The system may be broken.
Kentucky Wildcats, Indiana Hoosiers recruiting a guy who has played 8 games in the NBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
We may have lost the plot. The college basketball system may be broken.
Teams are officially recruiting a guy who has played in actual NBA games.
The player: Trentyn Flowers.
And the list of programs recruiting him is long, according to insider Joe Tipton. It includes storied programs like Kentucky and Indiana.
Here's a look, via Tipton's graphic:
Chicago Bulls two-way player Trentyn Flowers is drawing interest from many college programs, a source told @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) December 28, 2025
The 6-foot-8 wing was a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class who initially committed to Louisville before opting for a pro career.
Story: https://t.co/or7wmRissvpic.twitter.com/Yo9sSqe1dL
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There are players already joining the NCAA Division I ranks who have played in the G League.
But so far, none have gone back who have played in the actual NBA.
Flowers would be the first. And if it was a move deemed allowed by the NCAA, he surely wouldn't be the last.
He played six games for the Clippers two seasons ago, and two games for the Bulls last season.
He never played in the NCAA before, which is apparently why he'd be viewed as eligible. But he also earned actual NBA per-game salary for eight games.
This one could get contentious.
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Category: General Sports
