The Big Ten unanimously adopted a conference rule Monday that bars men's and women's basketball players with professional ties from competing at its schools. The rule covers any player who signed a contract with the NBA, G League or WNBA or with any team in those leagues, any player who was on one of those rosters at any point, and any player who declared for the NBA or WNBA Draft and didn't withdraw or declare an intent to return to college in time. The conference said it's still evaluating similar rules for other sports.
The Big Ten passed a football version of the rule on August 25, the same day the SEC passed a broader rule that already included basketball. The Big 12 and the ACC followed within two days. The Big Ten's football rule carries a half-season suspension for the head coach and a fine for the school. Monday's statement didn't list penalties for basketball or an effective date.
A judge can stop the NCAA from declaring a player ineligible, and the conference rule still keeps that player off a Big Ten roster. A Dallas judge on August 27 became the first to restrain a conference directly, naming the NCAA, the SEC and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey in an order covering 41 plaintiffs.