The Changing Landscape of College Basketball: How NIL Rights, the Transfer Portal, COVID-19 Eligibility, and Alternative Pathways Have Altered the Game

By SportsE Media | First published March 2023, last updated March 2026 with new insights on NIL, the Transfer Portal, COVID eligibility, and NBA pathways

TL;DR

• NIL rights have shifted priorities, sometimes favoring money over basketball fit.
• The Transfer Portal increased mobility but destabilized rosters.
• COVID eligibility extended careers, crowding out recruits and raising roster ages.
• Alternative pathways (G League, Overtime Elite, overseas) siphon top talent from college hoops.
• Result: March Madness still delivers drama, but the overall product has diluted compared to past eras.

March Madness remains an exciting time for die-hard college basketball fans and casual observers alike, who eagerly create brackets and engage in friendly debates over which team will emerge victorious. However, the landscape of college basketball has undoubtedly changed in recent years, and for many, the quality of the product on display is not what it once was.

Several factors have contributed to this shift in the college basketball landscape, including the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, the Transfer Portal, the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and alternative pathways for talented players to reach the NBA. As a result, college basketball is not the product it once was. Can we remain optimistic? Are other leagues poised to capitalize on these changes? What does college basketball need to do to positively impact the landscape? We address these questions and more in the following discussion.

2025-26 Update: College Basketball in Flux

Since this article was first published, the college basketball landscape has only grown more complicated:

• House v. NCAA Settlement (June 2025): Schools will soon share approximately $20 million annually with athletes, further blurring the line between amateur and professional. Basketball players, particularly in Power 4 conferences, are poised to benefit disproportionately.
• NIL Clearinghouse Launch (July 2025): Athletes must now report NIL deals over $600, tightening compliance. This could slow shady deals but also create paperwork headaches.
• Portal Chaos Continues: Coaches report “two recruiting seasons” (portal and high school), with some mid-major programs experiencing 50%+ roster turnover year after year.
• Talent Pipeline Split: With Scoot Henderson and the Thompson twins as precedents, more elite players are opting for G League Ignite, Overtime Elite, or Europe. College hoops’ “star power” problem is real.
• Viewership Trends: March Madness remains a draw, but regular-season ratings have stagnated. NBA scouts are spread globally, reducing college basketball’s monopoly on showcasing talent.
• Update (December 2025): The NBA shut down G League Ignite in March 2024. College basketball has since reclaimed its position as the top path to the NBA. Read our full breakdown of the resurgence.

The question now: does college basketball lean into being a developmental league for most, while accepting that the absolute best prospects may never step on a college court?

The Impact of Name, Image, and Likeness on the College Basketball Landscape

NIL: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights have become a hot topic in college sports, as athletes can now monetize their personal brand by signing endorsement deals and engaging in various commercial activities. This development has led to significant changes in college basketball.

The introduction of the NIL bill has sparked a debate over the future of college athletics. While some argue that allowing college athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness could undermine the sport’s amateur nature, others contend that it’s a necessary step to address the NCAA’s exploitation of college athletes. As players and those around them focus on maximizing their NIL potential, it can lead athletes to choose colleges that may not be the best basketball fit but offer the most lucrative monetary opportunities. This shift in priorities has the potential to change the dynamics of college basketball recruitment, as institutions and athletes weigh monetary gains against athletic development.

Furthermore, concerns may arise about team unity when one player earns significantly more from their NIL deals than their teammates. This disparity might create tension within the team and impact their performance on the court. However, proponents of NIL argue that it’s about time players have the opportunity to monetize their talents, as they have been taken advantage of for far too long. In fact, coaches have been capitalizing on their status with shoe deals and endorsement contracts, and they have the freedom to switch jobs whenever they please. It seems only fair that athletes should have the same opportunities to earn money from their hard work and dedication to the sport.

On the positive side, the implementation of NIL rights has the potential to alleviate financial pressure on student-athletes, allowing them to focus more on their education and athletic performance without worrying about making ends meet. This change could contribute to a more balanced college experience for athletes, who have historically been expected to juggle the demands of their sport with the rigors of academia, often without adequate compensation for their efforts.

The long-term effects of NIL on college basketball are currently unknown. As the sport’s landscape continues to evolve, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to strike a balance between athletes’ financial interests and the integrity of the game.

Transfer Portal

The Transfer Portal is a database that enables college athletes to express their intent to transfer to another school, making it easier for them to switch programs without having to sit out for a year. This system has had a considerable impact on the dynamics of college basketball teams.

The Transfer Portal has been a game-changer for college basketball. On the one hand, it has provided players in unfavorable situations with the opportunity to improve their circumstances by switching to a more suitable college program without having to sit out for a year. This has led to increased competitiveness and a more level playing field, as talent becomes more evenly distributed across different schools.

However, the Transfer Portal has also led players to leave their teams for seemingly minor reasons or without a clear plan, resulting in roster instability and hindering the process of building a cohesive team. Some athletes have struggled to find a new school or have ended up playing in lower-level basketball programs, as the Transfer Portal has not always lived up to its promise of providing better opportunities.

Extra Year of Eligibility and COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID Eligibility: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted college sports, leading to the decision to grant an extra year of eligibility to all college athletes. This decision has had lasting effects on college basketball, particularly regarding roster composition and opportunities for incoming recruits.

While this decision was made to accommodate the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, it has led to unforeseen consequences for the sport. The extra year of eligibility has resulted in fewer available spots for incoming recruits, as older players remain on college rosters. This has made it more difficult for high school athletes to secure a place in a college basketball program. Additionally, the presence of older players, some as old as 26, has altered the typical age range in college basketball, which was traditionally between 18 and 21 years old.

The combination of the Transfer Portal and the extra year of eligibility has also contributed to increased roster turnover, making it more challenging for coaches to build a cohesive and consistent team. This lack of continuity can negatively impact team chemistry and hinder the development of a winning culture.

Alternative Pathways to the NBA

Alternative Pathways: In recent years, alternative pathways to the NBA have gained prominence, as young athletes explore options beyond the traditional college route. The G League, Overtime Elite, and international leagues are a few examples of these alternatives, which have contributed to the changing landscape of college basketball.

As college basketball’s appeal wanes, talented young players are exploring alternative pathways to reach the NBA. Three primary options have emerged as popular choices for athletes looking to bypass the traditional college route: The G League, Overtime Elite, and international leagues.

The G League: The NBA’s developmental league has become an increasingly attractive option for top prospects. Players can join G League programs such as the Ignite team, which allows them to develop their skills in a professional environment, receive a salary, and maintain their draft eligibility. Scoot Henderson is one example of a player who chose this route.

Editor’s note: G League Ignite folded after the 2023-24 season, finishing 2-32 in its final year. NIL changed the math—once college players could get paid, Ignite lost its edge.

Overtime Elite: A new basketball league that offers high school-age players an alternative to college basketball. Participants can earn a salary while receiving top-level coaching and training, along with educational support. The Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, are among the young talents who have chosen this path.

International Leagues: Playing professionally overseas has become another viable option for young players looking to hone their skills and attract the attention of NBA scouts. Leagues in countries such as Australia and France have been particularly popular, with notable examples being LaMelo Ball’s stint in Australia and Victor Wembanyama’s time in France.

These alternative pathways offer young athletes more choices and opportunities to achieve their dream of playing in the NBA. However, their growing popularity has also contributed to the decline in the level of talent showcased in college basketball, leaving fans longing for the days when the sport was a breeding ground for future NBA stars.

Yet, as the talent pool spreads thin and the best young basketball players increasingly opt for alternative pathways to the NBA, college basketball has lost some of its appeal to the broader audience. The sport no longer boasts the same level of talent as it did in the past, when legends like Michael Jordan, Akeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson, Christian Laettner, Chris Paul, and Anthony Davis graced the college courts. Now, many top prospects, such as Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, and Ausar Thompson, are choosing to bypass college basketball altogether. With the possibility of the NBA allowing high school players to enter the draft in the future, today’s college stars like Brandon Miller, Cameron Whitmore, Nick Smith, and Jarace Walker may never have become collegiate athletes.

The College Basketball Product

While the college basketball games themselves can still be exciting, many fans and media members feel that the overall quality of the sport has declined. Anecdotal evidence suggests that interest in the sport has waned, with fans expressing disappointment on social media platforms like Twitter. College basketball’s loss of the best young talent has transformed the sport into something that primarily appeals to basketball junkies rather than a wider fan base.

In conclusion, college basketball has undergone significant changes due to the rise of NIL rights, the Transfer Portal, the extra year of eligibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergence of alternative pathways to the NBA. These factors have resulted in a more dispersed talent pool and the loss of top young talent, altering the face of college basketball and diminishing its appeal to a broader audience.

While March Madness continues to captivate die-hard fans with its upsets and unpredictability, the sport’s overall quality has suffered from these changes. NIL rights have sparked debates about the future of college athletics, with concerns about team unity and athletes’ priorities. The Transfer Portal has increased competitiveness but also led to roster instability. The extra year of eligibility has affected opportunities for incoming recruits and the age range of college basketball players. Finally, alternative pathways to the NBA have provided young athletes with more choices, but have also contributed to the decline in talent showcased in college basketball.

As college basketball enters a new era, it remains to be seen whether it can recapture its former glory and appeal to a wider fan base. The leaders of college basketball must strike a balance among the athletes’ financial interests, the integrity of the game, and the desire to maintain a high level of competitiveness, ensuring the sport’s continued success.

If nothing else, the evolving landscape of college basketball and the rise of streaming opportunities provide us all with the ability to watch the basketball stars of tomorrow, no matter where they play. Take Victor Wembanyama, for example. While Wembanyama won’t be cutting down any Final Four nets in April, he will be showcasing his remarkable skills and impressive length on platforms like the NBA App or YouTube for all to see. Ultimately, change is inevitable, and it often gives rise to new and exciting possibilities. Just look at the emergence of ChatGPT-4! Who saw that coming? Embracing these changes can lead to a brighter future for the sport and its fans.

FAQs: College Basketball’s Changing Landscape (2025)

Q: How has NIL most impacted college basketball?

A: NIL shifted recruiting priorities — some athletes now choose schools for endorsement opportunities rather than fit. It’s also created locker room divides in cases where one player earns far more than teammates.

Q: Why is the Transfer Portal controversial?

A: The transfer portal empowers athletes with mobility but creates roster churn. Some mid-major coaches lose half of their roster in a year, making long-term program building difficult.

Q: What was the impact of COVID eligibility?

A: Older players stuck around, raising roster ages into the mid-20s and reducing scholarships for incoming freshmen. High school recruits have faced tougher entry into elite programs.

Q: Are fewer top prospects playing NCAA basketball?

A: Yes. Options like G League Ignite, Overtime Elite, and international leagues (e.g., Australia’s NBL) lure away stars who previously would have headlined March Madness.

Q: How will the House v. NCAA settlement change things?

A: Starting in 2025–26, schools can share ~$20M annually with athletes. For men’s basketball, this could mean more direct pay on top of NIL, further professionalizing the sport.

Q: Is college basketball losing popularity?

A: March Madness remains a major cultural event, but regular-season engagement has stagnated as fans follow prospects across different paths (NBA G League, Europe, NIL stars online).

Q: What happened to G League Ignite, and how did it affect college basketball?

The NBA shut down G League Ignite in March 2024. With NIL allowing college players to earn money, Ignite lost its recruiting advantage. Elite prospects now choose college for the combination of NIL income, March Madness exposure, and professional-level development. College basketball has since experienced a resurgence, with 12 college players projected in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery. Read more on this topic here: CBB is so back!

More college basketball landscape content:

College Basketball Needs to Change with Fran Fraschilla | John Wooden Stories with Steve Lavin | How NIL Is Reshaping March Madness 2026

Check out our NIL Hub. Updated frequently.

👉 Partner with SportsEpreneur to feature your brand in our athlete & NIL coverage. Contact us today.