The Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team represents the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland, in NCAA Division I college basketball. The team competes in the Patriot League and plays its home games in Alumni Hall.
The U.S. Naval Academy began varsity intercollegiate competition in men's basketball in the 1907âÂÂ08 season. Navy was retroactively listed as the pre-NCAA tournament national champion for the 1912âÂÂ13 season by the Helms Athletic Foundation and was retroactively listed as the country's best college team for the 1912âÂÂ13 and 1918âÂÂ19 seasons by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. While the NCAA lists the historical Helms selections for reference, the Helms selections are not officially recognized as NCAA national championships, and the NCAA does not acknowledge the Premo-Porretta rankings. The Midshipmen have appeared 11 times in the NCAA Tournament, most recently in 1998.
The Navy Midshipmen men's basketball program began play in the early 20th century, quickly establishing itself as one of the nation's top teams. In the pre-NCAA Tournament era, the 1913 team was retroactively recognized by the Helms Athletic Foundation, finishing with a perfect 9âÂÂ0 record. In addition, the 1919 squad posted a 10âÂÂ0 mark and was retroactively ranked as the country's top team by Premo-Porretta. These early successes laid the foundation for Navy's long-standing basketball tradition.
Pete Herrmann served as head coach of the Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team from 1986 to 1992, succeeding Paul Evans. In his first season, he led the Midshipmen to a 26âÂÂ6 record, winning both the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular season and tournament titles, and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The season also marked the final collegiate campaign for All-American and future hall of fame center David Robinson, who was selected first overall in the 1987 NBA Draft.
In 1992, Don DeVoe succeeded Herrmann as head coach and held the position from 1992 to 2004. During his 12 seasons, DeVoe amassed a 184âÂÂ161 record and led the Midshipmen to five Patriot League regular season titles and three Patriot League tournament championships. Under his leadership, Navy earned NCAA tournament berths in 1994, 1997, and 1998. DeVoe was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1994, 1997, and 2000.
During the 2020âÂÂ21 season, under head coach Ed DeChellis and assistant coach John Perry, the Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team posted a 15âÂÂ3 overall record and went 12âÂÂ1 in Patriot League play, winning the Patriot League South Division title. The Midshipmen secured the No. 1 overall seed in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since the 1996âÂÂ97 season, but were upset in the quarterfinals by No. 9 seed Loyola (Maryland).
In the 2024âÂÂ25 season, Navy advanced to the Patriot League Tournament championship game as the No. 5 seed after upsetting top-seeded Bucknell in the semifinals, but fell to No. 2 seed American University, 74âÂÂ52, in the final. Following the season, Ed DeChellis retired after 14 seasons, and Jon Perry was promoted to head coach.
In the 2025âÂÂ26 season, Navy lead by Austin Benigni, clinched the Patriot League's regular-season title for the first time since 2000, and their first outright title since 1997. However, the season would come to a close in an Patriot League Tournament semi-finals upset against No. 4 seed Boston University 73âÂÂ72.
The Midshipmen have appeared in the NCAA tournament 11 times and made regional finals (the "Elite Eight") in 1947, 1954 and 1986. Their overall tournament record is 8âÂÂ12.
The Midshipmen have appeared in two National Invitation Tournaments. Their record is 0âÂÂ2.
For basketball players in the USNA Athletic Hall of Fame, see footnote
The Athletic Hall of Fame is housed in Lejeune Hall. Among the exhibits is the Eastman Award won by David Robinson in 1987.