Without new rules prohibiting teams from adding players with professional experience to their rosters, the value of American high school players will rapidly decline, John Calipari said in a postgame speech on the state of the sport Monday night.
In a six-minute Q&A about college basketball, days after Baylor announced the addition of a former NBA draft pick. James Nnaji Addressing his roster, Calipari said the sport's youngest talent would suffer if players who have played professionally – domestically or internationally – are allowed to compete.
“Does anyone care what this means for 17-18 year old American kids? Do you know what this opportunity has done for them and their families? There won’t be any seniors,” Calipari said after Arkansas’ 103-74 win over James Madison. “Who, besides stupid people like me, will recruit schoolchildren? I have so much fun coaching young kids, watching them grow and succeed—and their families and lives—and I plan to continue to do so.
“We have no rules.”
Both Louisville (London Johnson) and Santa Clara (Thierry Darlan) recently signed Their rosters include players with G League experience, but Nnaji — a 7-foot center who played professionally overseas after being selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft — is the first player selected to be cleared to play in the NCAA.
While Scott Drew defended his decision To add Nnaji and say he's “happy” he was allowed to play, UConn's Dan Hurley, Gonzaga's Mark Few and Michigan State's Tom Izzo criticized the rules that allowed this to happen.
“Now we’re taking guys who were drafted into the NBA,” Izzo said. “If this is what we're going to do, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches too. But shame on the NCAA. Because I think the coaches will do what they have to do.”
Calipari outlined those sentiments on Monday. He listed a set of proposed rules that he believes could stabilize the sport, including a four-year eligibility period in a five-year window for each athlete and the elimination of all mid-season additions.
“It's a simple question. We can do this, NCAA,” he said. “Don't tell me about the lawsuits. If you join the program mid-season, you will not be able to play that season.”
Calipari said he would make an exception for students who were academically ineligible in the first semester but were in good standing to participate in the second semester. However, he did not make any exceptions for players entering the NBA draft, stating that all players in such a situation should be banned.
“It's very simple. Rules are rules, so if you put your name in [NBA draft]“I don’t care if you’re from Russia and you stay in the draft, you can’t play college basketball,” Calipari said. “Well, it's only for American children.” What? If your name is in this draft and you are selected, you will not be able to play because that is our rule.”
NCAA President Charlie Baker published a statement on social media Tuesday, addressing the issue of eligibility, saying in part: “The NCAA does not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes signed to an NBA contract (including a two-way contract). As schools increasingly recruit individuals with experience in international leagues, the NCAA has discretion to apply the actual and necessary cost ruling to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not disadvantaged compared to their international counterparts.”
Baker added that he will work with “DI leaders in the coming weeks to protect college basketball” following the “recent harsh decisions” regarding eligibility.
It's unclear what else the NCAA will allow in the near future regarding players with professional experience, as it requires congressional intervention to correct the situation. But Calipari said college basketball stakeholders must act now to preserve its future.
“How about we just get on with it?” – he said. “We can do this without Congress and the Senate getting 60 votes.”
