Babacar Sane Files Lawsuit Against NCAA Over Eligibility Decision

Babacar Sane, an international recruit for St. John's University from Senegal, has initiated a lawsuit against the NCAA in Queens Supreme Court following a ruling that deemed him ineligible for the upcoming basketball season.

Sane, who is 6-foot-7, committed to the St. John's basketball program on May 12 and has since enrolled in summer classes and participated in workouts. He aims to be the first in his family to attend college in the United States.

The NCAA denied St. John's application for Sane's reinstatement on August 13, citing an alleged intent to professionalize. This ruling classifies players with professional experience as provisionally ineligible. St. John's is currently appealing this decision. Sane's legal team has filed a 55-page document arguing that the NCAA's decision lacks proper justification and fails to address his academic commitments.