Clemson basketball’s season has concluded, but Jaeden Zackery’s college career might not be over. The guard, who started every game this season and averaged 11.7 points per game, has played four years of NCAA basketball between Clemson and Boston College, plus an additional year at a junior college. However, recent NCAA eligibility rulings for former JUCO athletes might allow him to play another season, something Clemson’s staff is investigating on his behalf.
Zackery acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility, saying he has heard different interpretations of the rule. If granted another year, he expressed strong interest in returning to Clemson for the 2025-26 season. His potential eligibility stems from a legal case involving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who challenged the NCAA’s rule counting JUCO years against eligibility. A federal judge ruled in Pavia’s favor, prompting the NCAA to grant a temporary waiver for athletes who played at non-NCAA schools.
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However, a recent NCAA memo complicates Zackery’s case. It specifies that athletes who played JUCO during the “COVID year” (2020-21) are not eligible for the waiver, as they already received an extra year due to pandemic-related eligibility extensions. Since Zackery played JUCO that season, he might not qualify for an additional year.
Despite the uncertainty, Zackery plans to enter the 2025 NBA Draft and explore professional opportunities, including the possibility of playing overseas. He will consult with his family before making a final decision but remains open to returning to Clemson if eligibility rules allow.
