Babacar Sané Remains Hopeful Amidst “Frustrating” Situation

It has been a complicated process for St. John’s Red Storm men's basketball star Babacar Sané.

He signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Utah Jazz, but did not play in an NBA game, as the NCAA claims that he is ineligible to play college basketball. This argument led to Sané filing suit against the NCAA. He hopes that he could be eligible to play college basketball despite signing that contract with the Jazz.

He is set for a November 9 court date in Queens Supreme Court to see whether he’ll be eligible to play for the Red Storm this upcoming season.

This whole process has been tough for Sané, who hopes for the opportunity to play college basketball despite originally being ruled ineligible by the NCAA.

Babacar Sane speaks out on eligiblity case

NBA G League Ignite guard Babacar Sane (4) reacts during the first half against the Motor City Cruise. — 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

“It’s a little bit frustrating, you know,” Sané said, via Adam Zagoria of NJ.com. “Especially, I love it here since the day I got here. Amazing people, I just love the staff, everybody, the players.”

Sané is allowed to play for the time being because of a temporary restraining order, which has given him time to fall in love with St. John’s and the program. Yet, with the season just a few weeks away, there is a lot out of his control.

“I’m not really into focusing about what’s going on in the court,” Sané said, “I’m focusing on getting better every day, how can I help?”

While he’s trying to keep his focus on the game of basketball itself, he knows he has his court date looming, and there is a lot on the line.

The steal ➡️ the score 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pJ3KHknhK5
— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) October 14, 2026

“But I know I gotta go back to court next month, but I’m praying every night that everything’s gonna turn out to be good for me,” Sané said.

While all of this is going on with the courts and his eligibility being up in the air, Sané is doing his best to focus on his play and working hard for the season, despite his legal clearance to play this season being unknown.

He’s trying to stay positive amidst a complicated situation, a situation that many players across the country are also in.

Florida basketball coach Todd Golden spoke about how he believes the NCAA is creating “chaos” with so many players.

Babacar Sane vs DR Congo

17 points
3 rebounds
7/13 FG
3/9 3PT

The Johnnies forward in a bench role for Senegal is leaving a mark in the World Cup Qualifiers. Making an impact on both ends of the floor. Excited to see him in a extended role as SJU starting PF. #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/XdUWx024AP
— Matthew LoPuzzo (@matthewlopuzzo) July 6, 2026

“I truly just believe that the Class of ’22 athletes deserve to play, especially at this point with everybody starting school,” Golden said via ESPN. “Everybody is in the middle of their semesters. There are not guys or girls just hanging out there waiting to see if [the Colorado federal case] wins to jump back and reenroll and play. We’re long past that conversation that was taking place in May and June. And so at this point, the NCAA is trying to argue that they’re trying to prevent chaos, but they’re really causing it.”

Sané is able to play in the Red Storm’s first two regular season games, on November 2 vs. Monmouth and November 8 vs. Iona, since they take place prior to the November 9 court hearing.

Sané is doing his best to focus on basketball itself and being ready for the season, despite this court hearing hovering over him. He’s doing his best to remain optimistic, keeping his focus on getting better and helping the team.

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