When Do Basketball Rankings Come Out? Weekly Schedules

By Sarah Miller · July 10, 2032

College basketball rankings are typically released weekly during the season, with the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll coming out every Monday starting in mid-November and continuing through early March. For NBA teams, power rankings are published by major sports outlets like ESPN and Bleacher Report on a weekly basis throughout the regular season.

Understanding Basketball Rankings Schedules

Basketball rankings vary depending on the league and organization producing them. The most widely recognized college basketball polls—the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 and the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll—follow a consistent weekly release schedule during the season. These rankings offer insights into team performance and influence NCAA tournament selections.

Key Release Dates for Major College Polls

The AP Top 25 is released every Monday around noon Eastern Time.
The USA Today Coaches Poll also drops on Mondays, usually shortly after the AP poll.
Both polls begin in November and continue through Selection Sunday in March.
The first week of rankings typically features preseason editions in early November.

NBA Power Rankings Schedule

Unlike college polls, NBA power rankings are not governed by official organizations but are instead produced by media outlets. ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Athletic publish their updated power rankings weekly, usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, reflecting games played the prior week.

When Do High School Basketball Rankings Come Out?

High school basketball rankings are managed by independent services such as MaxPreps, USA Today High School Sports, and BallisLife. These rankings are generally updated biweekly or monthly during the season, with final national rankings published in late February or early March following state championship results.

Top High School Ranking Services

MaxPreps: Updates its Xcellent 25 weekly during peak season.
USA Today: Publishes its Super 25 rankings every few weeks.
BallisLife: Releases national top 25 lists mid-season and post-season.

International and FIBA Rankings

FIBA, the international governing body for basketball, updates its world rankings every few months based on regional competitions and global tournaments. The most recent update was in September 2024, with significant changes expected after the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup and EuroBasket qualifiers.

Ranking Type	Frequency	First Release	Last Release	Publisher
AP Top 25 (NCAA Men)	Weekly	November 4, 2024	March 17, 2025	Associated Press
Coaches Poll (NCAA Men)	Weekly	November 6, 2024	March 19, 2025	USA Today Sports
ESPN NBA Power Rankings	Weekly	October 28, 2024	April 15, 2025	ESPN
MaxPreps Xcellent 25	Biweekly	December 2, 2024	March 3, 2025	MaxPreps
FIBA World Rankings	Quarterly	September 2024	June 2025 (est.)	FIBA

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The table highlights key differences in ranking frequency and timing across levels of basketball. College polls maintain strict weekly schedules aligned with the competitive calendar, while high school and international rankings are more flexible due to logistical constraints. Media-driven NBA rankings show the highest update frequency, reflecting the fast-paced nature of professional sports coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Basketball Rankings

When do AP college basketball rankings come out?

The AP Top 25 college basketball rankings are released every Monday during the season, starting in early November and running through March. The release typically occurs around 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

How often are NBA power rankings updated?

NBA power rankings are updated weekly by major sports websites. ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Athletic typically publish new rankings on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, reflecting the previous week’s game results.

Are there preseason basketball rankings?

Yes, both the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll release preseason college basketball rankings in early November before the season begins. High school services like MaxPreps also publish early-season rankings in December.

Do FIBA world rankings affect Olympic qualification?

Yes, FIBA world rankings play a role in determining seedings and qualification paths for the Olympics and World Cup. Teams earn ranking points based on performance in continental and global tournaments.

Which college basketball ranking matters most for NCAA tournament selection?

While neither the AP Poll nor Coaches Poll directly determine NCAA tournament bids, they influence perception and resume strength. The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, released daily, are the primary metric used by the selection committee.