In the modern era of college basketball, coaches aren’t just building rosters — they’re gambling on NCAA eligibility.
The uncertainty has reshaped how programs across the country approach roster construction, and, according to Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang, has contributed to multiple Wildcats being ruled ineligible by the NCAA.
What we know, what we don’t know
Following K-State’s 59-54 loss at West Virginia, Tang drew attention not just to the team’s performance, but to the eligibility challenges shaping his roster.
“There are three guys that should be on my roster right now that are not on my roster because the rules changed,” Tang said. “That’s not even the guys who are injured.”
Of the three players Tang referenced, two cases are public: starting guard Max Jones, whose eligibility was denied after initially seeking a waiver, and Tyreek Smith, a midseason transfer who petitioned for an extra year and was denied as well. The third player Tang alluded to has not been identified.
Tang’s comments also come in the wake of broader NCAA eligibility trends. Other programs have seen players return after brief professional stints or G League participation.
Baylor center and former member of the Westchester Knicks James Nnaji was cleared to rejoin the Bears after playing in the G League. Alabama guard Charles Bediako, who spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide and was drafted in 2023, was reinstated on a temporary eligibility basis.
Unlike Bediako, Nnaji never played college basketball. He only played internationally before making his way to the NBA.
And they’re not the only two. The inconsistencies of the NCAA’s eligibility rules have left a number of coaches in limbo.
“As the head coach of this program… my job is to put together a team and build a program that can be on that level year in and year out,” Tang said. “I haven’t figured that out yet, because they keep changing the rules on me.”
Roster limitations ‘plaguing’ the Wildcats
In addition to eligibility challenges, injuries have thinned K-State’s roster. Abdi Bashir Jr., Khamari McGriff and Elias Rapieque have missed time, leaving the Wildcats with just 7-8 players for much of conference play. Despite that, the team has remained competitive in several Big 12 matchups, including close losses at Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
“If we can bring G League players in, I want to do it,” Tang said. “Whatever they’re going to allow us to do, I want to do … Let’s all proceed the same way.”