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Kansas State women’s basketball star Tess Heal was unable to play in her team’s most recent contest against rival Kansas. Her eligibility is now in question.
Heal signed a contract this month to compete professionally in Australia after wrapping up her senior year. In doing so, she violated NCAA rules.
That violation has created a college basketball controversy. The line of thinking seems to differ from what’s been seen in the men’s game.
Who is Tess Heal?
Heal is one of the sport’s most exciting players. She originally signed with Santa Clara as a prospect out of Australia. There, she was twice named first-team all-conference while averaging 18.6 points per night.
After her sophomore year, she transferred to Stanford, and later to Kansas State for her final season.
With the Wildcats, she’s started 10 matchups while scoring just under 10 points a game. She’s been on an absolute heater of late.
In her last six games, all against conference foes, she’s scored double figures highlighted by a 31-point outburst vs. Houston. Her team is 4-2 across that stretch.
She’d hoped to continue the momentum on Sunday vs. Kansas. The NCAA wouldn’t allow it.
She signed a pro contract.
Tess Heal plans to return to Australia upon finishing her final season in order to play professionally. She signed a deal with the Keilor Thunder last week, a member of the NBL.
The NCAA does not allow student-athletes to sign pro contracts. She violated the terms of her eligibility.
In this case, though, there doesn’t appear much conflict in regard to her playing status. The NBL campaign won’t start until March when her college career is coming to an end. There is no overlap.
On the surface, it appears no different than waiting until after the season to sign a deal with a WNBA organization.
Head coach Jeff Mittie has spoken out on the ruling. He admitted that the timing was a mistake, but he does not believe Heal deserves to be held out of action.
Jeff Mittie gives an update on Tess Heal.
She is out for the time with K-State due to an NCAA violation, likely in part due to signing a pro contract in Australia.#KState pic.twitter.com/FezOHgcbR7
— Kole Emplit (@KoleEmplit) January 25, 2026
For now, she is ineligible. Kansas State awaits a final decision from the NCAA on her future.
All the while, former pros continue gaining eligibility in the men’s game.
College basketball is a mess.
Teal was held out of Sunday’s game for signing a contract that has no impact on his final playing season. A day earlier, Charles Bediako suited up for Alabama.
Bediako played two seasons for the Crimson Tide before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. He was not selected and later signed a two-way deal in the G-League.
His pro career has not gone according to plan. So, he’s attempting a college comeback.
Bediako sued the NCAA after it opposed his initial efforts to return to Alabama. He was granted his wish by a judge with Crimson Tide ties. He scored 13 points off the bench in a loss to Tennessee.
For now, his status is temporary. An injunction is scheduled for January 27. Bediako, however, is not the only former G-Leaguer currently playing at the NCAA level.
London Johnson of Louisville and Thierry Darlan of Santa Clara both got a taste of pro hoops before making their college debuts. James Nnaji of Baylor was a first-round pick in the ’23 Draft but was granted eligibility this season.
All of this goes to spotlight the chaos and confusion that currently exists in college basketball. Eligibility guidelines have been blurred.
Tess Heal was not allowed to play after signing a pro contract despite that venture not beginning until season’s end. Meanwhile, others are securing spots on NCAA rosters following failed pro stints.
Heal hopes to be reinstated before the Wildcats’ next game.