Mark Pope Calls for NCAA Action Amid Growing Eligibility Debate in College Hoops
Following Kentucky’s gritty 85-80 win over Texas, head coach Mark Pope didn’t just walk off the podium after the final question. Instead, he leaned back into the mic and dropped what he called his “two cents” - and it’s a message that’s quickly becoming a rallying cry across college basketball.
Pope, never one to shy away from big-picture issues, addressed the growing controversy surrounding player eligibility - specifically, the NCAA allowing athletes who have already gone through the NBA Draft process to return and play college ball. It's a topic that’s been simmering for weeks, and now it’s boiling over.
At the center of the storm is Baylor’s recent addition of James Nnaji. The Nigerian center was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and even saw action in the NBA Summer League.
Yet, earlier this month, he made his college debut - not as a freshman or transfer, but as a drafted pro now playing NCAA basketball for the first time. That move sparked immediate backlash from high-profile coaches like John Calipari and Tom Izzo, who questioned how a drafted player could be deemed eligible under current NCAA rules.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew has taken heat for adding Nnaji to the roster, but the criticism hasn’t stopped there.
This week, the debate hit another level when news broke that Charles Bediako - the former Alabama center who went undrafted in 2023 - was planning a return to Tuscaloosa. Bediako has spent the last three seasons in the G League, including six appearances this year with the Motor City Cruise.
Now 23 years old and turning 24 in March, Bediako is pursuing reinstatement through legal channels. After Alabama’s initial request to get him cleared was denied, Bediako sued the NCAA - and on Tuesday, a judge granted a temporary restraining order that would allow him to suit up immediately.
While Alabama hasn’t confirmed Bediako’s return to the court, the university did issue a statement Wednesday backing the player’s efforts to regain eligibility while completing his degree. According to reporting from Field of 68, head coach Nate Oats is planning to play Bediako in Saturday’s SEC showdown against Tennessee.
It’s a move that’s sent shockwaves through the college basketball world - and Pope made it clear Wednesday night that he believes it’s time for the NCAA to draw a line.
“I don’t have hard feelings toward anybody making any decision,” Pope said. “Every single college program and coach is going to look for any edge.
That’s what we’re paid to do - compete. But there has to be a point where we protect the integrity of the game.”
Pope didn’t name names, but his message was unmistakable. He floated the idea that the NCAA should consider excluding teams from the NCAA Tournament if they play athletes who have already gone through the draft process.
“The NCAA still gets to decide who plays in the tournament,” Pope said. “They might lose in court, but they still control what games count toward selection.
That’s a lever they can pull. And maybe they should.”
It’s a bold stance, but one that’s resonating with coaches and fans concerned about the shifting landscape of eligibility. Pope emphasized that his comments weren’t about punishing teams - rather, they were about preserving the credibility of the sport.
“At some point, we’ve got to take a stand and bring back a little bit of sanity,” he said. “Until someone tells me different, I still believe the NCAA has the power to decide who gets in and what games count.”
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about Baylor or Alabama. It’s about a broader question facing college basketball - what does amateurism mean in 2026? When a player can go through the draft, play professionally, and then return to the college game, it raises serious concerns about fairness, development pathways, and the future of the sport.
Baylor, for its part, is 11-7 on the season and struggling in Big 12 play with a 1-5 conference record - the same mark they hold in games Nnaji has played. Alabama, meanwhile, is 13-5 and ranked No. 17 in the AP poll, projected as a 5 seed in ESPN’s latest Bracketology. The Crimson Tide already beat Kentucky earlier this season - their only scheduled regular-season meeting - so any rematch would have to come in the SEC Tournament or NCAA postseason.
Pope, who’s known for his player-first approach and deep respect for the game, made it clear he’s not trying to stir controversy for the sake of it. He’s calling for structure - for clarity - in a moment that feels increasingly chaotic.
“Hopefully we’ll take a stand and clean this up for everybody,” he said. “Because right now, everybody is chasing their tails.
This game matters too much. The NCAA Tournament is too extraordinary of a deal.
These high school players, these young players - they matter too much. College basketball matters too much.”
In a sport that’s constantly evolving - with NIL, the transfer portal, and now the return of drafted players - Pope’s comments strike a chord. Whether the NCAA listens remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: the conversation is no longer just behind closed doors. It’s front and center, and the future of college basketball could hinge on how it’s handled.