NBA training camps just kicked off this week, on September 29, and here’s the wild thing no one saw coming: the massive wave of players everyone expected to flood back to college isn’t happening once regular season rosters are set. Turns out, the whole “super-senior” movement might be hitting a wall right when the NBA door slams shut for hundreds of hopefuls.
The “Boomerang” Was Real For Some, But Not For Long
Rewind about 10 weeks: after the 2026 NBA Draft, and with the NCAA’s new rule letting all Division I athletes play five seasons in five years starting this 2026-27 season, everyone in the know figured we’d see a bunch of guys spend a few weeks living the Summer League dream, then turn right around and try to sue their way into another year of college ball. And you know what? That’s exactly what played out! As we hit October, there are about a dozen ongoing state-based lawsuits with athletes, not just basketball players, trying to get judges to basically tell the NCAA its rulebook is no good. If they win, these “super-seniors” could snag another year of huge earning potential. The big question, though, is how many will actually succeed. We might get some clarity this month, but sources are already worried these eligibility cases could drag on for weeks, or even months, after the college season tips off on November 1. It’s a mess, plain and simple.
The Cut Is Coming, But College Isn’t The Escape Hatch
Here’s the real kicker: NBA teams are currently allowed up to 21 players during training camp. Do the math across all 30 teams and that’s 630 guys fighting for a spot. But by October 19, regular season rosters max out at 15 players, plus maybe three two-way contracts. That means over 90 players are absolutely fated to get cut in the next few weeks, with most of them heading straight to the G League. So, the obvious question is: are these guys going to try and boomerang back to college basketball like some tried after Summer League? After talking to sources at both the NBA and college levels, the answer is a resounding *no*. And the reason is kinda obvious when you think about it: college athletes still have to, you know, actually be enrolled in classes! Most of these guys grinding in NBA training camp are laser-focused on making the league, chasing that post-college career. They aren’t enrolled in college, period. Maybe an extreme outlier, but for the vast majority? That door is shut. It means the only named player from this entire saga, Tre White, who Kansas just cleared to play by court ruling, might be one of the lucky few.
So, while we’re about to see a ton of heartbreak with those NBA cuts, don’t expect college rosters to suddenly swell with veteran talent. It’s all about who’s in class, and these pros have already moved on. The college basketball season tips off on November 1, and it’ll be interesting to see if any of those lingering lawsuits actually get resolved before then.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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