Why college basketball athletes who have exhausted their eligibility are still choosing to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Over the past two seasons, more than 2,000 men’s college basketball players have entered the transfer portal each year, highlighting a surge in player mobility during the NIL era. However, a surprising new development has surfaced as the Tuesday night portal deadline approaches: athletes who have already exhausted their college eligibility are now submitting their names into the transfer system.

That’s right—some players, even those who have completed five full seasons, are entering the portal despite having no eligibility left.

This unexpected trend is likely tied to the anticipated outcome of the House v. NCAA antitrust lawsuit, a case that could reshape the existing rules on eligibility. If the ruling alters the traditional four-year eligibility limit, it may redefine what’s possible for both players and programs moving forward. With the decision possibly arriving within weeks, uncertainty looms over roster planning and player futures.

Given the ambiguity, some athletes appear to be using the portal as a strategic placeholder—an attempt to maintain flexibility in case the legal outcome opens new doors. Though the action is technically permissible, it currently results in additional administrative burden without any immediate benefit.

Take Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin, for example. Despite completing his full college tenure with the Tigers, he entered the portal this week. On social media, he explained that he was acting on advice aimed at preserving future opportunities—just in case the rules change.