Former G League player Thierry Darlan ruled eligible by the NCAA to play at Santa Clara

Thierry Darlan, a former G League player, has been ruled eligible by the NCAA to play college basketball, signing Tuesday with Santa Clara of the West Coast Conference.

Darlan, a 6-foot-8, 211-pound guard originally from the Central African Republic, will be the first G League alum to play college basketball. Even though he’s technically played professionally for two years, the G League is essentially no different from European pro leagues, where international college players often come from. The NCAA doesn’t comment on specific eligibility cases, but since the advent of NIL, which allows players to cash in during their college careers, the organization has significantly loosened its previously strict rules related to amateurism.

Darlan has two years of eligibility remaining and will likely play a starring role for the Broncos. He most recently played for the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League, averaging 11 points, six rebounds and two assists during the 2024-25 season. The season prior, he played with the G League Ignite, averaging just under five points per game.

Santa Clara went 21-13 overall and 12-6 in the WCC last season and advanced to the second round of the NIT.

Darlan previously declared for the 2025 NBA Draft but later withdrew his name. He is a graduate of the NBA Academy Africa program.

(Photo: Dave Eggen / NBAE via Getty Images)