Coach Irvin Harris shares the radio show with Michael Mason. We talk about Basketball and Prep schools and the business behind the sport. The experiences are commented on by PeeWee Harrison and Peter Mingils. Co-hosts Mel Jones and Greg Budo Carradine will be listening in to catch up on a really significant conversation.
Navigating Eligibility and Money in College Basketball: A New Era
The landscape of college basketball has transformed dramatically by 2025, with eligibility rules and financial opportunities reshaping the sport. Once bound by strict amateurism, student-athletes now navigate a world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, revenue sharing, and evolving NCAA regulations. These changes empower players but introduce complexities, especially for those balancing academics, athletics, and newfound business ventures.
Eligibility remains a cornerstone of NCAA governance. To compete in Division I basketball, student-athletes must meet academic standards, including 16 core high school courses and a minimum GPA, though SAT/ACT requirements were dropped in 2020. Amateurism rules still apply—athletes cannot have received prize money beyond participation costs or signed professional contracts before enrolling. However, the 2020-21 COVID season granted an extra eligibility year, benefiting players like Alabama’s Mark Sears and Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson, who leveraged their fifth year to boost their profiles. Proposals for a universal fifth year of eligibility, allowing partial season participation without burning a redshirt, are under discussion, potentially extending careers and earning potential.
The financial revolution, however, steals the spotlight. Since 2021, NIL rules have allowed athletes to profit from endorsements, sponsorships, and social media. Top players like USC’s JuJu Watkins and Duke’s Cooper Flagg command million-dollar deals, with some estimates suggesting 25–50 players earned $1 million in 2024, a number expected to double in 2025. The transfer portal, open annually, fuels this market, with high-profile transfers like New Mexico’s Donovan Dent securing $3 million deals. Agents now negotiate escalating asking prices, with top transfers demanding more than high school recruits, reflecting their proven collegiate success.
The House v. NCAA settlement, finalized in 2025, introduces revenue sharing, allowing schools to distribute up to $20.5 million annually to athletes, with men’s basketball players among the biggest beneficiaries due to smaller rosters. Power conference players could see five to 60 times more than mid-major peers, highlighting disparities. Tournaments like the College Basketball Crown sweeten the pot, offering a $300,000 NIL package to winners, blending postseason glory with financial incentives.
Yet, challenges loom. The removal of scholarship caps for 2025–26 reclassifies basketball as an equivalency sport, letting coaches split 15 scholarships among players, potentially favoring stars over bench players. Roster limits at 15 spots may squeeze walk-ons, altering team dynamics. For athletes, managing NIL deals alongside academics and training is daunting, with little guidance on long-term financial planning. The “wild west” of NIL, as some coaches call it, risks exploitation without clearer regulations.
College basketball’s new era offers unprecedented opportunities but demands savvy navigation. Players must master eligibility rules to stay on the court and seize financial prospects to build their brands. As the NCAA adapts, the balance between student and athlete grows ever more intricate, defining the sport’s future.
