Rutgers basketball coach mocks NCAA's eligibility rules as debate reignites over NBA-experienced players

Colin Cowherd dives into his history of opinions on John Calipari from both his Kentucky and Arkansas eras, then explains why he is needed in the NCAA Tournament.

The debate over NCAA eligibility for athletes whose background includes NBA experience was reignited after James Nnaji joined the Baylor men’s basketball team.

As the list of athletes who spent time in the NBA’s G League or competed at the international level and are seeking to play college basketball in the U.S. grows, several prominent college basketball coaches have spoken out against the trend. Rutgers men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell is among that group, but, in his critique, he floated an outside-the-box theory.

"Whoever’s out there, you try to pursue. It’s a weird world," Pikiell told reporters when discussing coaches not ruling out the possibility of midseason transfers.

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell reacts at the end of a game against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena Feb. 16, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)

Pikiell’s made the comments shortly after Rutgers defeated Delaware State Monday. He continued his remarks by jokingly adding he wouldn’t mind having a 36-year-old with a family on the Rutgers roster.

"I'd like to get a 36-year-old with four kids and hungry for a job. I'd like to get one of those guys. We'll see if one of those guys is available. But, yeah, you got to pursue any lead that you have on anybody and then got to go through all the steps to try to make it happen. It's very complex."

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