Rutgers HC Pikiell Trolls NCAA's CBB Eligibility Rules, Eyes '36-Year-Old' for Roster

With the lines getting increasingly blurred between which athletes are and aren't eligible to play college sports, Rutgers men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell is ready to think outside the box.

Following the Scarlet Knights' 65-50 win over Delaware State on Monday, Pikiell told reporters that coaches "have to" be open to midseason transfers so as not to fall behind.

"Whoever's out there, you try to pursue. It's a weird world," he said. "I'd like to get a 36-year-old with four kids and hungry for a job. I'd like to get one of those guys. We'll see if one of those guys is available. But yeah, you got to pursue any lead that you have on anybody and then got to go through all the steps to try to make it happen. It's very complex."

Earlier this fall, the NCAA afforded eligibility to Thierry Darlan and London Johnson despite the fact they had bypassed the college route out of high school to play for the NBA G League Ignite.

That was met with pushback because the G League, while obviously not at the standard of the NBA, is a pro developmental league.

The NCAA then went a step further when it cleared a path for Baylor to sign James Nnaji. Not only was Nnaji a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft, he has also played in the NBA Summer League for the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks.

Having the Nigerian center join the Bears in the middle of the 2025-26 season raised eyebrows as well.

Arkansas head coach John Calipari argued that being drafted by an NBA team should void a player's college eligibility:

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo joked that he should see whether Spartans legends Magic Johnson and Gary Harris want a return to East Lansing.

"Why not? I mean, if that's what we're going to, shame on the NCAA," he told reporters. "Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches are gonna do what they gotta do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid."

UConn's Dan Hurley said that "it's a frustrating game to play when you don't know the rules and rules are being made up as you go."

Coaches in basketball and football have lamented the increased professionalization of those sports in recent years. Most, however, aren't going to let their principles get in the way of winning games.