00:00G-League player Thierry Darlan joins Santa Clara basketball team, blowing up NCAA amateurism rule.
00:08Earlier this week, the Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball announced the addition of 21-year-old guard Thierry Darlan to their roster for the 2025-2026 season.
00:18The 6'8 wing from the Central African Republic is a logical and impressive addition for head coach Herb Sendik's team.
00:24But how Darlan ended up with Santa Clara could reshape the NCAA for years to come.
00:30Prior to joining the Broncos, Darlan spent two years in the NBA G-League, initially with the G-League Ignite, then the Delaware Bluecoats, linked to the Philadelphia 76ers.
00:41Darlan averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 games for the Bluecoats in the 2024-25 season.
00:49Previously, his professional play would have barred college eligibility.
00:53However, Alex Schiffer reports Santa Clara underwent a lengthy legal process to secure Darlan's eligibility.
00:58It was not easy by any means, Broncos associate head coach Jason Ludwig told Schiffer.
01:05It was very difficult, and it was a long, long process that started back in March.
01:10But Darlan isn't the first player to have played professionally before joining a college team.
01:15Last season, Igor Demin helped lead BYU to the Sweet 16, after having played professionally for Real Madrid.
01:22The Brooklyn Nets then selected Demin with the 8th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
01:28There were European prospects being eligible and whatever years they were removed from school, Darlan's agent, Todd Ramassar, told Front Office Sports.
01:36This should be no different from Thierry, even though he got paid a decent salary from Ignite.
01:41So it goes from maybe at best 50-50 when we started in early spring to 90% certain after that ruling.
01:49For now, the ruling on Darlan seems to only apply to foreign-born players.
01:54But that could change in the future, and legendary St. John's coach Rick Pitino is already doing his homework.
01:59So, let me get this straight. We can now recruit G League players, Pitino asked on X.
02:05Is the NBA next? I have first dibs on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
02:09Pitino was likely being tongue-in-cheek.
02:11But given the way things are headed, he may not be far off.
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