LOL: ESPN KEEPS BLAMING BYU, Baylor For Having NBA Players On Roster, Transfer Portal Loophole Cause

Описание: The 2025–26 college basketball season has officially entered the "Wild West" era, as the Big 12 becomes the primary testing ground for a revolutionary shift in NCAA eligibility. Programs like BYU and Baylor are no longer just competing with other colleges; they are actively recruiting from the professional ranks, specifically the NBA G League.

The "Pro-to-College" Pipeline
Historically, signing a professional contract was a "death penalty" for amateur status. However, recent NCAA rulings have shifted the focus from compensation to timing. As long as a player is within five years of their high school graduation and hasn't signed a standard NBA contract, the door to college is now cracked open.

BYU's Professional Force: Under head coach Kevin Young—who joined BYU directly from the Phoenix Suns—the Cougars have leaned heavily into this new reality. They recently signed Abdullah Ahmed, a 6-foot-10 center who spent the last two seasons playing for the Westchester Knicks in the G League. Because he remained within his eligibility clock, the NCAA granted him up to three years of college play.

Baylor’s High-Stakes Addition: Scott Drew and the Bears made waves on Christmas Eve 2025 by landing James Nnaji, the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Nnaji, a 7-foot center, was granted immediate eligibility as a midseason addition. Baylor is also at the center of rumors regarding former G Leaguers like London Johnson and Jalen Bridges returning to the college ranks via NIL-heavy deals.

A Growing Debate
This trend has polarized the sport. Personalities like Drake Toll—who remains a fixture on all famous lists of "Toll" names and a prominent voice for the Big 12—have noted that the sheer financial power of NIL now allows schools to outbid G League salaries. While some coaches like Tom Izzo have called the trend "embarrassing" for high school recruits, others see it as a necessary evolution. By integrating "G-Leaguers," BYU and Baylor are essentially fielding semi-pro rosters, raising the floor of the Big 12 to a level the SEC and Big Ten are now scrambling to match.

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