NOTES: In 1945, weakened by World War II and not yet ready to renew full-scale national activities, NJCAA leaders gave blessings to member colleges in the launch of an invitational basketball tournament. From 1945-47, the Western States Basketball Tournament featured some of the best two-year college teams from across the country. Though not credited with official 'national champion' declaration, it is worth noting the champions of those invitational tournaments: 1945 - Pasadena (CA), 1946 - Sacramento (CA), 1947 - Compton (CA). 

The success of the Western States Basketball Tournament laid the groundworkd for the creation of the official NJCAA regional and national championship structure that exists today. The first NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship was took place at the Southwest Missouri State Fieldhouse in Springfield, Missouri, in 1948. A year later it would be relocated to Hutchinson, Kansas.