This spring, the college basketball transfer portal once again turned into a revolving door, with thousands of student-athletes seeking new homes in pursuit of better opportunities, fresh starts, or simply more playing time. But among the chaos and carousel of movement, one peculiar group has stood out: at least 137 players entered the portal with no remaining college eligibility.

Yes, you read that right. These are players who, by NCAA rules, have exhausted their five-year eligibility clock — and yet, their names are officially in the portal. The question is: why?

A Byproduct of the Portal Boom

Over the past few seasons, the transfer portal has become a dominant storyline in college basketball. With the one-time transfer rule, the COVID "bonus year," and increased player empowerment, roster movement has surged.

But as we move further from the pandemic’s eligibility disruptions, more athletes are aging out of the system — whether due to standard four-year playing careers, redshirt seasons, or grad transfers.

What makes the current group of 137 unique is that, despite having no official games left to play, their portal entries hint at either a misunderstanding of the rules, a last-ditch hope for a waiver, or perhaps something even more strategic.

Why Enter the Portal With No Eligibility?

Several reasons may explain why these players still chose to enter:

1. Hope for a Medical Hardship Waiver: Some are awaiting word from the NCAA on an additional year of eligibility due to past injuries. While rare, these waivers have precedent, especially for players who missed multiple seasons.

2. Showcasing for Pro Opportunities: By entering the portal, players remain visible to coaches, scouts, and international recruiters. Even if they can’t play, the act of transferring keeps them in conversations and on radars.

3. Transition Into Coaching or Support Roles: Some athletes might be using the portal to position themselves for graduate assistant or player development jobs at other programs, capitalizing on existing relationships.

4. Misunderstanding or Miscommunication: In some cases, players — or those advising them — may not fully understand their eligibility status, especially with the complex rules surrounding redshirts, waivers, and COVID years.

The Bigger Picture

The presence of these “out-of-eligibility” players underscores how the portal era is changing not just the movement of talent but also the perception of opportunity. In a system that increasingly mirrors professional free agency, even those with no remaining games to play feel compelled to stay active — or visible — in the marketplace.

For now, the 137 players in question are in limbo — not eligible to return, but not quite ready to walk away. Whether their next step is a pro contract, a graduate assistant role, or simply the closure of a chapter, their presence in the portal is a reminder that in college sports, hope — and hustle — don’t always run out with eligibility.