The 5-in-5 Rule and NIL: Why College Basketball Is Taking a Timeout
College Basketball’s Recruiting Freeze: How NIL and the 5-in-5 Rule Changes Everything
For the first time in years, college basketball coaches are experiencing an unusually calm October. Gone are the hectic recruiting weekends and the long, cross-country flights to impress top high school prospects. Instead, gyms are quiet while football stadiums are packed, reflecting the dramatic slowdown in basketball recruiting activity.
This shift stems from a complex mix of factors. According to Dan Wetzel’s recent ESPN report, the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, the ever-evolving transfer portal, and the NCAA’s proposed “5-in-5 Rule” have combined to put recruiting on hold. The 5-in-5 Rule would grant every athlete five years to play five full seasons, eliminating the need for redshirts and ending the confusion caused by waiver lawsuits. While the rule itself appears logical, the NCAA has yet to announce when or how it will be implemented. If enacted, seniors would receive an extra year of eligibility, ultimately resulting in fewer available scholarships for incoming freshmen. As a consequence, coaches are unable to make definitive plans and recruits are left waiting for answers.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood captured the uncertainty best, stating, “I’m not wasting the time or the dollars.” Rather than organizing large recruiting events, Underwood is opting to hold off until spring, when rosters and budgets are expected to clarify.
At the heart of this uncertainty lies the NIL budget. Today’s college head coach must act as both recruiter and financial strategist, weighing every scholarship against its associated NIL cost. Retaining a current starter can require just as much effort and investment as bringing in a promising freshman. The core question for coaches has shifted from “Can this kid play?” to “Can we afford him and keep him happy?” As a result, high school recruiting has dropped off significantly, with coaches increasingly turning to the transfer portal for older, proven players who understand how to navigate NIL opportunities.
This changing landscape presents a unique opportunity for mid-major programs. With elite schools hesitating to offer scholarships to high school athletes, recruits who might have spent years on a Power-5 bench now have the chance to start, score, and build their personal brands at smaller schools. In the NIL era, on-court production translates directly into market power. Coaches like Underwood view this shift as an opportunity rather than a crisis, encouraging players to “go build your brand as a double-digit scorer.” Consistency and visibility now outweigh mere hype in the race for NIL deals.
This quiet fall in college basketball is not a sign of failure, but rather a reflection of a new normal. Programs are learning to operate more like businesses, carefully balancing NIL budgets, managing rosters like payrolls, and waiting until spring to make major decisions. For athletes and their representatives, this means that strategic preparation will be the key to success. Those players who approach their careers with professionalism and patience will be best positioned to thrive when the market shifts and the chaos begins.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46544671/why-college-basketball-coaches-watch-more-football-2025
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