NCAA Basketball Players Won’t Get Extra Year of Eligibility

The NCAA Division I Council ruled that winter sports athletes will not have their eligibility extended, despite having their seasons shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to an NCAA press release.

The decision obviously impacts Division I basketball players, most of whom were preparing for or playing in league tournaments when play was halted. Council members declined to extend eligibility for student-athletes in sports where all or much of their regular seasons were completed.

Seniors now have exhausted their eligibility and won’t have the option of returning to school for another season and a chance to play the NCAA Tournament. The decision shouldn’t have a dramatic impact on the draft with so many potential draft picks being early entrants.

The decision eases the concerns of some college coaches about having an excess of scholarship players due to their commitments with incoming freshmen.

Spring-sport athletes have been granted an additional season of eligibility.

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