Kentucky coach Mark Pope suggested the NCAA consider barring teams with players who've held NBA contracts from the NCAA Tournament, calling the current eligibility landscape unsustainable and in need of “sanity.”
The NCAA is navigating a murky period as players who have signed professional contracts seek to return to college basketball. That trend continues this week despite NCAA President Charlie Baker stating recently that players who sign NBA deals are not supposed to be eligible at the college level.
The issue came back into focus when Charles Bediako received a temporary restraining order allowing him to suit up for Alabama. Bediako, who has signed multiple NBA contracts, is among several players attempting to move from the professional ranks back into the NCAA.
"The NCAA does get to decide who goes to the NCAA Tournament."
— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) January 22, 2026
Mark Pope offers a solution to all the eligibility issues in college basketball.#UK #BBN #NCAA pic.twitter.com/IlFF3V6faD
After Kentucky’s 85-80 win over Texas on Wednesday, Pope addressed this issue. He acknowledged the competitive reality driving programs to test the boundaries of eligibility rules.
“We’re the most competitive people in the world,” Pope said. “We’re going to try to find any avenue we can to gain an advantage. It’s what we’re paid to do.”
More: NBA teammate of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama granted return to Alabama men’s basketball
Pope’s proposed solution centers on the power of NCAA tournament selection. He argued that while the NCAA may face challenges enforcing eligibility rules in court, it still controls which games count and which teams receive bids.
“At some point, it’s important that we take a stand and regain some tiny ounce of sanity,” Pope said. “The NCAA Tournament drives all of us.”
Pope added that the stakes are too big. He called the tournament “too extraordinary” to allow continued confusion. “College basketball matters too much,” he said. “It’s time to take a stand and say it publicly.”
Alabama coach Nate Oats said he'll play Bediako this weekend against Tennessee.
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