Babacar Sane Eligibility Concerns Will Go Into St. John’s Basketball Season

Babacar Sane is eligible for the St. John's Red Storm for now.

Dec 20, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; NBA G League Ignite guard Babacar Sane (4) reacts during the first half against the Motor City Cruise at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

The 2026-27 men’s college basketball season for the St. John’s Red Storm is going to be unlike any other they have gone through under head coach Rick Pitino.

That is because the players they have on the roster for opening night may not be the same as those they have available just a few weeks into the campaign. St. John’s is awaiting eligibility rulings for a few players on the team, and one of them, Babacar Sane, won’t have an official decision until the regular season gets underway.

As shared by Zach Braziller of the New York Post on X, Sane had his hearing set for Oct. 5, but no decision was reached, with another date set for Nov. 9. This creates an awkward situation for the Red Storm to navigate.

Sane is currently eligible because of a temporary restraining order, so he has been participating in practice with the team. With a hearing now set for Nov. 9, it means Sane is going to be able to play in regular-season games out of the gate, but his eligibility for the duration of the season remains up in the air.

Babacar Sane has next hearing set for Nov. 9

Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Team ELY forward Babacar Sane (4) of the G League Ignite shoots the ball over Team BallIsLife forward Izan Almansa (33) G League Ignite during the G-League Next Up game at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

St. John’s will play three exhibition games against the Drexel Dragons, Texas Longhorns and Rutgers Scarlet Knights that Sane will presumably play in. Then, they will start the regular season on Nov. 2 against the Monmouth Hawks before playing the Iona Gaels at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8.

With a hearing set for Nov. 9, there is a possibility that Sane plays in those two games and then is deemed ineligible by the courts after that. This will be something everyone in the college basketball world keeps an eye on, with unprecedented situations unfolding in the new landscape of collegiate sports.

It would help the Red Storm to get clarity, one way or another. Having things remain in limbo during the regular season is far from an ideal situation for everyone involved.

No decision made. There will be another hearing on Nov. 9. Babacar Sane remains eligible. #sjubb

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 5, 2026

Adding to just how unprecedented a situation this is, Sane was named as one of the two captains for the team, along with Ian Jackson. If he is able to play, he is going to be a massive part of their game plan on the court.

Along with Sane, St. John’s is still awaiting the clearance of point guard Quinn Ellis and forward Keyshawn Hall. Hall has his hearing set for Oct. 6 in a Queens Supreme Court for his 5-in-5 eligibility.