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Marreese Speights, a former NBA player who won a title with the Golden State Warriors and a national championship with the Florida Gators, mocked basketball players trying to return to school Wednesday.
Speights, 38, facetiously announced he was returning to the Gators nearly 20 years after leaving school to pursue a professional career. He played two years in Florida before joining the NBA in 2008.
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Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights reacts after being called for a foul against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on March 9, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 115-94. (Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports)
“After 18 seasons, I will be returning to Florida with two years left,” he wrote on X along with a photo of himself in a Gators uniform. “Man, after having a great conversation with @CoachToddGolden, I’m excited to be back and have the opportunity to play for the Florida Gators again.
“After a long NBA career, with the new rules in place, I will be back on the court for the next two years.”
Speights was clearly making fun of former college basketball players trying to return to school after making G League rosters.
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Orlando Magic forward Marreese Speights reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on February 8, 2018. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)
LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade is reportedly recruiting former G League player and St. John’s Red Storm star RJ Luis. The move is expected to accompany a petition to the NCAA to reinstate Luis’ eligibility. Luis played three seasons in college before signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and then trading him to the Boston Celtics.
He never played in the NBA or the G League.
The NCAA has already granted eligibility to international students who have played professionally overseas. However, last season the NCAA denied former G League player Charles Bediako’s attempt to resume his college career at Alabama.
St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. and guard Kadary Richmond sit on the bench during the second half of an NCAA tournament second-round game against Arkansas at Amica Mutual Pavilion on March 22, 2025. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Bediako filed a lawsuit to restore his eligibility and was able to play five games for the Crimson Tide while a temporary restraining order was in effect. However, he was barred from finishing the season when a judge denied his request for an injunction.
Nigerian center James Nnaji, who was an NBA draft pick, was granted four years of NCAA eligibility last year. He never appeared in an NBA game because his draft rights were traded. He played for FC Barcelona in Liga ACB in Spain. They separated last August.
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“As schools increasingly recruit individuals with experience in international leagues, the NCAA exercises its discretion in enforcing actual and necessary spending regulations to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in U.S. basketball leagues are not disadvantaged compared to their international counterparts,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement at the time. “The rules have long allowed schools to register and play individuals without prior collegiate experience mid-year.”
