College basketball has been in scramble mode since the NCAA implemented its new five-for-five eligibility rules. Former college players who should be moving on to the next level or finding their first professional opportunity are now looking for a way to get one more year of college basketball.
With NIL, it can be very lucrative for fifth-year players to attempt a return to college rather than playing in the G League or overseas. College programs can pay significantly more than most professional leagues outside of the NBA and EuroLeague, leading players to take their eligibility battles to court in an attempt to take advantage of what they see as the NCAA’s soft enforcement.
Former Illinois basketball player Tre White is one of the many former college athletes looking to win a court case and return to college. White recently received a temporary restraining order (TRO) and is currently eligible to play this season. He played for the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League before deciding he wanted to return to college for one more year.
White played extremely well in the NBA Summer League for the Heat, averaging 17.3 points per game over four games. He shot an impressive 40% from three-point range while also averaging 5.8 rebounds per game.
White had the best season of his college career last year at Kansas, averaging career highs of 13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Kansas was his fourth school in four years, but he made a major impact for the Jayhawks. Kansas earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost in the Round of 32 to the No. 5 seed St. John’s Red Storm. White scored just four points in that game and will look to bounce back from that performance during the 2026-27 season.
Illinois had White for one season, but it did not go as well as it did for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. White played just 23.4 minutes per game during his season in Champaign, the lowest average of any college season of his career. He averaged double figures but shot just 32.9% from beyond the arc. White was a good player overall for Illinois, but he did not seem to reach his full potential during his time in Champaign.
White was a former four-star recruit who originally committed to USC and earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honors during his freshman season. He played for Louisville and Illinois following his time in Southern California before eventually landing at Kansas.
It remains unclear whether White will be able to suit up for Kansas this season, but as of now, he is allowed to play. Kansas instantly becomes a top-25 team and a threat to compete for a Big 12 title with White’s return. He should be one of the best players in the conference and could help lead the Jayhawks to another top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament this March.
