Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NCAA was noncommittal when asked about the possibility of players with NBA experience returning to play college basketball amid rumors that multiple schools are pursuing Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers.
Flowers, 20, skipped college basketball to play in Australia during the 2023-24 season before going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and their NBA G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers, later that year, and played in six games for the Clippers over the course of the season.
This year, Flowers is on a two-way deal with Chicago and their affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, and has played in a pair of NBA games.
When Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 asked the NCAA whether Flowers would be eligible to play in college, the college sports governing body wasn’t exactly straightforward with its answer.
I asked the NCAA whether players with NBA experience were eligible to play in college.
This was the statement they provided to @TheFieldOf68. pic.twitter.com/FcPiZ5ifOz
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 29, 2025
The NCAA Refused To Rule Out NBA Players Returning College Basketball
Technically speaking, Flowers never actually played NCAA basketball. However, in their latest statement, the NCAA didn’t rule out the idea of a former college player entering the NBA, G-League, or foreign leagues and then returning back to college basketball.
“Schools are recruiting and seeking eligibility for more individuals with more international, semi-pro and professional experience than ever before. And while the NCAA members have updated many rules following the House injunction, more rules must likely be updated to reflect the choices member schools are making,” the statement began.
But the NCAA also placed blame for the lack of rules on judges across the country who have limited the NCAA’s power to govern.
“At the same time, NCAA eligibility rules have been invalidated by judges across the country, wreaking havoc on the system and leading to fewer opportunities for high school students, which is why the association is asking Congress for to intervene in these challenges.
The Flowers news and respective statement come after Baylor recently announced the midseason addition of center James Nnaji, who was selected No. 31 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, but never played in the NBA.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo spoke out strongly against the move. Additionally, Arkansas coach John Calipari went on a seven-minute-long tirade against the current rules, or lack thereof, in NCAA basketball.
The NCAA does have its hands tied a bit by court rulings. But at some point, the dam is going to break, and it appears we’re getting very close to reach that point.