The Bucks’ star forward sparks thought experiment on hypothetical NCAA eligibility
There are several NBA stars fans unfortunately never got to see don a college uniform.
Whether it’s the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time champion, LeBron James, who bypassed college and entered the league straight from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, or even Luka Dončić, who played overseas for Real Madrid in Spain before being selected by the Dallas Mavericks, some of the league’s biggest what-ifs revolve around what it would have been like to see these superstars in college arenas, lighting it up come March Madness.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo recently hypothesized about whether or not he had college eligibility, jokingly asking if he could play for Marquette in a post on X.
“Random thoughts as I sit in my living room…do I have college eligibility???” Antetokounmpo posted. “Can I suit up for Marquette tonight?”
It’s certainly an interesting hypothetical, as having a two-time MVP, one-time NBA champion and nine-time NBA all-star suit up for the Golden Eagles would overpower the NCAA in a way that has never been seen before. Just imagine Antetokounmpo, who regularly dominates against professional hoopers, posting up against a graduate transfer at a mid-major school.
It wouldn’t be fair, nor would it ever happen.
Nevertheless, it’s fun to think of Milwaukee’s franchise player taking his talents to Division I basketball.
Antetokounmpo’s post on a potential college career comes at a time when eligibility is frequently discussed.
A recent example that sparked much debate was London Johnson, who previously played in the NBA’s G-League, committing to Louisville for next year’s campaign beginning in 2026.
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo shared his thoughts on the news, wondering how it was allowed that a G-League player could play for a college team.
“A guy can be in the G-League for two or three years, and then all of a sudden he’s eligible,” Izzo said in a press conference last month. “Most of my people knew nothing about it. I don’t think our commissioner. I am not real excited about the NCAA or whoever’s making these decisions without talking to us, just letting it go ‘cause they’re afraid they’re going to get sued. So, you’re right, I said that this really bothers your coach if you’re Michigan State fans.”
It’s difficult to posit whether Antetokounmpo playing in college would fall under the scenario Izzo described and ultimately shared his disdain toward, given the years he’s spent in the NBA, but the Milwaukee star’s post comes at an interesting time regardless, given all that has changed in college basketball due to eligibility, the transfer portal and NIL.