it to the next level both on and off the court.
Split Second gives young athletes the opportunity to pursue their passions and develop as players and as people, emphasizing good character, coachability and winning habits. As a post-secondary coach, my job is not only to win games and develop talent, but to help athletes to be resilient, be great teammates, perform academically, and develop character that translates in the real world. Split Second's values align with these goals, and their coaches are committed to developing habits in young people that will help them succeed at the next level and into adulthood. In a world where social media highlights and transfer portals can muddy the waters, Split Second emphasizes the things that really matter.