Babacar Sane Suing NCAA Over St. John’s Basketball Eligibility

Babacar Sane is hoping to gain eligibility to suit up for the St. John's Red Storm this season.

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 St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team has a chance to be one of the most talented in the country for the 2026-27 season.

However, they need some things to go their way off the court, with a few key players currently fighting to become eligible. The latest development involves Babacar Sane, who has sued the NCAA over his eligibility ruling, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post (subscription required).

The lawsuit has been filed in Queens Supreme Court after Sane was ruled ineligible. However, there seems to be some precedent set that could provide optimism to head coach Rick Pitino and Red Storm fans.

As Braziller noted, there are nearly 100 players who have been cleared to play college basketball over the last few years who have similar professional experience to Sane, who has played in four NBA summer league games in his career.

Babacar Sane suing NCAA over eligiblity ruling

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

A member of the G League Ignite, Sane does have extensive G League experience. He has played 112 games in total spanning three seasons: 72 with the Ignite, 24 with the Salt Lake City Stars and 16 with the Iowa Wolves. The 2024-25 season was the last time he played in the G League.

Sane spent the 2025-26 season playing for MHP Riesen in the German BBL and German Cup, averaging 9.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game.

Hailing from Senegal, he was hoping to become the first person in his family to attend college in the United States. He was enrolled in summer classes at St. John’s, now resides in Queens and has been participating in team workouts. Sane is already enrolled for the fall semester as well.

On Aug. 13, the Red Storm reinstatement application for Sane was denied by the NCAA, and that ruling was appealed.

Significant in Babacar Sane's case is the NCAA recently cleared two of his G League Ignite teammates. Also, Bryson Warren, who signed an Exhibit 10 like Sane, recently receive a TRO. https://t.co/A5NqoFvpDZ #sjubb

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) September 4, 2026

It will be interesting to see how things play out for Sane and St. John’s. As Braziller shared on X, the NCAA has recently cleared two of his G League Ignite teammates to play. Bryson Warren, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal previously, recently received a TRO (temporary restraining order) that made him immediately eligible.

Could a similar outcome be waiting for Sane? The Red Storm certainly hope so, because he is a major part of the team’s puzzle heading into the 2026-27 season. Alas, he is far from the only player who the team is waiting on news about.

Keshawn Hall, Reed Bailey and Quinn Ellis are all awaiting eligibility updates to get cleared to participate with the St. John’s men’s basketball team.