Big 12 rule could hamper UA’s international recruiting
While the Big 12’s new rule banning athletes from other professional leagues will not affect current Arizona players, it could affect the Wildcats’ future recruiting.
As the rule was announced Thursday afternoon, the Big 12 said none of its schools would be allowed to put on its roster a player who had been “listed on the roster of a Professional Sports League” or “signed a contract with any Professional Sports League” to play.
Those distinctions could keep the Wildcats from adding future recruits who have already played professionally in Europe, such as current UA players Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas.
Kharchenkov signed a three-year deal with Bayern Munich before the 2024-25 season, though the contract was bought out so he could play for Arizona last season and this season. Krivas signed with Lithuanian club Zalgiris before the 2019-20 season, while the Wildcats have signed many other players from lower-level European clubs.
In response to a message seeking clarity, the Big 12 confirmed that the “policy applies to athletes who go pro post-enrollment” but did not respond when asked if professionals in Europe who have not yet been enrolled can become future recruits for Big 12 schools.
A player such as Kharchenkov would appear less likely to be cleared under the Big 12 rule as stated, since he had a full contract for a top-level German club, while players who played mostly for lower-level clubs where they might have had only living expenses covered might be cleared.
The UA women’s basketball team and several other UA sports have also been active in adding players with various international experience.