The NCAA has taken a firm and public stance on a growing eligibility debate, shutting down any possibility of NBA players returning to college basketball or committing for the first time.
On Tuesday, NCAA President Charlie Baker issued a clear statement confirming that any player who has signed an NBA contract, including a Two-Way deal, will not be granted collegiate eligibility.
The announcement comes amid increasing confusion and controversy surrounding eligibility rulings, particularly as programs explore unconventional pathways to bolster their rosters with experienced players.
That debate was recently reignited by Baylor adding James Nnaji to its roster. Nnaji was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft but never signed an NBA contract, instead appearing in Summer League before playing professionally overseas with FC Barcelona.
Initially drafted by the Detroit Pistons and subsequently traded to the Charlotte Hornets, Nnaji’s player rights were later included in the October 2024 trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.
NCAA Draws Firm Line on NBA Contracts
In his statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), Baker left little room for interpretation, emphasizing that the NCAA’s position applies broadly to any form of NBA contract.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract),” Baker said. “As schools are increasingly recruiting individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion in applying the actual and necessary expenses bylaw to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts. Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear.”
“While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades — without even having a trial — are wildly destabilizing. I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution.”
Baker’s declaration effectively closes the door on any NBA or Two-Way player attempting to return to college basketball or enter for the first time after signing a professional deal.
The policy applies regardless of whether a player has logged meaningful NBA minutes, reinforcing the NCAA’s stance that signing a contract alone constitutes professional status.
Growing Instability Across College Basketball
Recent reports have highlighted the growing uncertainty surrounding college basketball eligibility, with cases emerging that underline the lack of clarity prior to the NCAA’s latest stance.
One such example involves Trentyn Flowers, who is currently on a Two-Way contract with the Chicago Bulls. Flowers has appeared in eight NBA games split between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Bulls and is believed to have been exploring the possibility of gaining college eligibility while drawing interest from multiple programs.
The situation has drawn frustration from high-profile college coaches navigating an increasingly murky landscape, with Gonzaga coach Mark Few speaking candidly on Sunday.
“It’s wild out there right now. We really don’t have any organizational or any real rules right now,” Few told reporters. “So guys are just trying to do whatever they can do. Until there’s a rule that says you can’t do it, it’s hard to blame anybody for doing what they’re doing.”
The uncertainty has been compounded by several recent eligibility rulings. In October, the NCAA allowed London Johnson to join Louisville with two seasons of eligibility remaining, despite the 21-year-old having spent three seasons in the G League with the NBA G League Ignite, the Maine Celtics, and the Cleveland Charge.
A similar ruling was made in favor of Thierry Darlan, another former Ignite player. Darlan, also 21, competed for the Ignite program as well as the Rip City Remix and the Delaware Blue Coats between 2023 and 2025 before signing with the Santa Clara Broncos.
The NCAA granted his eligibility based largely on his age, time removed from high school at the NBA Academy, and precedent set by international players who had previously been allowed to compete after playing professionally overseas.
These cases have fueled debate across the sport, blurring the lines between professional and collegiate pathways. However, Charlie Baker’s recent statement appears designed to bring clarity to at least one aspect of the issue.
The NCAA’s position now draws a sharper distinction between international professional experience and NBA affiliation. Players who have competed overseas without signing NBA contracts may still find eligibility pathways, while those who have signed with an NBA organization, even briefly, are now definitively excluded.
NCAA President Slams the Door on NBA Players Seeking College Eligibility