The NCAA's eligibility framework is once again under the spotlight, as the organization grapples with how to treat international athletes who arrive on campus with professional experience.
Ajša Sivka, the Slovenian star who was selected tenth overall in the 2025 WNBA draft, signed with the University of Kentucky women's basketball program earlier this year. Her résumé includes stints with Konjice in the Slovenian league and a reputation as a versatile guard.
Coach Kenny Brooks has repeatedly voiced confidence that Sivka will meet the NCAA's eligibility criteria, citing the association's recent willingness to accommodate players with overseas pedigrees.
The issue extends beyond Sivka. NCAA President Charlie Baker has warned that American prospects could be disadvantaged if the association does not adjust its policies to reflect the globalized nature of the sport.
Similar narratives have emerged in the SEC, where athletes such as Kerr Kriisa and Clara Silva have navigated comparable pathways, prompting the governing body to revisit its eligibility benchmarks.
The conversation also touches on the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, which defines an international player as anyone born and residing outside the United States, and on the potential for an age‑based eligibility window that could shape future decisions.
Navigating eligibility rules
The NCAA's review process reflects a broader shift toward flexibility, as the association seeks input from stakeholders across the collegiate landscape.
Legal experts and former coaches, including Dawn Staley and Jon Steinbrecher, have offered perspectives that could influence the final determination.
Meanwhile, the organization continues to gather data on players from Lithuania, Spain, and other basketball‑rich nations, weighing the merits of each case against the overarching goal of competitive fairness.