Former G League player Thierry Darlan ruled that he was eligible for the NCAA to play in Santa Clara

Thierry Darlan, a former G League player, is ruled by the NCAA to play College Basketball and signed on 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 aluin that plays basketball. Although he is technically played professionally for two years, the G League is essentially no different than European Pro competitions, where international university players often come from. The NCAA does not comment on specific eligible matters, but since the arrival of NIL, which allows players to cash in during their university career, the organization has considerably released its rather strict rules regarding amateurism.

Darlan has been eligible for another two years and will probably play a leading role for the Broncos. He recently played for the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League, an average of 11 points, six rebounds and two assists during the 2024-25 season. The season before he played with the G League Ignite, on average slightly less than five points per game.

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

Darlan previously declared the NBA design of 2025, but later withdrew his name. He graduated from the NBA Academy Africa program.

(Photo: Dave Eggen / NBAE via Getty images)