Kentucky showing interest in two-way NBA player

[Joe Tipton]

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers receiving college interest

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers is receiving interest from college programs, including the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, others.

www.on3.com

Under current NCAA rules, a player who has appeared in NBA games, as Trentyn Flowers has, would be considered ineligible to return to college basketball.

That said, the NCAA has shown increased flexibility in recent eligibility rulings. There are dozens of players currently in college who previously competed professionally overseas, and at least four former G League players have already been cleared to return. Earlier this week, Baylor signed the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, though that player did not actually appear in an NBA game.

So while Flowers would currently be viewed as ineligible, the situation highlights how slippery the slope has become. The line between amateur and professional basketball has never been more blurred, and these cases continue to test where the NCAA ultimately draws it.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Risky if true…

 

[LexingtonThoroughblade]

I know why we are doing this but good lord. This sport has lost the plot.

 

[bbnkat02]

Risky if true…

If you're gonna play the game, you have to play the game.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers receiving college interest

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers is receiving interest from college programs, including the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, others.

www.on3.com

I thought players who signed a contract with NBA teams are by rule ineligible for collegiate play. That doesn’t apply to 2-way contracts?

 

[darkshadesofblue]

It seems Kansas is always neck and neck with us on every recruit

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If you're gonna play the game, you have to play the game.

I get that, but I hope Pope has cleared this with the guys on the roster. Could have the effect of throwing a grenade in your own tent.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Oh wow, yall. If this is the right guy, this dude has played NBA games and everything. College is cooked, this is getting too ridiculous.

Trentyn Flowers | Forward | Chicago Bulls | NBA.com

Trentyn Flowers bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

 

[Rainmaker]

Oh wow, yall. If this is the right guy, this dude has played NBA games and everything. College is cooked, this is getting too ridiculous.

Trentyn Flowers | Forward | Chicago Bulls | NBA.com

Trentyn Flowers bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

That’s him. Former Louisville commit who went to Australia before the NBA and went undrafted. Not sure he’d help us any this season. He’s a 6’8 wing and not a ball handler or PG Could see him being a possible piece for next years squad.

 

[FormerlyAnon954350]

Risky if true…

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

That’s him. Former Louisville commit who went to Australia before the NBA and went undrafted. Not sure he’d help us any this season. He’s a 6’8 wing and not a ball handler or PG Could see him being a possible piece for next years squad.

Still though. People were quoting articles saying anyone who signed NBA contract is ineligible, and this dude played actual games and everything. Is there literally NO rules now??

 

[Anon1759768907]

That’s him. Former Louisville commit who went to Australia before the NBA and went undrafted. Not sure he’d help us any this season. He’s a 6’8 wing and not a ball handler or PG Could see him being a possible piece for next years squad.

i hope you realize hed instantly be one of if not our best player

 

[NociHTTP]

If you're gonna play the game, you have to play the game.

Even if it goes against all that you stand for? If I were a coach with any pull at all, I'd be trying to get away from this and start a whole new league of "student athletes", get back to playing for scholarships.

 

[Joe Tipton]

I thought players who signed a contract with NBA teams are by rule ineligible for collegiate play. That doesn’t apply to 2-way contracts?

thats correct. we have been told those who have played in NBA regular season games, like Flowers, are not eligible for college. but we also saw Baylor sign a player who has drafted 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft earlier this week. we also thought G league players would never be able to play college ball and we have dozens of players in college right now that played professionally overseas. all im saying is, anything can happen haha

 

[FormerlyAnon954350]

thats correct. we have been told those who have played in NBA regular season games, like Flowers, are not eligible for college. but we also saw Baylor sign a player who has drafted 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft earlier this week. we also thought G league players would never be able to play college ball and we have dozens of players in college right now that played professionally overseas. all im saying is, anything can happen haha

 

[Joe Tipton]

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers receiving college interest

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers is receiving interest from college programs, including the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, others.

www.on3.com

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

legislation is needed

 

[Eastkybball]

That’s him. Former Louisville commit who went to Australia before the NBA and went undrafted. Not sure he’d help us any this season. He’s a 6’8 wing and not a ball handler or PG Could see him being a possible piece for next years squad.

He sure looks like he can handle the ball. Good lord could he come in and play 2nd semester?

 

[bbnkat02]

Even if it goes against all that you stand for? If I were a coach with any pull at all, I'd be trying to get away from this and start a whole new league of "student athletes", get back to playing for scholarships.

lol Good luck with that.

I don't like it either, but the genie is out and he's not going back in.

 

[FormerlyAnon954350]

lol Good luck with that.

I don't like it either, but the genie is out and he's not going back in.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

lol Good luck with that.

I don't like it either, but the genie is out and he's not going back in.

Yep, it sucks but if there’s no rules we gotta adapt to the chaos.

 

[true-blue1]

I hope this isn't true.

 

[ukfan042]

Gonna be even more embarrassing if/when Pope starts whiffing on these guys!

 

[akaukswoosh]

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers receiving college interest

Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers is receiving interest from college programs, including the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, others.

www.on3.com

Under current NCAA rules, a player who has appeared in NBA games, as Trentyn Flowers has, would be considered ineligible to return to college basketball.

That said, the NCAA has shown increased flexibility in recent eligibility rulings. There are dozens of players currently in college who previously competed professionally overseas, and at least four former G League players have already been cleared to return. Earlier this week, Baylor signed the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, though that player did not actually appear in an NBA game.

So while Flowers would currently be viewed as ineligible, the situation highlights how slippery the slope has become. The line between amateur and professional basketball has never been more blurred, and these cases continue to test where the NCAA ultimately draws it.

 

[NociHTTP]

lol Good luck with that.

I don't like it either, but the genie is out and he's not going back in.

Obviously what I say doesn't have any effect on this. They're killing the sport, and where are the supporters of this garbage going to get their fix? I don't want to hear a damn word from anyone who supported this.

 

[bbnkat02]

Obviously what I say doesn't have any effect on this. They're killing the sport, and where are the supporters of this garbage going to get their fix? I don't want to hear a damn word from anyone who supported this.

NCAA started all this when they wouldn't let athletes make a pretty small sum on their merch and autographs. NIL is the law.

Blame solely rests with the NCAA- no one else.

 

[Supafuzz75]

That’s him. Former Louisville commit who went to Australia before the NBA and went undrafted. Not sure he’d help us any this season. He’s a 6’8 wing and not a ball handler or PG Could see him being a possible piece for next years squad.

No he's 100% a pure pg.. At least he thinks it.. He chose Australia because they told him he was their pg1 and that was his ultimate goal to be one..

 

[Supafuzz75]

Baylor guy was drafted 31st but never played a single nba game.. Stayed in gLeague the whole time..

 

[BlueSince92]

I feel like this is one of those cases where every school but Kentucky would have a chance getting this approved. For Duke it would be done yesterday no questions asked.

But for us...... don't hold your breath.

 

[UKCowboys]

I am actually all for college kids getting paid. The amount of money the schools make off sports justifies it IMO. But letting kids play who have already played in 8 games? That is ridiculous and something I would hate to see

 

[bbnkat02]

I am actually all for college kids getting paid. The amount of money the schools make off sports justifies it IMO. But letting kids play who have already played in 8 games? That is ridiculous and something I would hate to see

I concur. G-League is stretching it a bit imo, but once a guy plays a SINGLE minute in the real league, he should be forbidden from coming back.

 

[KentuckyMildCats]

Is it for this season because like I don't want a mid season ?SMALL FORWARD?

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

I am actually all for college kids getting paid. The amount of money the schools make off sports justifies it IMO. But letting kids play who have already played in 8 games? That is ridiculous and something I would hate to see

It’s a perversion of college basketball. We would make fun of any opposing team that pulled this sh*t. This should be a last resort

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

lol Good luck with that.

I don't like it either, but the genie is out and he's not going back in.

He absolutely is at some point in the next few years. It ain’t gonna be the Wild West forever

 

[RunninRichie]

This is what the grievance lobby wanted so damn bad.

 

[Beatle Bum]

LOL

First, there are no “amateurs” playing college basketball at most any level. That word is no longer applicable.

Second, fans parsing the subject distinguishing between whether the professional played in the NBA or not are fans looking for any distinction. Whether the player was a g-leaguer, European pro, NBAer, etc. is a distinction without a difference for purposes of determining eligibility. The box is open and closing it again or creating arbitrary distinctions will probably result in lawsuits.

As to federal legislation on these matters, I really hope our politicians focus on federal needs and not college sports. College sports has professional athletes. That is the new normal. Saying this professional is eligible and that professional is not is really going to be difficult, arbitrary, and senseless.

Whether they played college ball will likely be the question. If not, they probably make the team, if good enough and the team can afford them.

 

[Bereacat]

If you're gonna play the game, you have to play the game.

IF, a big IF, UK tried to sign him, he wouldn’t be eligible and the rest of the year, every other post on here would be about how UK is getting screwed by the NCAA again. This would be a stupid move and would hurt UK more than help them.

 

[NociHTTP]

NCAA started all this when they wouldn't let athletes make a pretty small sum on their merch and autographs. NIL is the law.

Blame solely rests with the NCAA- no one else.

Not quite accurate. It all started when a certain player didn't like that he was portrayed in a video game. People who are okay with NIL are a part of the problem. If fans boycotted games this would get resolved real fast.

 

[Beatle Bum]

If fans boycotted games this would get resolved real fast.

Intriguing. Describe how you envision that ending?

 

[Smeegs]

I think this may be the next challenge the NCAA loses in court. Because there’s just no logically coherent argument to justify allowing the pros who’ve played in the overseas pro leagues but not the NBA.

The original justification for these restrictions was to maintain amateurism. But that’s now TOTALLY obsolete. Everybody recruits pros now. So why discriminate against just one pro league but not the others in terms of where those recruits can come from?