UNC Men’s Basketball 2025-2026

[SnoopRob]

Seems like a dumb reason to keep him from playing. If he was admitted then he should be able to play. I don't understand why the number of specific credits he already had that can transfer would keep him from playing.

It seemingly has to do with NCAA rules regarding progress toward graduation and does he have enough class/major-specific transfer credits to be considered "on-track" to graduate vis-a-vis the number of credits he has overall.

 

[HeelInTheOzarks]

If that’s the case then the earliest we would see him is January, if at all.

 

[SnoopRob]

If that’s the case then the earliest we would see him is January, if at all.

Not necessarily, as it seems the issue is that we are currently unable to evaluate some of his transfer credits. If we are able to get more detailed info (e.g. a syllabus with details) about some of his previous classes, then we would be potentially able to certify his eligibility (which is what insiders seem to think will happen, although nobody knows for sure).

 

[Centerpiece]

If that’s the case then the earliest we would see him is January, if at all.

If he hasn't played already in November... he won't be Stateside in January. Mark it.

 

[Enigma94]

The NCAA expects the school to follow its already-established procedures regarding transfer students and not to "just call him a freshman" while we figure things out and then make it right.

My hunch is that such a course of action would end up with us receiving penalties from the NCAA.

So what happens if we get all the information and none of it transfers? Luka has to have some credits transfer to attend the university?

 

[donbosco]

Who hired Bill Bellycheck? That's who is behind the Luka fiasco.
.

Marco Rubio?

 

[SnoopRob]

So what happens if we get all the information and none of it transfers? Luka has to have some credits transfer to attend the university?

If absolutely none (or very, very few) of his classes transfer in any way, shape, or form, he could be legitimately determined to be an academic freshman.

What is much, much more likely is that some number of his classes will transfer, but the question is...will they transfer as specific class equivalents or as general elective hours?

And while Carolina hasn't specifically spelled this out in what has been reported, my strong hunch is that he's got enough classes that will transfer in some respect to be placed in a particular class (Junior seems most likely, but possibly Sophomore) by credit hours, but the University doesn't have enough information about some courses to determine if they can grant specific "class equivalents" that would be needed to count toward "progress toward graduation".

Here are the specific NCAA rules about progress toward graduation...

11.4.4.3 24-Hour Rule (first-year)

- Incoming student-athletes must successfully complete 24 credits of degree applicable hours prior to the start of the student-athlete’s second year of enrollment (third semester). Summer courses (before and after the first year), test credit, and transfer credit can count toward this total.

11.4.4.4 Percentage of Degree for Eligibility to Compete

- Entering the fifth semester, a student must have earned 48 credits of degree applicable hours or 40% of the 120 hours required for graduation
- Entering the seventh semester, a student must have earned 72 credits of degree applicable hours or 60% of the 120 hours required for graduation
- Entering a ninth semester (when applicable), a student must have earned 96 credits of degree applicable hours or 80% of the 120 hours required for graduation

What frustrates me is that once the University knew he was going to be a transfer student with some previous classes, they should have done everything possible to have already received the information to make class-specific determinations regarding how a particular class would transfer; including sending someone to Serbia to go to his college and seek the needed course information/syllabi for each course in question. That might have to be someone affiliated with the Athletic Department to make the trip, but it should have been figured out long ago.

 

[C-Money]

I thought the NCAA cleared him, though. Why would they clear him to play if they are worried about the number of credits he can transfer?

 

[SnoopRob]

I thought the NCAA cleared him, though. Why would they clear him to play if they are worried about the number of credits he can transfer?

The NCAA Clearinghouse does initial eligibility - which Luka has obtained; each school is responsible for on-going eligibility - which is what this is concerning.

 

[C-Money]

But if he is admitted then it seems the only question is what year is he based on whatever transfers. Just seems like a technicality that shouldn't keep him from playing.

 

[Enigma94]

If absolutely none (or very, very few) of his classes transfer in any way, shape, or form, he could be legitimately determined to be an academic freshman.

What is much, much more likely is that some number of his classes will transfer, but the question is...will they transfer as specific class equivalents or as general elective hours?

And while Carolina hasn't specifically spelled this out in what has been reported, my strong hunch is that he's got enough classes that will transfer in some respect to be placed in a particular class (Junior seems most likely, but possibly Sophomore) by credit hours, but the University doesn't have enough information about some courses to determine if they can grant specific "class equivalents" that would be needed to count toward "progress toward graduation".

Here are the specific NCAA rules about progress toward graduation...

11.4.4.3 24-Hour Rule (first-year)

- Incoming student-athletes must successfully complete 24 credits of degree applicable hours prior to the start of the student-athlete’s second year of enrollment (third semester). Summer courses (before and after the first year), test credit, and transfer credit can count toward this total.

11.4.4.4 Percentage of Degree for Eligibility to Compete

- Entering the fifth semester, a student must have earned 48 credits of degree applicable hours or 40% of the 120 hours required for graduation
- Entering the seventh semester, a student must have earned 72 credits of degree applicable hours or 60% of the 120 hours required for graduation
- Entering a ninth semester (when applicable), a student must have earned 96 credits of degree applicable hours or 80% of the 120 hours required for graduation

What frustrates me is that once the University knew he was going to be a transfer student with some previous classes, they should have done everything possible to have already received the information to make class-specific determinations regarding how a particular class would transfer; including sending someone to Serbia to go to his college and seek the needed course information/syllabi for each course in question. That might have to be someone affiliated with the Athletic Department to make the trip, but it should have been figured out long ago.

It’s the NCAA so anything is possible but it makes zero sense that he could play as a freshman but he’s not eligible to play because he might be a junior. What if he just wanted to start over? Certainly UNC could admit an international student as a freshman without worrying about whatever classes they took abroad.

 

[UNCatTech]

At this point the Student Athlete thing is a farce. I really don't understand why they even pretend, just admit him and if he wants to take classes seriously, he can.

 

[C-Money]

It’s the NCAA so anything is possible but it makes zero sense that he could play as a freshman but he’s not eligible to play because he might be a junior. What if he just wanted to start over? Certainly UNC could admit an international student as a freshman without worrying about whatever classes they took abroad.

Yeah, doesn't make sense. Why does it matter what class he is designated as?

 

[Peppers49]

Maybe this is naive but I still have to think there were some buttons that UNC could have pressed to expedite this whole thing.

Luka isn’t the only player in the sport that’s coming in this season from either overseas or some other unique circumstance, right? Are any other teams going through stuff like this close to the start of the season?

 

[SnoopRob]

It’s the NCAA so anything is possible but it makes zero sense that he could play as a freshman but he’s not eligible to play because he might be a junior. What if he just wanted to start over? Certainly UNC could admit an international student as a freshman without worrying about whatever classes they took abroad.

I would guess that a student who "wanted to start over" could do so (provided there were no objections regarding visas or paying tuition or any other involved parties). But I'm not sure that the NCAA would allow that to happen concerning athletic eligibility and would likely take a hard view of doing so if it seemed designed to get around eligibility requirements.

 

[SnoopRob]

Maybe this is naive but I still have to think there were some buttons that UNC could have pressed to expedite this whole thing.

Luca isn’t the only player in the sport that’s coming in this season from either overseas or some other unique circumstance, right? Are any other teams going through stuff like this close to the start of the season?

Based on reporting, international basketball players having already taken college classes (especially beyond minimal classes) is pretty unusual, although I haven't seen any systematic reporting on the topic.

I do think it's a black eye for Carolina to have not realized the potential issue here earlier and have gone the extra mile to have proactively dealt with it.

 

[Enigma94]

I would guess that a student who "wanted to start over" could do so (provided there were no objections regarding visas or paying tuition or any other involved parties). But I'm not sure that the NCAA would allow that to happen concerning athletic eligibility and would likely take a hard view of doing so if it seemed designed to get around eligibility requirements.

I mean that explanation is totally asinine but it is the NCAA.

 

[SnoopRob]

I mean that explanation is totally asinine but it is the NCAA.

I mean, yeah.

To be fair, I've never seen the NCAA handle that particular issue but my assumption is they'd not be particularly flexible on the matter.

 

[Centerpiece]

Marco Rubio?

Exactly. Republican shenanigans

 

[Centerpiece]

Maybe this is naive but I still have to think there were some buttons that UNC could have pressed to expedite this whole thing.

Luca isn’t the only player in the sport that’s coming in this season from either overseas or some other unique circumstance, right? Are any other teams going through stuff like this close to the start of the season?

I asked this same question days ago… this board has no answer.