The ‘5-in-5’ NCAA rule has been gaining traction over the last couple of weeks, which was believed to systematically grandfather in seniors for an extra year of college basketball.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has been an advocate for the change and allowing this rule to come into play, which would be the most groundbreaking passing by athletics administrators to date – and would bring on the craziest offseason ever.

If you’re not aware of what the current rule entails, college athletes are given five years to complete four years of eligibility. If the ‘5-in-5’ rule is put into play, student athletes will be granted five years to participate in five seasons of college athletics, starting either after their graduation from high school or on their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

Players like Mark Mitchell or Xaivian Lee could return and make a solid impact on their team if something like this actually happens, sure, but imagine a world where a team’s former superstar could make a return, such as Kentucky’s Otega Oweh.

Obviously any fanbase would love to have a player of that caliber return, but a new formation has turned the odds from “likely” to “we’ll wait and see” for the time being.

On Monday, April 27, the D1 Board of Directors directed the cabinet to advance on with the new rule with Baker stating to ESPN that he’s “pretty optimistic” that it’ll happen. However, a backtrack on the formerly believed information took place, with the change said to be taking place next season, not this season.

“If you’ve used up your eligibility, you’ve used it up,” said Baker when asked about the situation.

With that, there’s layers upon layers of decisions to be made. What will be the final verdict be in May? What will the rules be for players to actually return? Is there interest for Oweh to return and forgo his NBA future? Does the NCAA expect to beat the antagonizing number of lawsuits headed its way if this rule exempts this senior class?

The next couple of weeks, even days, will require immediate focus on making the right call, with the future of college athletics riding on the outcome. No matter what may happen, BBN will hope that it allows them to have one final ride, just one more time, with their favorite player.

Kentucky added a major piece to its frontcourt.

Ousmane N’Diaye, a prospect with three years of professional experience in some of the top leagues in Europe, has signed with the Kentucky Wildcats for a two-year deal, per source, with the second year having a buyout option.

At 6-foot-11, N’Diaye is a mobile big man with perimeter skill, bringing a modern skillset to Kentucky. He is comfortable stepping out and knocking down perimeter shots while also possessing the length and athleticism to make an impact defensively.

N’Diaye’s name first popped up in 2016 at a Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp in Angola, where former Wildcat Eric Bledsoe was an instructor. At just 12 years old, he was one of 87 participants. Fast forward to 2020, ESPN highlighted a then 15-year-old N’Diaye as “one of the best long-term prospects we evaluated” following a Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Chicago, playing against the likes of current NBA players Josh Giddey and Josh Primo.

N’Diaye began to play for professional clubs in 2019, starting with Dragons Rhoendorf, a German professional club that competes in the country’s third-highest division. After three seasons with them, N’Diaye moved to Saski Baskonia, which plays in Spain’s top division, Liga ACB. This past season, he played for the Italian club, Vanoli Cremona, in the LBA, Italy’s top basketball league. There, he averaged 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds on 32% shooting from three. He entered his name into the NBA Draft in 2025 as a potential second-round selection, but went undrafted.

N’Diaye will now make his way to Lexington, where he will look to showcase his athleticism, physical tools, and floor spacing, and work on his decision-making and on-ball perimeter defense.

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.