By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
College football programs have been experiencing issues with the transfer portal and a mass exodus from their programs for the past few seasons. FCS and junior college programs get ransacked for their talent at the end of each season, forcing them to be in a constant state of rebuilding. When lesser-known programs at the D1 level do find diamonds in the rough, they do not stay in the rough for long, as the big names across the college football landscape throw large amounts of NIL money around to attract them.
Iowa State is currently being subjected to the most thorough cleaning of cabinets the NIL era has seen, with 40-plus players entering the portal since Matt Campbell’s departure. As of a few days ago, the Cyclones only had 17 players remaining on their roster — a far cry from the 105 roster limit.
College basketball has been experiencing similar problems. Yes, these programs are better-equipped to handle constant roster changes, as transfers are more prevalent in college basketball than college football before NIL. Overseas players also come and go, and younger players declare for the draft earlier than college football players. However, college basketball is facing a much different problem now. Players who have NBA experience or overseas professional experience are joining college basketball programs MIDSEASON.
In 2023, James Nnaji was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the NBA Draft as the 31st overall pick, one pick shy of being a first-rounder. He spent time with FC Barcelona, Girona (Spain) and Merkezefendi (Turkey). After a trade, the New York Knicks own his draft rights. But, just last week on Christmas Eve, Nnaji was cleared by the NCAA to sign with Baylor.
What? A guy who was drafted into the NBA, spent several years playing professionally overseas, and whose draft rights are still owned by an NBA franchise is able to join a college basketball program midseason? Yes. And, oddly enough, Baylor and Nnaji are not breaking any rules to do so.
Another example: Theirry Darlan was playing with G-League Ignite for two seasons. Now, he is playing for Santa Clara University. He was not a midseason addition like Nnaji, but how is he allowed to go backwards? Darlan and Nnaji are not technically breaking any rules, but it doesn’t feel right. London Johnson, three seasons in the G-League, now with Louisville. Abdullah Ahmed, two seasons in the G-League, now with BYU. Players who are literally a phone call away from being on an NBA roster are now in college basketball.
And, who can blame them? Coaches and players alike. For coaches, if the team across from you is pulling guys from the G-League, why not do the same? If you’re playing in the G-League and a high-level college basketball program offers you a million dollars to play basketball, and, of course, get an education, why would you say no?
So, I ask, who is currently worse off? College football teams who get gutted for talent the moment a bigger NIL deal comes along or a coach leaves? Or college basketball teams, which are now facing midseason additions of players with professional basketball experience? Legendary coach John Calipari went on a great rant about the current state of college basketball’s rules. It seems each week a different coach is calling for the NCAA to do something — anything — to protect their programs. These coaches, football and basketball alike, often have good — even great — solutions. The NCAA should start listening to them.
Reach out with comments, complaints or story ideas to cyote@dmcityview.com.
