La Velle E. Neal III’s 3-2 pitch: NCAA sits idly by watching as zany things happen

Here’s the 3-2 Pitch: Three observations and two predictions regarding the local sports scene.

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo has said it. Arkansas’ John Calipari has said it.

And now Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved is saying it.

They are begging for direction from the rudderless ship that is the NCAA when it comes to eligibility issues.

“Right now, there’s nothing,” Medved said during a Jan. 2 news conference. “Right now, there’s no enforcement arm that’s been agreed upon that all the schools can have. So what do we do all this for?”

Coaches across college basketball are scratching their heads over the NCAA granting eligibility to 7-foot center James Nnaji last week to enroll and play for Baylor. It’s the first time a player selected in the NBA draft was cleared to play in the NCAA. Nnaji, born in Nigeria and drafted 31st overall in 2023, never played in the NBA or signed a contract. In the NCAA’s eyes, he’s eligible.

Many coaches feel that’s a slippery slope. Many already have a problem with the influx of players coming from overseas — where they have played on club teams — to play in college.

And, last month, a sixth player, forward Toni Bilic from Croatia, was cleared to join for the second semester and will be eligible immediately. The Gophers visit the Balkan Six on Jan. 17.

These players are taking advantage of unprecedented revenue sharing and name, image and likeness opportunities. Nnaji’s arrival has generated a national discussion.

“In this particular case, he never played an NBA game,” Medved said. “I don’t believe he actually signed a NBA deal. So I don’t know what the difference is between him and these guys that are coming from overseas.”

Medved understands that players want a piece of the pie and programs want to tap into whatever talent pool is available.

“But nobody is looking out for what is the best for college basketball,” he said. “What’s the best thing for college football or college sports in general?

An influx European pros. Granting mid-season eligibility. Allowing athletes to bounce from school to school chasing the NIL bag. The NCAA seems to let a lot of things go, probably fearing more lawsuits.

And we might see a day in which a player sues to return to college because he or she flamed out after a couple years in the pros.

Just something else for NCAA to sort out.

Medved could benefit from a Nnaji-like signing right now.

Forward Robert Vaihola, the Gophers leading rebounder at 7.6 boards a game, was ruled out for the season last week following a knee injury. Medved said that Vaihola will likely seek a medical redshirt and has a good chance of getting one.

Vaihola joins Chansey Willis, Jr. on the sideline. A foot issue has ended Willis’ season.

Guard Chance Stephens and forward BJ Omot have not played all season, presumably because of health/injury reasons.

“It’s just been hard to practice a lot, live,” Medved said. “Just with the numbers we have.”

All this right when the meat of the Big Ten schedule arrives. The timing couldn’t be any worse for Medved’s gang, as Iowa comes to The Barn on Jan 6.

Let’s look back at a development during the MLB winter meetings last month.

But Baldelli decided to join the Dodgers front office as a special assistant. He landed at the best possible spot.

He’s reunited with Dodgers President Andrew Friedman, who was with Tampa Bay when Baldelli reached the majors. The role will allow him to work with players, which he enjoys, without dealing with the daily coaching grind. And he can spend plenty of time with his family in Rhode Island.

And he gets a shot at ring, as the Dodgers go for a three-peat in 2026. That’s not happening anytime soon around here. Well done, Rocco.