NCAA president weighs in on eligibility of NBA players

NCAA President Charlie Baker said Tuesday that no prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract, including a two-way contract, will be granted eligibility to play in the NCAA.

Though Baker's statement did not directly reference current NBA player Trentyn Flowers, the statement is likely in reaction to Sunday's reporting from Joe Tipton of On3 that the former five-star recruit -- currently on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls -- was gaining interest from at least a dozen college basketball programs including Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas and Florida.

After at least three of the schools reportedly denied any contact or interest in Flowers, On3 CEO Shannon Terry apologized for the initial report, posting on social media, "On behalf of On3, I apologize for the poorly produced report on Trentyn Flowers from this morning. The reporting fell below our standards. It was addressed immediately, and we introduced additional training measures with the author so that it will not happen again."

In his statement Tuesday, Baker had strong words regarding recent attempts to bring more international basketball players into the NCAA, citing a desire to ensure the NCAA's eligibility rules are still being properly followed.

"As schools are increasingly recruiting individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion in applying the actual and necessary expenses bylaw to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts. Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear," Baker's statement read.

"While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades -- without even having a trial -- are wildly destabilizing. I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution."

A 6-foot-9 forward viewed as a top-25 recruit out of high school in 2023, Flowers originally committed to Louisville before deciding to play professionally in Australia, where he spent one season with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League.

In July 2024, after doing undrafted, Flowers signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. He largely played in the G League, the NBA's official minor league, while appearing in six games at the NBA level last season, averaging 1.8 points and 0.7 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game.

Flowers, 20, has appeared in two games for the Bulls this season, averaging 2.0 points and 0.5 rebounds in 3.0 minutes per game.

--Field Level Media