History of NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 16, 2026

NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams consist of the best college basketball players in the United States, as determined by various voting organizations. These players are recognized for their exceptional performance and contributions to their respective teams and are selected based on their skills, statistics, and overall impact on the game during the college basketball season.

1905: Helms Athletic Foundation All-America teams considered "official"

From 1905 to 1928, the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America teams are considered the "official" teams of those years by the NCAA.

1905: Helms Athletic Foundation retroactively named All-America teams

The Helms Athletic Foundation, created in 1936, retroactively named All-America teams for years 1905–35.

1905: NCAA recognizes consensus All-America teams back to 1905

The NCAA recognizes consensus All-America teams back to 1905.

1928: Helms Athletic Foundation All-America teams considered "official"

From 1905 to 1928, the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America teams are considered the "official" teams of those years by the NCAA.

1929: First All-America teams named

In 1929, the first All-America teams in college basketball were named by College Humor magazine and the Christy Walsh Syndicate.

1932: Converse shoe company publishes All-America teams

In 1932, the Converse shoe company started publishing All-America teams in their yearly "Converse Basketball Yearbook".

1936: Helms Athletic Foundation created

In 1936, the Helms Athletic Foundation was created and retroactively named All-America teams for the years 1905–35, and continued naming teams.

1948: Associated Press began naming team selections

In 1948, the Associated Press began naming its All-America team selections.

1963: First Academic All-American basketball team named

In 1963, the first Academic All-American basketball team was named by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The first team consisted of Rod Thorn, Ken Charlton, Gerry Ward, Art Becker, and Ray Flynn.

1983: Converse ceases publication of yearbook

In 1983, the Converse shoe company ceased publication of the "Converse Basketball Yearbook". Also in 1983, the Helms Athletic Foundation stopped naming All-America teams.

1984: NCAA applies standardized point system

Since 1984, the NCAA has applied a standardized point system to those teams designated as "major" All-American teams to determine consensus teams.

1986: Associated Press named first preseason All-America team

In 1986, the Associated Press named the first preseason All-America team for the 1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. David Robinson was the leading vote-getter.