The NCAA Division I Cabinet is set to consider new eligibility rules this month that would ban athletes who remain in professional sports drafts from competing in collegiate athletics following two high-profile basketball controversies.
The Academics and Eligibility Committee formally proposed the amendments on Wednesday, with definitive cabinet action expected within weeks.
If approved, these stringent regulations will come into effect for new prospects entering the university system this autumn.
Addressing high-profile draft loopholes
The regulatory shift directly follows controversial situations involving former Alabama forward Charles Bediako and Baylor freshman James Nnaji.
Both athletes competed in the collegiate ranks this season despite previously entering the 2023 NBA draft.
Bediako spent three years in the NBA’s developmental G League before filing a lawsuit against the governing body when they initially denied his return to university competition.
A temporary restraining order briefly allowed the Canadian to play five games before the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a subsequent ruling to reinstate his suspension.
Nnaji, originally selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round, secured eligibility at Baylor because the Nigerian prospect had never signed an official professional contract or played in the minor leagues.
Modernising collegiate regulations
The new proposal mandates that prospects must formally withdraw from opt-in professional drafts to align pre-enrolment rules with post-enrolment standards.
“These proposed changes reflect ongoing work by Division I members to modernize our rules to align with the current era of college sports.”
Josh Whitman, chair of the Division I Cabinet
“As Division I members proceed with reviewing all eligibility rules in the months ahead, our focus will be establishing rules that have objective criteria that can be consistently applied for both prospects and current student-athletes.”
Men’s ice hockey and baseball programmes will remain unaffected by the withdrawal mandate because their respective professional drafts do not require athletes to opt in.
Agent and prize money reforms
The committee has also recommended allowing prospective student-athletes to sign with professional agents prior to university enrolment.
Under existing frameworks, high school prospects are strictly limited to signing agency agreements exclusively for name, image and likeness purposes.
Finally, officials proposed allowing athletes to accept prize money in their respective sports without jeopardising their amateur status.
This financial reform would remove previous collegiate caps that limited earnings strictly to actual and necessary expenses.
WNBA superstars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have confirmed they will re-sign with the New York Liberty in the upcoming free agency period.
Stewart announced her decision to remain in New York during a recent episode of her own podcast.
The two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player insisted she will not take meetings with rival teams despite being an unrestricted free agent.
“I’m going to be back in New York and that’s all there is to it,” she stated.
Ionescu commits to Liberty core
Ionescu revealed her own intention to stay during a USA Basketball training camp on Wednesday.
The 2020 number one overall draft pick expressed her excitement to finalise a new deal quickly ahead of the upcoming season.
“Obviously I’m where I’m supposed to be,” the four-time All-Star told reporters.
She believes the franchise is in a strong position to challenge for titles under newly appointed head coach Chris DeMarco.
“We have our core coming back and continuing to add new pieces is going to be really exciting,” she added.
Navigating a new financial landscape
Stewart recently completed her third campaign on the East Coast after beginning her decorated career with the Seattle Storm.
The prominent forward bravely played through a sprained MCL during the recent WNBA playoffs.
She has since recovered to win the inaugural Unrivaled 3-on-3 league title alongside business partner Napheesa Collier.
Both Stewart and Ionescu are expected to benefit from massive salary increases included in the newly agreed WNBA collective bargaining agreement.
New York executives must now look to secure other key free agents, including 2023 arrival Jonquel Jones and veteran guard Natasha Cloud.
The National Basketball Association has received multiple billion-dollar bids to establish franchises in its proposed European league ahead of a potential 2027 launch.
Initial plans for the trans-Atlantic expansion target between 10 and 12 permanent franchises to compete on an annual basis.
Sources understand several offers exceed the $1bn (£750m) threshold, with multiple other proposals ranging from $500m to $1bn.
New teams and existing giants
The prospective continental competition is expected to feature a mix of newly created entities alongside established basketball and football clubs.
More than a dozen existing outfits have reportedly held discussions regarding the venture.
That contingent includes participants from the EuroLeague, the continent’s current premier tournament which has been managed by Euroleague Basketball since 2000.
Mark Tatum, the North American organisation’s deputy commissioner, confirmed the influx of lucrative proposals.
“The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball.”
British interest and continental friction
Organisers are currently working towards launching the ambitious project as early as the 2027-28 campaign.
The final lineup could ultimately expand to 16 teams, with strong expectations that both London and Manchester will secure coveted spots.
However, the prospect of a breakaway tournament has sparked significant concern among current European administrators.
Previous reports suggest EuroLeague officials could threaten legal action if affiliated clubs break existing contractual agreements to join the rival setup.
BBC Sport has approached the continent’s current governing competition for comment on the unfolding situation.
Meanwhile, executives stateside will now begin evaluating the formal applications to determine the strongest candidates.
“We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent.”
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been named the top starting player ahead of the men’s college basketball Final Four in Indianapolis.
The 20 projected starters for Arizona, Michigan, UConn and Illinois feature a balanced mix of seasoned veterans, former transfers and promising freshmen.
Only six first-year players make the starting line-ups across the four semi-finalists, with half of those representing the Wildcats.
Lendeborg leads the pack
The first-team All-American has been a dominant force for the Wolverines during the NCAA tournament, earning Most Outstanding Player honours in the Midwest Region.
The former UAB standout averaged 25 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over his past three tournament appearances.
His versatility has created match-up nightmares for opponents, transitioning seamlessly from a traditional centre role to a dynamic small forward.
Wagler and Reed shine under pressure
Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler claimed the second spot after a string of spectacular performances helped secure his team’s first Final Four appearance in 21 years.
The 6-foot-5 guard previously stepped up with a massive 46-point display against Purdue when team-mate Kylan Boswell suffered a hand injury.
UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr completes the top three following a historically dominant run in the Big Dance.
The Huskies centre became just the third player since 1960 to record at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in an NCAA tournament game during their opener against Furman.
He also single-handedly kept his team alive during a dramatic Elite Eight comeback against Duke, contributing 26 points.
Road to the championship
The semi-final stage will see Arizona clash with Michigan, while Illinois face defending national champions UConn.
Half of the 20 starting players taking to the court in Indianapolis are already projected as lottery picks in the upcoming NBA draft.
UConn, South Carolina, Texas and UCLA will contest the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Phoenix after all four top seeds dominated their respective regions.
For only the second time in tournament history, the semi-final line-up is an exact repeat of the previous year’s climax.
This also marks just the fifth occasion where all four number one seeds have successfully navigated the bracket to reach the season’s final weekend.
The dominant quartet boast a staggering combined record of 143 wins and just seven defeats throughout the campaign.
Huskies chase historic perfection
Defending champions Connecticut are pursuing their 13th overall national title and a seventh perfect season in the program’s storied history.
The undefeated side will face the Gamecocks on Friday evening in a highly anticipated semi-final clash.
The Northeast powerhouse currently lead the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, points allowed per game and steals.
Sophomore standout Sarah Strong is widely tipped for national player of the year honours following her exceptional two-way performances.
Unprecedented dominance margins
Cinderella stories failed to materialise this March as the established programmes ruthlessly dispatched their lower-ranked opposition.
The final four teams won their Elite Eight fixtures by a record-breaking average margin of 23 points.
Furthermore, each of the top seeds maintained a minimum average victory margin of 12 points throughout the entire NCAA tournament.
The formidable reigning champions recently restricted both North Carolina and Notre Dame to just 42 and 52 points respectively to escape the Fort Worth Regional.
Luka Doncic broke Kobe Bryant’s 20-year franchise record for the most points scored in a calendar month as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113.
The Slovenian superstar poured in 42 points upon returning from a one-game suspension to reach a staggering 579 points for March.
That impressive tally eclipsed the previous benchmark of 578 set by the late Hall of Famer back in 2006.
“If you don’t win, it doesn’t really mean anything. So the run that we’ve been on, it really means a lot. We’ve got to keep playing like that.”
James sets all-time wins milestone
While the prolific guard captured the headlines, his legendary team-mate also etched his name into the history books.
LeBron James contributed 14 points during the victory to secure his 1,229th career win across regular season and post-season fixtures.
The four-time NBA champion surpassed legendary centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined victories in league history.
“He’s great on both sides of the ball, he’s just doing a little bit of everything at a super-high level for us.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the veteran forward for his consistent leadership, noting his crucial role in empowering the entire roster.
Post-season position secured
The commanding result capped a phenomenal stretch for the California franchise, marking their 15th victory in 17 outings.
Prior to tip-off against Cleveland, the squad had already clinched a guaranteed post-season berth and the Pacific Division title.
Their qualification was mathematically confirmed when the Phoenix Suns suffered a narrow 115-111 defeat against the Orlando Magic.
The historic night further solidified an incredible month for the 25-year-old playmaker, who recently became the first player since Bryant to drop 60 points in a single game for the franchise.
Sitting third in the highly competitive Western Conference, the revitalised roster now looks primed for a deep championship run.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has completed a $4.25bn (£3.21bn) takeover of the Portland Trail Blazers from the estate of late billionaire Paul Allen.
The landmark agreement ensures the Western Conference franchise will remain permanently rooted in Oregon.
Dundon, who already owns the National Hockey League’s Carolina outfit, will immediately assume the critical role of team governor.
All proceeds from this lucrative sale are strictly destined for philanthropic causes established by Allen prior to his death in 2018.
New era follows turbulent season
The Microsoft co-founder originally purchased the basketball team for $70m (£52.9m) in 1988 from original franchise founder Larry Weinberg.
Under Allen’s lengthy stewardship, the organisation became a staple of the Pacific Northwest sporting landscape alongside his NFL property, the Seattle Seahawks.
The incoming ownership group now inherits a roster navigating significant off-court turmoil and a transitional period on the hardwood.
“Today is the beginning of a new chapter for the Portland Trail Blazers, as we build on the legacy of this storied franchise.” Tom Dundon
“On behalf of our ownership group, my commitment to this tremendous fan base is that we are going to be relentless towards building a team that can compete at the highest level, every single season.”
Billups suspension casts shadow
The 1977 NBA champions have endured a highly challenging campaign severely overshadowed by legal allegations involving their coaching staff.
Head coach Chauncey Billups currently remains suspended indefinitely following an FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged, mafia-linked poker games.
Interim coach Tiago Splitter has since taken the tactical reins during this period of unprecedented organisational disruption.
Despite the persistent off-court chaos, the resilient squad has successfully secured a berth in the post-season play-in tournament, which commences on 14 April.
Former WNBA Most Valuable Players Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne, alongside NBA stalwarts Doc Rivers and Amar’e Stoudemire, will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The formal enshrinement ceremonies are scheduled to take place this August in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Both women’s basketball icons are entering the prestigious institution following glittering careers that redefined the modern professional game.
Unprecedented success across franchises
Parker remains the only player in WNBA history to secure championships with three different organisations.
The versatile forward captured titles with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces during a remarkable career.
She also holds the unique distinction of winning both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season after taking the league by storm in 2008.
The former Tennessee collegiate star’s dominance extended globally, earning two Olympic gold medals for the United States alongside her domestic triumphs.
A revolutionary shooting talent
Delle Donne joins her fellow two-time league MVP in Springfield after cementing her legacy as one of the most efficient scorers in basketball history.
The standout shooter became the first WNBA player to join the elite 50-40-90 club, finishing a season shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.
She famously led the Washington Mystics to their maiden WNBA championship in 2019.
Coaching and hardwood legends honoured
Current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Rivers also receives the ultimate basketball accolade in recognition of his extensive sideline career.
The veteran tactician ranks eighth on the all-time NBA coaching wins list with nearly 1,200 victories.
His crowning achievement came in 2008 when he guided the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, before later orchestrating the famous ‘Lob City’ era with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Meanwhile, Stoudemire earns his place among the greats following a spectacular 14-year playing career.
The explosive power forward made an immediate impact upon entering the NBA directly from high school, claiming the 2003 Rookie of the Year award.
He enjoyed his most iconic spell with the Phoenix Suns, forming a devastating pick-and-roll partnership with legendary point guard Steve Nash before concluding his career with stints in New York, Dallas and Miami.