The NCAA’s Division I Cabinet discussed on Friday possible implementation of an age-based eligibility model, should the concept ultimately be formally proposed and approved. The Cabinet also signaled it would consider voting on the age-based eligibility model at its June meeting.
Currently, athletes generally are allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.
The age-based eligibility model would give athletes a window of five years to compete in Division I starting immediately after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first. It also would eliminate waivers for extended eligibility except for pregnancy, religious missions or active-duty military service.
Currently enrolled athletes with eligibility after the 2025-26 academic year will have the flexibility to apply the age-based model or continue previous eligibility rules, whichever is more beneficial to that individual.
Several national commentators with sources inside the NCAA have signaled the new model is expected to pass in June.
So what would this mean for the 12 scholarship players currently on the IU basketball roster?
The Hoosiers were already a program expecting the potential to have most of the roster available for the next two seasons. Now a third season with most of the same group at least becomes feasible, while understanding the transfer portal remains an option for all players.
Let’s go through each of the current 12 IU basketball scholarship players, and how the new 5-year eligibility rule would impact them.
- Markus Burton – Would have two years left. Burton has played three seasons and was expected to obtain a medical hardship waiver to obtain a fifth year of eligibility. But the new rule would ostensibly eliminate the need for that waiver. Because he can choose to operate under the old model, it’s possible a waiver could end up being more favorable if a situation arises that affords Burton the possibility of six or more years in college.
- Bryce Lindsay – Same as Burton.
- Justin Monden – Would have two years left.
- Aiden Sherrell – Would have three years left.
- Jaeden Mustaf – Would have three years left.
- Darren Harris – Would have three years left.
- Samet Yigitoglu – Would have three years left.
- Trent Sisley – Would have four years left.
- Prince-Alexander Moody – Would have five years left
- Vaughn Karvala – Would have five years left.
- Trevor Manhertz – Would have five years left.
- Clemens Sokolov – Would have five years left.
If you were holding out hope a player like former IU big man Sam Alexis could return under this new rule, don’t count on it. Alexis completed his fourth season of college basketball in March, and he does not appear to have a case to obtain a fifth via a waiver.
The NCAA said on Friday athletes whose fourth year of college eligibility was completed by spring 2026 would not be given any more eligibility under the new model. Some commentators believe a wave of lawsuits will follow if this part of the rule passes. So stay tuned.
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