A seismic shift is rocking college basketball as the NCAA, driven by the NIL era, now permits former G League professional players to join collegiate rosters, blurring the lines of amateurism and opening unprecedented pathways for talent like Thierry Darlan and London Johnson.
The landscape of college basketball is undergoing one of its most dramatic transformations in history. For decades, the line between professional and amateur sports was a concrete barrier, strictly enforced by the NCAA. Now, that line has not just blurred, but in some cases, dissolved entirely, as former G League players are making the unprecedented leap to collegiate rosters.
This shift isn’t just a minor rule change; it represents a fundamental redefinition of amateurism within college athletics. It’s a move that has sent ripples across the basketball world, eliciting strong reactions from coaches, agents, and fans alike.
The Pioneer: Thierry Darlan’s Groundbreaking Move
The most visible example of this new era is Thierry Darlan, a talented guard from the Central African Republic. In late September, Santa Clara University announced his signing, making him the first player with a G League professional background to enter college basketball. Darlan had spent two years in the G League, first with the now-defunct G League Ignite and then with the Delaware Blue Coats and Rip City Remix. He will debut as a junior, retaining two seasons of college eligibility.
Darlan’s move was quickly followed by other significant announcements. London Johnson, a former four-star recruit who spent three seasons in the G League, committed to Louisville. Additionally, 21-year-old Egyptian center Abdullah Ahmed, after two seasons with the Westchester Knicks, is reportedly weighing offers from major programs including BYU, Louisville, Auburn, Houston, UCLA, and Mississippi State.
The Crumbling Wall of Amateurism: NCAA’s Evolving Stance
For decades, the NCAA’s definition of amateurism was sacrosanct. Players who had received any professional compensation were barred from collegiate competition. Consider these historical precedents:
- In 2000, Nigerian center Muhammed Lasege was deemed permanently ineligible for Louisville after signing a $9,000 contract with a Russian professional club.
- A decade later, Enes Kanter was permanently denied eligibility for Kentucky because he received $33,033 from his Turkish club team beyond what the NCAA considered “actual and necessary” expenses.
These strict rulings would likely be handled differently in today’s environment. The advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in July 2021 and the recent House settlement allowing direct revenue-sharing from schools to athletes have fundamentally altered the economic landscape of college sports. These changes have empowered collegiate athletes, blurring the once-clear distinction between amateur and professional status.
This evolving stance has also extended to international players. In 2021, Russian prospect Egor Demin, who signed a six-year contract with EuroLeague power Real Madrid at age 15, was permitted to play for BYU. This decision came after a significant NIL deal, reportedly over a million dollars, which included a buyout from his Real Madrid contract. This precedent demonstrates a willingness by the NCAA to reconsider “professional” experience when substantial financial incentives and competitive platforms are available in the college game.
NIL: The Ultimate Equalizer and Platform Amplifier
The rise of NIL has been a critical factor in this shift. While the G League introduced its developmental program in 2020, offering elite high school players lucrative contracts (up to $1 million for Jalen Green), NIL quickly presented a compelling counter-offer from college basketball. Initially, the G League offered “select contracts” of $125,000, intended to intercept “one-and-done” players before they reached college. However, as NIL deals have skyrocketed, they have often dwarfed G League salaries.
For instance, a 2023 five-star football recruit reportedly signed an NIL deal worth over $8 million by the end of his junior year of college, making the half-million-dollar G League contracts for players like Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga seem less impressive. This financial power has enabled colleges to compete directly with professional development leagues like the G League and Overtime Elite for top talent.
Beyond the money, college basketball offers an unparalleled marketing platform. With ubiquitous Sportscenter highlights, prime-time games, and the “golden goose” of the NCAA Tournament and March Madness, college players gain immense exposure. This marketability is a dream for endorsement deals, far outstripping the “minuscule marketability in a league that lacks eyeballs” often associated with the G League.
Coaches’ Concerns and the Future Outlook
The NCAA’s new stance has not been met with universal acclaim. Veteran college coaches have voiced significant frustration:
Following London Johnson’s commitment to Louisville, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo strongly criticized the development. “To me, it’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing,” Izzo stated, frustrated that decisions are made without consulting coaches and implying fear of lawsuits drives NCAA policy, as reported by Yahoo Sports. This sentiment reflects widespread concern among traditionalists about the stability and integrity of the college game.
However, agents like Todd Ramasar, who represents Darlan, view this as a logical evolution. He notes that the financial incentives in the NCAA, coupled with the exposure to NBA scouts at collegiate games and practices, make it a “no-brainer” for many international prospects. The NCAA’s eligibility review for Darlan reportedly focused more on his years removed from high school rather than his G League earnings, acknowledging that his professional income was “a fraction of the compensation top college athletes receive during the NIL era.”
Despite the current wave of G League alumni returning to college, Ramasar doesn’t foresee a “floodgate” opening for new high school seniors to bypass the G League for college. He argues that with NIL now established, elite high school prospects will opt directly for the NCAA, where financial opportunities and exposure are often superior to entry-level G League contracts. Most existing G League players have already forfeited their college eligibility by entering the NBA Draft, limiting the pool of potential transfers.
This unprecedented era marks a significant shift in player pathways. While some coaches lament the blurring lines, it undeniably offers more options for athletes seeking both development and financial gain before reaching the ultimate goal of the NBA. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, the intersection of professional and collegiate basketball promises to remain a dynamic and closely watched aspect of the sport.
