January 2, 2026
NCAA News
NCAA Clarifies Eligibility
NCAA President, Charlie Baker issued a statement clarifying that players who have signed NBA contracts, including two-way deals, are not eligible to play college basketball. This announcement comes after Baylor University signed James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick, and other instances of players with professional experience joining college teams. The move has been met with mixed reactions from coaches, with some praising the clarity and others expressing concern about the changing landscape of college athletics.
Nebraska Remains Undefeated
The University of Nebraska men's basketball team has improved to 13 - 0, their best start since the 1928 - 29 season. Their recent victory over New Hampshire has them ranked 13th in the CBS Sports poll.
High School Basketball
Sunnyslope Cracks National Rankings
Sunnyslope High School from Phoenix, Arizona, has entered the MaxPreps Top 25 national rankings at number 9. The Vikings earned their spot after winning the prestigious Classic at Damien tournament, where they avenged their only loss of the season.
Illinois Sophomore Scores 51
Jaxson Davis, a sophomore at Warren Township High School in Illinois, delivered a record-breaking performance by scoring 51 points in the championship game of the Big Dipper tournament. Davis's phenomenal scoring effort led his team to victory and earned him the tournament's MVP award.
-Sources: Meyer, C. (2025, December 31). NCAA president says players with NBA contracts not eligible for college basketball. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/12/31/ncaa-charlie-baker-eligibility-college-basketball-nba-james-nnaji-baylor/87970281007/
Parrish, G. (2025, December 31). Top 25 and 1: Nebraska undefeated with clash vs. Michigan State up next. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-nebraska-michigan-state-top-25-and-1/
Divens, J. (2025, December 31). High school basketball rankings: Sunnyslope breaks into this week's MaxPreps Top 25 after winning the Classic at Damien. Max preps. https://www.maxpreps.com/news/OyaHflz3TEijj2vzhKsUUQ/high-school-basketball-rankings-sunnyslope-breaks-into-this-weeks-maxpreps-top-25-after-winning-the-classic-at-damien.htm
Phillips, J. (2025, December 31). Warren High School's Jaxson Davis explodes for 51 in Big Dipper Title Game. Chicago Crusader. https://chicagocrusader.com/warren-hs-jaxson-davis-51-big-dipper-titile-game-jaxson-davis/