College basketball has long had two primary pipelines for talent: high school recruits and the transfer portal. But now, there’s a growing third lane - one that’s starting to blur the line between college and professional hoops in a way we haven’t quite seen before.
Enter Trentyn Flowers.
Yes, that Trentyn Flowers - the 6-foot-8 forward who once headlined the 2023 high school class as a five-star recruit and has already logged minutes in the NBA. According to reports, roughly a dozen college programs are now expressing interest in bringing Flowers back to the NCAA ranks, with Michigan among the schools doing their homework.
Let’s unpack how we got here.
After high school, Flowers took the pro route early, signing with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League. He went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft but landed a two-way deal with the San Diego Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. In 40 G League games, he put up solid numbers - 17.7 points, 5.0 boards, and 2.0 assists per game - showing flashes of the versatility that made him a top-tier prospect in the first place.
Then came another twist. Flowers was waived by the Clippers on October 14, 2025, only to sign a new two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls three days later. He’s since logged two appearances in the NBA - one minute against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, and four minutes (with four points and a rebound) against the Golden State Warriors on December 7.
That’s where things get complicated.
Under traditional NCAA rules, once a player has appeared in an NBA game, their college eligibility is essentially off the table. But in today’s college basketball landscape, the rulebook is starting to show some flexibility.
There are already examples of former pros returning to the college game - including players who’ve competed overseas or in the G League. One notable case is James Nnaji, a former NBA second-round pick who never played in an NBA game but was cleared to play at Baylor.
Flowers’ situation is different - he’s actually played in NBA games. That could be the sticking point. The NCAA has shown a willingness to adapt, but this would be uncharted territory: allowing a player with regular-season NBA minutes to return to the college hardwood.
Still, that hasn’t stopped programs from lining up. Along with Michigan, schools like Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana, Florida, BYU, Texas Tech, USC, LSU, Washington, SMU and Clemson are reportedly interested.
And why wouldn’t they be? Flowers brings size, athleticism, and pro-level experience - the kind of upside that could immediately impact a college program mid-season.
For coaches like Michigan’s Dusty May, the potential of adding a player like Flowers is tantalizing. He’s not just a plug-and-play addition - he’s a potential game-changer. But it all hinges on how the NCAA chooses to interpret its eligibility rules in this evolving era of college athletics.
This situation is more than just a one-off. It’s emblematic of a larger shift in the sport.
The boundary between amateur and professional basketball is becoming increasingly fluid. And as more players explore alternative paths - from overseas leagues to the G League to now potentially back to college - the NCAA is being forced to adapt on the fly.
Whether Flowers is ultimately cleared to suit up for a college team remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: the recruitment of an active NBA player by major college programs marks a new chapter in the changing face of college basketball. And the ripple effects could be felt for years to come.