NBA champ pokes fun at basketball players trying to return to school

Marreese Speights, a erstwhile NBA subordinate who won a title pinch nan Golden State Warriors and a nationalist title pinch nan Florida Gators, poked nosy astatine hoops players trying to return to schoolhouse connected Wednesday.

Speights, 38, facetiously announced he was returning to nan Gators astir 20 years aft he near nan schoolhouse to prosecute a pro career. He played 2 years astatine Florida earlier declaring for nan NBA successful 2008.

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Golden State Warriors halfway Marreese Speights reacts aft being called for a foul against nan Utah Jazz during nan 4th fourth astatine Oracle Arena successful Oakland, Calif., connected March 9, 2016. The Warriors defeated nan Jazz 115-94. (Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports)

"After 18 seasons, I will beryllium returning to Florida pinch 2 years near to play," he wrote connected X pinch a photograph of himself successful a Gators uniform. "Man, aft having a awesome speech pinch @CoachToddGolden , I’m excited to beryllium backmost and person nan opportunity to play again for nan Florida Gators.

"After a agelong NBA career, pinch nan caller rules successful place, I’ll beryllium backmost connected nan tribunal for nan adjacent 2 years."

Speights was intelligibly poking nosy astatine erstwhile college hoops players trying to return to schoolhouse aft having been connected G League rosters.

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Orlando Magic guardant Marreese Speights reacts during a crippled against nan Atlanta Hawks astatine Amway Center successful Orlando, Fla., connected Feb. 8, 2018. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

LSU Tigers caput coach Will Wade was reportedly successful nan process of signing erstwhile G League subordinate and St. John’s Red Storm prima R.J. Luis. The move is expected to travel a petition to nan NCAA to reconstruct Luis’ eligibility. Luis played 3 seasons successful assemblage earlier he signed a two-way statement pinch nan Utah Jazz and later traded to nan Boston Celtics.

He ne'er played successful nan NBA aliases nan G League.

The NCAA has antecedently granted eligibility to world students who person played master overseas. However, nan NCAA past play denied erstwhile G League subordinate Charles Bediako’s effort to resume his assemblage profession astatine Alabama.

St. John's defender RJ Luis Jr. and defender Kadary Richmond beryllium connected nan chair during nan 2nd half of a second-round NCAA Tournament crippled against Arkansas astatine Amica Mutual Pavilion connected March 22, 2025. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)

Bediako sued to person his eligibility restored and was capable to play 5 games for nan Crimson Tide while a impermanent restraining bid was successful effect. However, he was barred from finishing nan play erstwhile a judge denied his petition for injunctive relief.

Nigerian halfway James Nnaji, who was an NBA draught pick, was granted 4 years of NCAA eligibility past year. He ne'er appeared successful an NBA crippled arsenic his draught authorities were traded. He played for FC Barcelona successful Liga ACB successful Spain. They mutually parted ways past August.

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"As schools are progressively recruiting individuals pinch world convention experience, nan NCAA is exercising discretion successful applying nan existent and basal expenses bylaw to guarantee that prospective student-athletes pinch acquisition successful American hoops leagues are not astatine a disadvantage compared to their world counterparts," NCAA President Charlie Baker said successful a connection astatine nan time. "Rules person agelong permitted schools to enroll and play individuals pinch nary anterior collegiate acquisition midyear."

Fox News’ Scott Thompson and nan Associated Press contributed to this report.