Wisevoter
Auburn

Auburn Sought Eligibility for Three Basketball Players

The university is working with the NCAA to clear Mantas Rubstavicius, Narcisse Ngoy, and Kolby King for play.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Auburn Sought Eligibility for Three Basketball Players

Live Poll

Should your local college team exhaust every possible legal option to secure player eligibility?

Auburn is coordinating with the NCAA to secure eligibility for rostered players Mantas Rubstavicius, Narcisse Ngoy, and Kolby King. The school is currently submitting requested documentation to ensure the trio can participate in the 2026-27 campaign.

Why it matters

Securing clearance is essential for the team to utilize these specific roster additions during the upcoming season. The status of Kolby King is further complicated by his ongoing participation in a lawsuit against the NCAA in Ohio.

Narcisse Ngoy, a 7-foot prospect, averaged 10.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game with 70% floor shooting in the French Elite 2 League last year. Mantas Rubstavicius, aged 24, previously played for the Golden State Warriors summer league team.

The players

Mantas Rubstavicius

He is a 24-year-old international signing who previously participated in the NBA draft process and played for the Golden State Warriors summer league team.

Narcisse Ngoy

He is a 7-foot international prospect who was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2026.

Kolby King

He is an Auburn basketball player who is currently a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NCAA in Ohio.

Steven Pearl

He is a member of the Auburn basketball program who provided public comments regarding the eligibility status of the rostered players.

The details

All three players are currently practicing with the team while the university works through the regulatory process. Should the NCAA clearance not be granted, the university administration will be forced to discuss alternative options for the season.

Timeline

  1. Rubstavicius began his professional career in 2018.

  2. Rubstavicius participated in the NBA draft process in 2024.

  3. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Narcisse Ngoy in the summer of 2026.

  4. Steven Pearl commented on the status of the players on September 28, 2026.

  5. The eligibility clearance is required for the 2026-27 campaign.

Season Trajectory

The university's current regulatory efforts against the NCAA follow the legal pattern established by the ongoing NCAA litigation involving Kolby King. This uncertainty creates a significant variable for the team's rotation and roster depth heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

The inclusion of these three players would significantly alter the team's depth, particularly given Ngoy's proven rebounding and shot-blocking output. If clearance is denied, the rotation for the 2026-27 season will rely on existing personnel rather than the anticipated international additions.

The takeaway

Navigating NCAA eligibility remains a complex hurdle for programs relying on international signings and players involved in legal disputes. Teams must balance these administrative processes with the practical demands of pre-season practice cycles.

Further reading

For more background on the team, visit the Auburn page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Gadsden Times.

Live Poll

Should your local college team exhaust every possible legal option to secure player eligibility?