In a recent discussion, Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari shared his thoughts on the changing world of college basketball. He focused on the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era and the topic of revenue sharing.
Calipari’s comments came after the Razorbacks’ 82-58 win over Fresno State. Since then, his remarks have stirred up a fair bit of debate.
The coach pointed out that college basketball players are getting older. He thinks it’s time for the NCAA to rethink eligibility rules, especially with the gap widening between younger and older teams.
John Calipari’s Concerns About Aging Rosters
Calipari was asked about this after a string of surprising upsets in college basketball. Gonzaga’s blowout over Kentucky, Louisville beating Indiana, and Iowa State’s win over Purdue all seemed to highlight the issue.
He noted just how many older players are sticking around, some even juggling college hoops with real adult responsibilities—raising kids, handling alimony, and earning money through NIL deals. It’s a different world now.
There are a lot of older gentlemen with beards playing basketball in college right now, Calipari joked. It’s a bit wild to see players with families still out there competing.
He worries these older athletes create big mismatches against younger teams, both mentally and physically. Calipari wants the NCAA to take another look at the rules to keep things fair.
The Impact of NIL and Revenue Sharing
NIL has changed college basketball in ways nobody saw coming. Players can now make money off their name while still in school, and that’s encouraged some to stick around longer than they might have before.
Older players can now support themselves with endorsements and other deals. Calipari thinks this shift could lead to more lopsided games, with experienced teams steamrolling the younger ones.
The Razorbacks are expected to be one of the three youngest teams in the SEC this year. That’s exciting for the future, but it’s tough when they run into teams full of veterans.
Last year every team was old in our league. They were old, he said. It’s a real challenge for the younger squads.
Statistical Trends in College Basketball
The average age of college basketball players just keeps climbing. Lev Akabas of Sportico found that the average age of starters in the Sweet 16 went from 20.8 to 21.6 between 2019 and 2025.
And get this: Auburn’s starting five once averaged 23.2 years old—older than starters on five NBA teams at the time. That’s not something you see every day.
Potential Changes to NCAA Eligibility Rules
There’s been a lot of chatter about what the NCAA might do with eligibility rules. Some coaches have wondered if athletes could get an extra year without having to redshirt, which could make the age gap even bigger.
But for now, the NCAA says the current rules—five years to play four seasons—are here to stay through at least the 2026-27 academic year. A memo from October made that pretty clear, so don’t expect any big changes soon.
Looking Ahead
The NIL era is still new, and its effects on college basketball are just starting to show. Coaches like John Calipari are now pushing for changes to eligibility rules, hoping to keep things fair for everyone.
The conversation about player age and how NIL deals shape the game isn’t going anywhere. Folks from every corner of the sport seem to have an opinion, and honestly, who can blame them?
If you want to dig deeper into what Calipari thinks about all this, check out the full article on Bleacher Report: John Calipari’s Must-Hear Quote About NIL Era Goes Viral After Arkansas Video.
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