Trentyn Flowers Makes Waves: Former Louisville Commit and NBA Two-Way Player Eyes Return to College Hoops
As Louisville enjoys a well-earned 10-day holiday break, sitting at 10-2 and ranked No. 16 in the country, the basketball world is buzzing over a story that could reshape the boundaries of college eligibility. At the center of it all is a familiar name for Cardinals fans: Trentyn Flowers.
Flowers, a former 5-star recruit who once called Louisville his “dream college,” is reportedly exploring a return to the NCAA ranks-despite having already appeared in NBA games. If successful, he’d become the first player in history to suit up in the NBA and then return to play college basketball.
Let’s unpack how we got here, why this matters, and what it could mean for both Flowers and the college game.
From Louisville Commit to Pro Prospect
Flowers’ path has been anything but conventional. Originally part of the 2024 recruiting class, the 6-foot-8 wing reclassified to 2023 and quickly climbed the rankings.
He was a consensus top-25 prospect, rated as high as No. 23 nationally, No. 4 among small forwards, and the top player out of North Carolina. Louisville secured his commitment after he starred at Combine Academy, and it looked like the Cardinals had landed a foundational piece for their future.
But that future never arrived.
In a stunning turn, Flowers decommitted and signed with the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League in August 2023. He had already arrived on Louisville’s campus in June, gearing up to play for the Cards, only to pivot to the pro route just weeks later. It was a gut punch for Louisville fans, who had high hopes for the dynamic forward.
NBA Stint and a Potential NCAA Return
After a year in the NBL, Flowers entered the 2024 NBA Draft but went undrafted. He caught on with the Clippers via a two-way deal, only to be waived and picked up by the Chicago Bulls on another two-way contract.
So far, he’s appeared in eight NBA games-two of them this month. He scored four points in a recent game against the Warriors and notched a career-high nine points last season versus the Timberwolves. While his NBA minutes have been limited, the fact that he’s seen the floor at all makes his current situation unprecedented.
Now, Flowers is reportedly exploring a return to college basketball. According to On3 Sports’ Joe Tipton, a number of high-major programs have expressed interest, including Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Michigan, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Clemson. That’s a who’s who of college hoops royalty, and it underscores just how highly regarded Flowers still is despite the winding road he’s traveled.
What About Louisville?
While there’s no report that Louisville is actively pursuing Flowers this time around, it’s hard to ignore the history. He once called the program his dream school, and the Cards were the first to land a commitment from a G League player when they signed London Johnson. That move signaled a willingness to embrace non-traditional paths to talent-and Flowers certainly fits that mold.
The NCAA is still sorting out the eligibility rules surrounding two-way NBA players who’ve logged actual game minutes. But if Flowers is cleared, it could open the door for a new kind of college athlete-one who’s already tested the waters at the highest level and is looking to reset or retool in the college game.
The Bigger Picture
This situation is more than just a one-off curiosity. It could be a sign of things to come in an era where the lines between amateur and professional basketball are increasingly blurred. NIL deals, overseas contracts, G League Ignite, and now potential NBA-to-NCAA movement-college basketball is evolving rapidly, and Trentyn Flowers might just be the latest trailblazer.
For now, Louisville continues its strong start to the season and prepares to dive into ACC play. But don’t be surprised if the Flowers storyline continues to hover in the background. Whether or not he suits up in a college jersey again, his journey is already rewriting the playbook.