The NCAA’s 2026 resolution should be clear, but will they actually address the issue?

The world of college athletics seems to change rapidly by the day.

While there have always been issues pertaining to college athletics, we've reached a point where everything is simply out of control. This became even more evident this week when Baylor secured a commitment from a player who will join the program for the second half of the season.

Oh, did we mention that this player was selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?

Make it make sense

Sure, James Nnaji never played in an actual NBA game, that's where the loophole comes into play. The crazy thing to consider is this: Nnaji's draft rights were included in the blockbuster deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks!

Now, the Knicks, who still own his NBA Draft rights, will rent him to Baylor for the rest of the 2025-2026 season (at least).

Eligible or not eligible?

Following the Nnaji news, rumors began to surface about guys who have competed at the NBA level who were drawing interest from college programs. One name of note (which appears to have been a rumor based on On3 backing off its original report) was Trentyn Flowers, who has competed in eight NBA games throughout his early career.

Flowers is just an example of how messy it could be if programs across the country try to lure guys on current two-way contracts back to the collegiate level.

An example UNC basketball fans could relate to would be Harrison Ingram. While it's extremely unlikely, Ingram would ever consider going back to college, but college programs in need of help on the wing could easily try to convince him to join their team (and possibly make more money than he currently is).

Again, not that it will happen, but it's a recent example that coincides with the Flowers speculation.

The NCAA's New Year's Resolution(s)

The NCAA needs to not only adopt two New Year's resolutions for 2026, but actually take them seriously.

No offense to the thousands of people who open up gym memberships at the beginning of the year and don't take the time to go after a week to two weeks, but the NCAA must take drastic action with their resolutions.

First, the NCAA needs to clearly identify what student-athletes are considered "eligible." International prospects have become a touchy subject (just look at the nightmare the UNC basketball program went through with Luka Bogavac), as you never quite know just who will or won't be granted eligibility to play.

The easiest solution, at least for the guys who have been drafted in the NBA, is simple: if you declare for the draft and are selected (regardless of if you suit up for that team or not), your collegiate eligibility is no longer valid.

Now, if you want to take it a step forward, you could explore a potential deal with the NBA that allows players who are selected (or aren't selected) and don't sign to return to their college programs. This could get a little tricky, considering draft rights would come into play, but it would provide a little more flexibility for underclassmen who aim to explore every opportunity possible for them.

The second resolution involves another significant issue in college athletics: the transfer portal.

Back in July, Arkansas head coach John Calipari provided some guidance on how the NCAA can fix this issue. You will want to hear what Calipari had to say on the matter, because he's truly spot on with his assessment:

There is no possible way that a student-athlete who transfers four times (cough, Ven-Allen Lubin) is actually graduating. It's nearly impossible for everything to not only transfer over credit wise, but for that individual to end his college basketball career with a diploma in his hand.

While the transfer portal gives student-athletes an opportunity to find the best fit for them, the number of times they can actually switch schools should be limited.

Calipari's idea of one free transfer opportunity makes a ton of sense. If a student-athlete, who is likely chasing the biggest dollar sign, decides it's in his best interest to transfer again, then that student-athlete must sit out.

This would alleviate a TON of problems the NCAA currently faces.

The NCAA has a big year ahead

The world of NIL has made college athletics a separate professional entity. There's so much uncertainty and disparity when it comes to the current state of rules that are followed, and the NCAA must make clearer standards for all to abide by moving forward.

If they choose not to take action, chaos will continue to ensue across college athletics.