NCAA permits former G League player to sign with Santa Clara

In another step into the new era of college sports the first competitor to go from the G League to college basketball will suit up for the Santa Clara Broncos this fall The school on Tuesday publicized the commitment of Thierry Darlan a -foot- guard originally from the Central African Republic Darlan will have two years of eligibility after spending the past two seasons playing in the NBA s professional developmental league A product of the NBA Africa Academy Darlan initially opted for the G League over offers from Arizona Kansas and Santa Clara He played in games for the Ignite in - averaging just under five points and appeared in another games this past season for the Delaware Blue Bats where he played alongside former Bronco Jared Brownridge averaging points six rebounds and two assists Darlan earned a paycheck in the G League and is maintained to be the first such athlete to be ruled eligible by the NCAA According to reports the backdrop of college athletes being compensated by Name Image and Likeness NIL deals as well as the influx of foreign players who previously played professionally overseas influenced the decision He joins seven other newcomers on the Broncos roster and given his pedigree and the amount of turnover is likely to play a crucial role While center Cristoph Tilly ppg returns for his senior year Santa Clara must replace three of its five leading scorers from the squad that finished fourth in the WCC and earned an NIT bid in -