Purdue men’s basketball star Zach Edey has been named the AP Player of the Year for the second time, but he feels that his profile and wallet could have been boosted further this season with name, image, and likeness deals. Due to him being from Canada, Edey is not legally allowed to enter into any NIL deals in the U.S. Instead, any deals he receives must be in Canada or when the team travels internationally. Edey expressed his frustration with the current laws in the U.S. and hopes for a change in the future to allow international players like himself to benefit from these opportunities. His teammate Ryan Nembhard, also from Canada, and Luka Krajnovic from Croatia, have shared similar sentiments, believing that the issue will be resolved over time.
Both Nembhard and Krajnovic have struggled to earn NIL money because of their status as international players. Despite these challenges, they remain focused on basketball and trust that the problem will be addressed in due time. Meanwhile, another Purdue player, Will Berg, who hails from Sweden, finds himself in the same situation as Edey. The current restrictions have not deterred the players from staying committed to their goals on the court as they continue to compete in the tournament. This issue highlights the struggles faced by international players in the NCAA when it comes to taking advantage of name, image, and likeness deals in the U.S.
Edey believes that the laws in the U.S. need to change to allow international players to benefit from the opportunities provided by NIL deals. He acknowledges that the legal process takes time but emphasizes the need for change in the future. Despite these limitations, the players remain focused on their performance on the court, prioritizing their basketball careers over the financial benefits that could potentially come from NIL deals. As they continue to compete in the NCAA tournament, they are hopeful that the issue will be resolved and that international players will have equal opportunities to benefit from name, image, and likeness deals.
The Purdue men’s basketball team is currently preparing for their Final Four matchup against N.C. State, and the players are focused on giving their best performance to advance to the national championship game. The restrictions on NIL deals for international players have not deterred their commitment to the team’s success on the court. The players, including Edey, Nembhard, Krajnovic, and Berg, continue to work hard and strive for success despite the challenges they face off the court. They hope for a change in the U.S. laws in the future to allow international players to take advantage of the same opportunities as their American counterparts in the NCAA.
