Euro players no more?
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In part, the guidelines state that prospective student-athletes who “entered an agreement with, competed on or received compensation from a team that participates in a league with minimum compensation that exceeds actual and necessary expenses” will not have their college eligibility reinstated. The document lists MLB, NBA, NFL, Premier League and WNBA as examples of such leagues, but other top basketball leagues globally could also qualify.
The EuroLeague, widely considered the top professional league in the world outside of the NBA, has a collective bargaining agreement with a minimum remuneration of €50,000 (approximately $58,000) net (post-tax) for first-year players in the league, almost assuredly exceeding the NCAA’s guidelines. In recent weeks, several active EuroLeague players committed to college programs for the 2026–27 season, including Quinn Ellis (St. John’s), Saliou Niang (LSU), Márcio Santos (LSU) and Mantas Rubštavičius (Auburn). Each agreed to seven-figure deals between NIL and revenue share with their new colleges, according to sources familiar with their recruitments.
There are far too many deals already inked for next season for the NCAA to do anything about it. I could see a rule being implemented for the 2027-2028 season but I doubt that as well. The NCAA doesn't want the legal headache it would bring if they tried to immediately implement this.
I mean talk about insane timing, no way that would apply to this coming year.
If this includes all professionally affiliated leagues, then, good.
N’Diaye started playing professionally in 2019 and across Europe the last 3. I’m sure there was compensation but not sure the gist of it.
The ruling is the way the college game should be. If you were paid to play basketball, you should not be allowed in college.
I’m ready to see our ladies play this year and would hate to lose our euro girl. She’s awesome from all I’ve saw of her and would make us a contender this season. I know most are only thinking about the men’s game but it would hurt a lot of programs if it happens. I hope you’re right.
The Italian Lega most definitely does.
These two that you listed also come from there: Quinn Ellis (St. John’s), Saliou Niang (LSU)
This is great. I don't want ANY foreign players in AMERICAN college basketball or football, except dudes who are right out of their high schools to get 4-year degrees. And even then, there should be like no more than 1 or 2 per team.
Also, it should only be for American players who have been to school here. Of course if a kid moved here as a child and played high school he should also be allowed. I’m sure they’ll have a tough time with this.
I wouldn’t think so. But If it does, then LSU may have to forfeit the season. Isn’t nearly their entire roster (except Mo D) these guys?
This is the NCAA we’re talking about; common sense isn’t a strong suit & I’m not sure that it even exists in that realm. Obviously, enforcement should start no sooner than the 27-28 season.
I’m good with the rule, but, enforcing it immediately would cause pandemonium on an epic scale. Likely a significant enough mess to totally ruin the season. Which is why I kinda lean toward them enforcing it immediately, lol.
I’d give most any other organization or entity the benefit of doubt. But, I have no faith whatsoever in the NCAA doing the best thing or even the right thing. They’ve done such a good job of destroying CBB over the last cpl decades that I fully expect them to drive home the death knell at every opportunity & finish the job.
These guys shouldn't be allowed to play college basketball. Its a joke.
See Article I, Sections 9 and 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Those sections explicitly make unconstitutional passing a law then charging someone with violating it for actions that occurred before the law was passed -- commonly known as ex post facto laws.
I get that an NCAA rule isn't the same as a local, state or federal law, but an avalanche of lawsuits would immediately cite the Constitutional prohibition to challenge the fairness of trying to bar players from teams who had already signed deals.
At best, the NCAA could stop anyone from doing this going forward, maybe. But I suspect even that would be open to legal challenge.
I'd be shocked if the signing of N'Diaye, to cite an example, was voided.
I get that an NCAA rule isn't the same as a local, state or federal law, but an avalanche of lawsuits would immediately cite the Constitutional prohibition to challenge the fairness of trying to bar players from teams who had already signed deals.
At best, the NCAA could stop anyone from doing this going forward, maybe. But I suspect even that would be open to legal challenge.
I'd be shocked if the signing of N'Diaye, to cite an example, was voided.
IMO no player overseas playing professionally paid or not should be eligible, no player declaring for the NBA draft and being selected or not should be allowed to play college basketball.
Sweeney listed the likes of Quinn Ellis (St. John’s), Saliou Niang (LSU), Márcio Santos (LSU), and Mantas Rubštavičius (Auburn) as international professionals who recently committed to college programs. Their eligibility could now be in doubt. This could also potentially impact Kentucky basketball. For the upcoming 2026-27 season, the men’s team has signed Ousmane N’Diaye, who was playing professionally in Italy, while the women’s team signed Ajša Sivka, who was playing professionally in Spain.
I disagree. The NCAA was SUPER smart and had tons of common sense. Everybody else screwed up.
The NCAA had it where players couldn't transfer or make NIL. And college sports were great. Then the conferences got too much power and look where we are.
Just watch the NBA playoffs to see why euros will never dominate basketball....they didn't grow up on American ball...you get a little physical with them and they fold..look at Wemby got the whole nation saying the white dude is dirty....
Looked like some good ol fashion American NBA defense to me...they always forget this is America baby. We run shiyatt round here and round there
Looked like some good ol fashion American NBA defense to me...they always forget this is America baby. We run shiyatt round here and round there
Anyone who lost a 3/4 and money is freed up might present a new Momchilly suitor.
Along with losing N’Diaye.
Will Wade can do whatever he wants idgaf - that dude is bad juju walking.
Changing the rule makes sense, but trying to make it retroactive I would think is unlawful and will be sued by anyone who it touches.
27-28? Ok great.
20 of the top 24 college basketball players at state schools are foreign born. I don’t like my tax dollars subsidizing foreigners.
The whole thing is ridiculous, we can pay a high school senior a couple million dollars but are worried about an over seas player. Why not rule transfers the same way, they were paid by another school, what’s the difference
This. When you think about it, it does seem kinda silly trying to make these distinctions.
They’re now ALL pros …PERIOD …regardless of where they came from or where they played last. When the HS star accepts the fat NIL deal he becomes every bit as much a pro as the guys who came from overseas leagues. So there ain’t much logically coherent rationale for treating them differently.
But it seems important to many folks that we still pretend like they’re different.