Basketball is a game that is typically performed in an intermittent manner, and includes numerous bursts of explosive activity. Thus, implementation of training methods that best develop anaerobic fitness is of significant importance to basketball coaches and players. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a basketball specific endurance circuit training on the heart rate of second division young male basketball players. To accomplish the purpose of the study twenty four (24) male second division young basketball players were selected from Challengers Sport club, Gulele Kifle Ketema Sport club, Arat Kilo Sport club, and School of Tomorrow Sport club. These Second division Young male basketball players were randomly assigned into two groups: the experimental group (EG, n = 12) those who made basketball specific endurance circuit training group and control group (KG, n = 12). The mean age of the selected players was 16.85 ± 0.67. Resting and exercise heart rate were selected as criterion variables. Exercise heart rate was measured during multistage fitness test using polar heart rate monitor. The experimental group (EG) was made up of the players from basketball team, which in addition to basketball trainings also took part in complex training. The control group (KG) was made up of the players from basketball team, who at that time only took part in basketball trainings. The basketball specific endurance circuit training was administered 3 days per week for six weeks. They performed 2 minutes of work at 90 to 95% of targeted heart rate using the Karvonen method. They performed 8 repetitions during the first and second week, followed by 10 repetitions during the third and fourth week and 12 repetitions during the fifth and sixth week of training. This was followed by 2 minutes of active resting at 60 to 70% of targeted heart rate. In this study 1:1 work rest ratio was followed. Both the groups were tested before and after training, the experimental program lasted for 6 weeks (3x per week). Data processing was carried out using the SPSS statistical program. To determine the effect of circuit training on abilities of young basketball players, the analysis of covariance ANCOVA was used. The result of the study showed that resting heart rate and exercise heart rate between the groups was significant, indicating a significant difference between the two groups on posttest scores. The findings of the study show that significant decrease in resting and exercise heart rate. It can be concluded that basketball specific endurance circuit training is effective in improving the cardiovascular fitness of male second division young basketball players during competitive phase.