The NCAA is trying to regain control of the explosive file of signings of players who have already been in the professional world. On Tuesday, its president Charlie Baker clarified the rule: “The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any future or former student-athlete who has signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract). »
This update comes in the wake of the controversy caused by Baylor, which announced the signing of James Nnaji (31st choice of the 2023 Draft), and while Trentyn Flowerscurrently in a two-way contract with Chicago, would explore the option of a return to the NCAA…
This is because the university championship is profoundly disrupted by the NIL and the lost trials, which opened the way to the recruitment of international players who have already played professionally. And so now players drafted in the NBA, even if the NCAA does not want the return of those who have already played matches there.
“So now we also take guys who have been drafted in the NBA and that works? »yelled Tom Izzothe coach of Michigan State. “I said it a month and a half ago: let’s get Magic (Johnson) and Gary (Harris). Why not ? If this is the direction we’re going, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches too. But above all, shame on the NCAA, because the coaches are going to do what they have to do… But the responsibility goes to the NCAA. To these people in the commissions who make these decisions, who authorize something so ridiculous without thinking of the kid! »
Other big names in college coaching, John Calipari (Arkansas) et Mark Few (Gonzaga) have started.
“It’s very simple. The rules are the rules, so if you sign up for the (NBA) Draft, it doesn’t matter if you’re Russian, you can’t play at the college level.”declared the first.
“It’s crazy right now. We really don’t have any organization or concrete rules at the moment” completed the second. “People try to test all the limits. As long as there is no rule against doing so, it is difficult to blame anyone for doing so. Our lack of leadership is truly glaring. »
