Oklahoma State’s men’s basketball program is entering a pivotal season, one that could redefine how college teams manage talent over the next few years.
Coach Steve Lutz has taken advantage of the NCAA’s newly implemented 5‑for‑5 rule, which grants athletes a five‑year window to complete five years of eligibility, effectively erasing the traditional redshirt distinction.
Under the rule, any player who has already used a season of competition can still return for additional years, provided they have not exhausted their five‑year eligibility clock.
A New Eligibility Landscape
The change means that current Cowboys who have already burned a year of competition, such as Kanye Clary, will see their remaining eligibility adjusted. Clary, who entered college with four years of experience including a redshirt, now finds himself on the brink of his final season.
Jordan Burks, listed as a senior on the roster, has not yet utilized his redshirt year, giving him the prospect of two more seasons of play.
International recruits add another layer of complexity. Andrija Grbovic and Luka Bogavac, each with only a single year of U.S. college basketball under their belts, bring professional experience from abroad and will be eligible for multiple additional seasons.
The remainder of the roster consists of athletes who have yet to use a redshirt, meaning they each gain an extra year of eligibility beyond what was previously available.
Among the newcomers, transfer guard Kashie Natt from Sam Houston State is petitioning for a waiver after a standout career in the NAIA, while the program holds a scholarship for Parsa Fallah, a player sidelined by an ACL tear late last year and now seeking a waiver to join the team.
Waiver Decisions on the Horizon
The NCAA has set a July 31 deadline to rule on these waiver requests, a timeline that will determine which players can fully capitalize on the extended eligibility window.
If the waivers are approved, the Cowboys could field a uniquely deep squad that blends home‑grown talent, seasoned seniors, and internationally experienced players, all operating under the same five‑year eligibility framework.