Navy Midshipmen men's basketball

Early history

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 9–0 record. In addition, the 1919 squad posted a 10–0 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.

Tournament success (1986-2004)

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 26–6 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 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 184–161 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.

Present-day success (2020-present)

During the 2020–21 season, under head coach Ed DeChellis and assistant coach John Perry, the Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team posted a 15–3 overall record and went 12–1 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 1996–97 season, but were upset in the quarterfinals by No. 9 seed Loyola (Maryland).

In the 2024–25 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, 74–52, in the final. Following the season, Ed DeChellis retired after 14 seasons, and Jon Perry was promoted to head coach.

Postseason history

NCAA tournament results

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 8–11.

NIT results

The Midshipmen have appeared in one National Invitation Tournament. Their record is 0–1.

Conference tournament championships

Patriot League tournament

:See: Patriot League men's basketball tournament

• 1994: tournament champion (tournament MVP: T.J. Hall)
• 1997: tournament champion (tournament MVP: Hassan Booker)
• 1998: tournament champion (tournament MVP: Skip Victor)

Colonial Athletic Association tournament

:See: Colonial Athletic Association#History of the Tournament Final

• 1985: tournament champion (tournament MVP: Vernon Butler)
• 1986: tournament champion (tournament MVP: David Robinson)
• 1987: tournament champion (tournament MVP: David Robinson)

Awards and honors

Colonial Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player of the Year

• 1984–85 – David Robinson
• 1985–86 – David Robinson
• 1986–87 – David Robinson

Patriot League Men's Basketball Player of the Year

• 2007–08 – Greg Sprink

Athletic Hall of Fame

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.

Notable players

• Laurence Wild (1913) – Later head coach of the team, and the 30th Governor of American Samoa.
• Brian Gregory (1985–86) – head men's basketball coach at South Florida
• Cliff Rees (1984–88) – over 1,100 career points at the Naval Academy and teammate of David Robinson.
• David Robinson (1983–87) – two-time NBA champion and a 2009 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame; the CAA's all-time points leader (2,669);
• Doug Wojcik (1982–86) – a teammate of David Robinson; former head coach at the College of Charleston and Tulsa University.

References

References

1. [http://navysports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/0607-media-guide.html Navy men's basketball 2006–07 media guide]. Accessed April 20, 2008.
2. (2009). "ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game". ESPN Books.
3. "Pete Herrmann Coaching Record".
4. "Pete Herrmann".
5. "Don DeVoe".
6. "Don DeVoe Selected for Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame".
7. (28 February 2021). "Navy Men's Basketball Earns Patriot League South Division Title".
8. "2020–21 Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team".
9. "2025 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament".
10. "Navy Promotes Jon Perry to Head Men's Basketball Coach".
11. [http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=742372 Men's Basketball Past Team Champions]. Colonial Athletic Association official website. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
12. Robinson also received several national awards, including: [[Naismith College Player of the Year]], [[John R. Wooden Award]] (Player of the Year), and [[Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year]].
13. [http://www.navysports.com/hallfame/navy-hof-sport.html Hall of Fame Index] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-10-28 (by sport). Naval Academy Varsity Athletics official website. Retrieved 2010-11-10.)
14. Bailey, Steve. (August 22, 2008). "In Annapolis, Md., the Past Is Always at Hand". New York Times.
15. (2010). "Navy Men's Basketball: A Tradition of Excellence". [[CBS Sports]].
16. [http://www.mysanantonio.com/specials/battlefield/weblogs/archives/2004/07/dreaming_of_mr.html My San Antonio.com – Christenson: Dreaming of Mr. Robinson's neighborhood]. Accessed July 2, 2008. {{webarchive. link. (September 30, 2005)
17. Bailey, Steve. (August 22, 2008). "In Annapolis, Md., the Past Is Always at Hand". New York Times.