St. John’s recruit Babacar Sane files lawsuit against NCAA over eligibility decision

Babacar Sane, a 6-foot-7 forward from Senegal, signed a verbal commitment to join Rick Pitino’s St. John’s basketball team on May 12 and subsequently began summer coursework while relocating to Queens. He is currently registered for the fall semester and has participated in team workouts. On Aug. 13 the NCAA rejected St. John’s petition for his reinstatement, stating that Sane demonstrated an “intent to professionalize,” which triggers provisional ineligibility for athletes with prior professional experience.

The university filed an appeal, but the governing body upheld the original decision. Sane responded by filing a lawsuit in Queens Supreme Court, represented by attorneys Elliot Sol Abrams and Kareem R. Vesssup. Their 55-page filing contends that the NCAA’s ruling cites no controlling bylaw, omits any discussion of Sane’s graduation plan, and leaves the precedent field blank.