On Tuesday, the NCAA took a much-needed step to get a better handle on the out-of-control, NCAA playing eligibility process.
Under the new stricter rules which will be fully implemented in Fall 2027, players are now granted a max of five years of playing eligibility, which must be completed within five years of graduating high school or from their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. The new ruling has also now eliminated most medical exemptions and redshirt waivers. This new rule is called the “5-in-5” Clock. Once the 5-year clock starts, it does not stop, even if a player signs a professional contract.
How does this new ruling effect Penn State basketball?
Obviously, Penn State will be treated like everyone else in the NCAA, but the Penn State basketball program has shown tremendous interest in recruiting European talent due to their high-level of fundamental teachings, their high basketball IQs and due to their experience of competing against older professionals in (International Basketball Federation) FIBA play. These players have already signed professional contracts with their clubs overseas and when and if they decide to go to college and compete in the United States, a lot of these players are already in their young 20s.
For example, one of their new freshmen for this season, Roko Prkacin, from Croatia, is currently 23 years-old.
Another new player on this year’s roster is Francois Wibaut from France. He is currently a 21 year-old freshman.
Aleksander Zecevic from Serbia comes to Penn State as a 20-year old freshman.
The other European Nittany Lions:
Ivan Juric – Croatia – Sophomore – Age 19.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Robert Blums – Latvia – Junior – Age 20.
Tim Oboh – Great Britain – Junior – Age 20.
Andy Gemao – Philippines – Freshman – Age 19
The NCAA has, however, allowed flexibility for the new and existing European athletes to use either the old NCAA model (four seasons in five years) or the new age-based model (5-in-5). So for example, Penn State will surely put Prkacin on the old model or else this upcoming season would probably be his last.
One side of the coin can argue that these players will more than likely hit the transfer portal after one year in Happy Valley anyway, but the other side of the coin says that Mike Rhoades and his coaching staff may need to shy away from some of the European recruiting if they’re looking to truly “build” a program. They were able, though, to lock up super-talented, Ivan Juric, for his upcoming sophomore season to prevent him from entering the transfer portal.
The old NCAA ruling allowed athletes five years of eligibility to compete over four years. However, the old ruling allowed medical redshirting, sport-specific limitations and waivers. There were many cases that seemed unfair and schools and athletes were taking advantage of the system and playing college sports beyond five years and into their mid to late 20s. Families were even, intentionally, holding back their middle school and high school-aged children to give them an extra playing year of experience and maturity prior to entering college. Pro athletes who didn’t materialize in the pro ranks were attempting to come back to college at a later age.
The loss of a playing season due to COVID-19, athletes now trying to get rich in college from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), the transfer portal and lawsuits were also major contributors to the NCAA needing to get more structure in the playing eligibility process.
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