Program Building: Eligibility = Continuity

[ASFN Admin]

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As everyone expected, the NCAA has implemented the age-based eligibility rules. And, as expected, the NCAA is immediately getting hit with lawsuits challenging the rule. Let’s look at the new rule, and how it affects the Wolfpack men’s basketball team.

“Under the new Division I age-based eligibility rule, student-athletes who meet all eligibility requirements and enter college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday generally will have up to five years of eligibility. While some have referred to this as the NCAA “5 for 5” rule, that is not accurate. The age-based rule actually centers on a student-athlete’s age and when the student enrolls full time in college, and it does not guarantee five years for all student-athletes, particularly those who delay enrollment.”

What starts the eligibility period?

• Enrolls full time and attends class at any college or university, including domestic or international schools and junior colleges.
• Reaches the start of the academic year immediately after the individual’s 19th birthday.
• Competes for a college team, even if the student-athlete is not enrolled full time at that school.

Rules being eliminated:

• Seasons of competition.
• Athletics redshirt rules.
• Delayed enrollment rules.
• Sport-specific enrollment timelines.
• Academic non-qualifier season limitations.

Wavier categories being eliminated include:

• Medical hardship waivers.
• Extension-of-eligibility waivers.
• Season-of-competition waivers.
• Athletics activity waivers.
• Delayed enrollment waivers.

Exceptions Under the New Rule:

• Time spent in active-duty military service, on an official religious mission or in a similar service commitment may be excluded from the five-year period if the student-athlete does not participate in organized competition during that service.
• A pregnant student-athlete may pause the eligibility period for the duration of the actual period during which the individual cannot compete.

So What Does That Mean to NC State Basketball?​

Generally, it means the opportunity for most of the players on the team to play an additional season and the opportunity for Coach Gainey to create some season-to-season continuity. But as is always the case, the application of the rule is not straightforward. So, somehow, finding some kindness in their cold, dead hearts, the NCAA said current players can apply the old ‘five to play four’ rule or the new ‘five to play five’ rule depending on which benefits the player more.

There are six ‘asterisks’ on the team:

1. RJ Keene’s career started way back in 2021 so his five seasons ended last year under the new rule. He took an elective redshirt his freshman season (’21-’22) and took a medical redshirt his second season (’22-’23). The played the last three seasons. The new rule doesn’t work for him, but the old rule allows his redshirts and allows one more season to play his 4 seasons.
2. Kyle Evans started in 2022. He missed 20 games his freshman season due to a left hand injury but played in 35.4% of the games so was ineligible for a medical redshirt. The next season he broke a thumb after 9 games and was able to get a medical redshirt. Under the new rule, this is his fifth allowed season. Under the old rule he has played three seasons and gets one more. Either way, this is his last season.
3. Christian Hammond played his freshman season in 2023. elected to take a redshirt his sophomore season and played last season. The old rule would accommodate the redshirt and allow two more seasons to play 4. The new rule ignores the redshirt and allows two more seasons to play five. Both rules work for him.
4. Eemeli Yalaho played his freshman season in 2023. His sophomore season he played only 8 games due to an ‘upper body injury’ but played his last game Feb 1 – so was unable to qualify for a medical redshirt. He played last season. The old rule says he has played three seasons and gets one more. The new rule allows two more seasons to play five seasons.
5. Shah Hall played his freshman (all seasons JUCO) season in 2023. He transferred his sophomore season but injured his foot and played only one game, qualifying for a medical redshirt. He played last season. The old rule would accommodate the medical redshirt and allow two more seasons to get his four. The new rule allows two more seasons of eligibility to play five total. Both work for him.
6. Zymicah Wilkins elected to sit out last season but practiced and worked out with the team. The old rule allows the redshirt and still gives him four more seasons. The new rule also gives him four more seasons.

International rules are not as transparent.

Robert Jurkovic began his international career in 2023, but he was already 21 years old that season. He played three seasons and has now just turned 24. The NCAA is trying to discourage older international players, so this is most likely his only season. The school has him listed as a senior, and the new model does allow for grads/fifth year players, so the door could still be slightly open for one more. There has been no official announcement.

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