Babacar Sane, a recruit for St. John's University from Senegal, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Queens Supreme Court after being ruled ineligible for the upcoming season. Sane, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall, committed to the St. John's basketball program on May 12 and enrolled in summer classes, moving to Queens to participate in workouts. He is currently registered for the fall semester.
On August 13, the NCAA denied St. John's application for Sane's reinstatement, stating that he exhibited an 'intent to professionalize.' According to NCAA rules, players with professional experience start as provisionally ineligible for competition, and the reinstatement process is required to regain eligibility. St. John's has appealed this decision.
In a 55-page legal document submitted by Sane's attorneys, Elliot Sol Abrams and Kareem R. Vessup, it is argued that the NCAA's decision lacks a reference to any controlling bylaw, fails to address Sane's graduation plan or commitment to obtaining a degree, and does not provide case precedent in the appropriate section of the form.