Auburn basketball international signings threatened by new NCAA eligibility rules
Auburn's recent signings of 7-foot center Narcisse Ngoy and guard Mantas Rubštavičius could be affected by new NCAA guidelines restricting athletes who received compensation from professional leagues.
Olivia Bennett 
Auburn basketball is aggressively shaping its 2026-27 roster by tapping into the transfer portal and international markets. The Tigers have secured two major additions: 7-foot center Narcisse Ngoy from France and Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubštavičius. However, 205focus.com reports that these high-profile roster moves could be caught in the crosshairs of evolving NCAA eligibility standards.
Eligibility Hurdles on the Horizon
New NCAA guidelines are currently under scrutiny, threatening to sideline players who have previously received compensation from professional or semi-professional leagues that exceeds actual expenses. According to a report by Sports Illustrated, such athletes would be deemed ineligible for collegiate competition under the proposed rules.
The eligibility landscape remains in flux as the NCAA reviews the policy. For Auburn, the timing of these signatures is critical. Narcisse Ngoy, who signed with the program earlier this year, may avoid the fallout. The big man arrives with impressive credentials, having earned MVP honors in the France Elite 2 league while averaging 10.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. He enters the program with two years of eligibility remaining.
Status of Mantas Rubštavičius
The situation for Mantas Rubštavičius is more precarious. Having announced his commitment but not yet officially signed with Auburn, the talented guard faces uncertainty regarding whether these rules will be implemented before his paperwork is finalized. Rubštavičius brings significant experience to the table, coming off a 2023-24 campaign where he averaged 9.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for the NBL’s Breakers, followed by a stint with the 2024 Golden State Warriors summer league team.
Should these regulations be enacted ahead of the winter season, the impact will be felt far beyond the Plains. Programs including Duke, Arizona, Kansas State, and Baylor also stand to see their rosters significantly altered by the potential rule change.
