The Chicago Bulls signed undrafted rookie free agents Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers to two-way contracts.
The world of college sports is an enigma. Athletes are staying in the NCAA for five, six, seven or even more years due to redshirt seasons and the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawsuits galore allow those who have aged out to defy the NCAA and return to college sports.
On Monday afternoon, another landmark event in the ongoing saga occurred. Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Dae'Quan Wright was waived by the NFL franchise so that he could return to college and commit to LSU through the transfer portal. Thanks to temporary injunctions and restraining orders, Wright's case is projected to be the first in which an athlete who signed a contract with a major North American sports league returns to college.
That begs the question, where is the line drawn? First, the NCAA allowed international athletes who had signed professional contracts to play for its member universities. Then, athletes who had appeared in G League and NBA Summer League games were temporarily allowed to suit up last season. Now, it seems like even those who have signed professional roster contracts in the NBA and NFL could be coming back to school.
Should NBA teams start wondering if any of their young players who aren't receiving much playing time or are on smaller contracts could return to college for publicity, and potentially a one-year pay increase?
Fortunately for the Bulls, neither of their two draftees has any reason to leave the NBA. No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson is the presumed face of a premier NBA franchise and is set to make $48 million over the next four years. No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain will earn roughly half of Wilson's contract — still more than he'd make in college — and the 21-year-old would likely not be able to improve his draft stock any further if he returned to the NCAA.
But the context isn't the same for Chicago's two-way players Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers. Texas Tech guard Donovan Atwell chose a return to Lubbock over a potential two-way contract with the Bulls; could Awaka and Sellers decide the same?
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) shoots against Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara (15) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Awaka, 22, would be eligible for another year of college hoops under the NCAA's new "5-for-5" rule. The model states that a five-year period begins when an athlete either enrolls full-time in college or turns 19 years old — whichever comes first. Awaka enrolled at Tennessee as an 18-year-old in 2022 and spent two years in Knoxville before transferring to Arizona for his final two seasons.
Chicago signed Awaka to a two-way contract this summer, which will allow him to play at the NBA and G League levels. Former St. John's guard RJ Luis signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz last year and was traded to the Boston Celtics, but on Monday, he was granted a preliminary injunction to enter the NCAA transfer portal and commit to LSU.
Luis did not play in the G League last season because of injury, so for Awaka — who has yet to take the floor as a professional — there is precedent.
Sellers similarly played four full seasons of collegiate basketball, but he would not be eligible for another year under the "5-for-5" rule. The guard used a redshirt in 2024-25 after injuries limited him to just three games, and since he began college in 2021, his five calendar years of eligibility have been all used up.
Mar 11, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Jaylin Sellers (2) drives against Butler Bulldogs forward Michael Ajayi (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Still, the opportunity poses an interesting question for Awaka. The 6-foot-8 forward wasn't drafted this summer and will make less than $700,000 on his two-way contract. He also probably won't get much run at the NBA level this year, with Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, Leonard Miller, Patrick Williams and more in front of him on the depth chart.
It may be more worth it monetarily and exposure-wise to return to Arizona, which reached the Final Four last season and could be a national title contender again this year. However, that would cost Awaka a chance at fulfilling his dreams in the NBA, which has far less roster spots available than a league like the NFL.
The chances are high that Wright will still be able to earn a contract on the Browns' roster or practice squad again in one year. Awaka may not be able to say the same.
That being said, the landscape is rapidly changing, with the college football season beginning this upcoming Saturday. The Big Ten and other power conferences have already started coming together to combat NFL players returning to school. Will they make the same decision for the NBA and college basketball? Only time will tell.
