NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Marreese Speights, a former NBA player who won a title with the Golden State Warriors and a national championship with the Florida Gators, poked fun at basketball players trying to return to school Wednesday.
Speights, 38, facetiously announced he would return to the Gators nearly 20 years after leaving school to pursue a professional career. He played two years at Florida before declaring for the NBA in 2008.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights reacts after being called for a foul against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., March 9, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 115-94. (Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports)
“After 18 seasons I’m returning to Florida with two years left to play,” he wrote on X with a photo of himself in a Gators uniform. “Man, after having a great conversation with @CoachToddGolden, I’m excited to be back and have the opportunity to play again for the Florida Gators.
“After a long NBA career, with the new rules in place, I will be back on the court for the next two years.”
Speights was clearly poking fun at former college basketball players trying to return to school after being on the G League roster.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Orlando Magic forward Marreese Speights reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 8, 2018. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)
LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade was reportedly in the process of signing the former G League player and St. John’s Red Storm star RJ Luis. The move is expected to accompany a petition to the NCAA to restore Luis’ eligibility. Luis played three seasons in college before signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and later being traded to the Boston Celtics.
He has never played in the NBA or the G League.
The NCAA has previously granted eligibility to international students who have played professionally overseas. However, the NCAA last season rejected former G League player Charles Bediako’s attempt to resume his college career at Alabama.
St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. and guard Kadary Richmond sit on the bench during the second half of a second-round NCAA Tournament game against Arkansas at Amica Mutual Pavilion on March 22, 2025. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photos)
Bediako sued to have his eligibility restored and was able to play five games for the Crimson Tide while a temporary restraining order was in effect. However, he was banned from finishing the season when a referee rejected his request for a ban.
Nigerian center James Nnaji, an NBA draft pick, earned four years of NCAA eligibility last year. He never appeared in an NBA game when his draft rights were traded. He played for FC Barcelona in Liga ACB in Spain. They mutually separated last August.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“As schools increasingly recruit individuals with international league experience, the NCAA exercises discretion in applying the actual and necessary expense statutes to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in United States basketball leagues are not disadvantaged compared to their international counterparts,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement at the time. “Rules have long allowed schools to sign up and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience in the middle of the year.”
