- The Field of 68 Daily
- Posts
- Eligibility chaos coming?
Eligibility chaos coming?
NCAA considering a new blanket 5-year eligibility rule that could upend current roster planning. May could be wild. Plus: Texas Tech has another backcourt scorer, more portal moves, NBA Draft decisions, and much more.
Tristan Freeman
April 24, 2026
Good morning! It’s Friday, it’s almost May and you’ve got NBA and NHL playoffs to watch, and NFL draft coverage to consume.
Life’s good. But don’t forget about that college hoops news.
In partnership with
Whether you are stepping into a new leadership position, shifting to a new campus, or transitioning into your next chapter after a storied career, the "next move" is often the most grueling part of the journey.
Many staff members find themselves expected to "DIY" their life reset because "that’s how it’s always been done." At D1.relocation, we know there’s a better way.
CLICK HERE to read more about how we protect your time and your family’s peace of mind
1. NCAA may move to 5-year eligibility window soon
If you think the transfer portal creates confusion for college basketball, just wait. The NCAA might throw an even bigger chaos agent into the mix.
Like next month.
Granting athletes five years of eligibility instead of four (with waivers for more, depending on injuries on other circumstances) isn’t a new concept. It’s been discussed the last few years as the NCAA’s gone through challenges including the free COVID year, an extra season for JUCO athletes, and more.
And there’s real momentum to granting this.
The challenge is when. If all athletes were granted an extra year right away, that would give hundreds of 2026 seniors an extra season, and any programs seeking a roster boost would have immediate options. From Ross Dellenger:
Imagine if you are a fourth-year senior who, right now, figured you had no additional eligibility. You were graduating and moving on. Or heading to the NBA. Or heading to the European pro leagues.
But, wait, can I now return to school next year if this concept is adopted?
Considering compensation rates at the top end of college basketball, it may be worth returning to school. After all, in major college basketball, great players are asking for upwards of $3 million in salary and good players are at least at seven figures.
“I’ve seen a Group of 6 transfer who averages 10 points a game wanting $2 million,” said one athletic administrator.
Most estimate that the men’s basketball transfer market is at least 30% higher than it was last year, with most of the top 50 programs above or near the $10 million roster mark (How do schools plan on getting approval for these over-the-cap deals through NIL Go? Well, that’s a story for another day).
There’s already some level of paralysis in the portal, with teams starting to save money, in case dozens of players who currently have zero eligibility suddenly become able to play in the 2026-27 season. Craig Robinson of the NABC wants coaches included in these meetings.
“The NABC shares the NCAA’s urgency to stabilize college sports eligibility, and coaches have expressed general support for an age-based model during initial discussions with NCAA leaders. However, this rapid shift requires diligent implementation – especially given the active recruiting and transfer cycles. Coach perspective is vital to any legislative reform – on matters of eligibility that immediately impact roster management, the NABC views collaboration and communication with coaches as non-negotiable. As the NCAA expedites this review, the NABC urges that all stakeholders be brought to the table – coaches included – to identify potential unintended consequences and to ensure these generational changes are structured correctly."
Others, such as Murray State coach Ryan Miller, want clarification for the recruiting cycle. St. John’s coach Rick Pitino noted the difficulty in implementing the new rule, as his team’s resources have already been spent.
It would make more sense for this to be implemented after the 2026-27 so there’s a clear delineation and programs can plan accordingly. But we’ll see if that happens.
2. Texas Tech adds another elite scorer + more portal moves
This move emerged late Wednesday night and was included in yesterday’s Daily, but it deserves a bit more context.
