**Thierry Darlan: From G League Pioneer to College Basketball Trailblazer**
*Santa Clara, Calif.* — Alone in Santa Clara’s practice gym, Thierry Darlan reaches up and grabs onto the bottom of the net with two fingers of his left hand. He crosses his left leg over the right, stands with his right hand on his hip, looking comfortable and beaming as he ponders all he has endured to reach this very place.
A place where he feels at home, across the world from family but surrounded by people who have provided that same comfort and support. A place where all of college basketball is watching because Darlan is making history: he’s the first former NBA G League player to transition from the pros back to a college court—the opposite of the typical progression.
### A Unique Path to College Basketball
Darlan started school in September at age 21 after being granted two years of collegiate eligibility by the NCAA.
“My case is very different, people don’t really know the rules,” he said. “For me, playing in the G League is kind of like the NBA. Coming back to college is really unique. It has been really beneficial for me because I’ve learned so many new things, so many new rules about college basketball.”
### A Long Road Back to School
Darlan has followed his sports dream from the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal and the Basketball Africa League, to the G League Ignite and Delaware Blue Coats, and now, to the West Coast Conference playing for veteran coach Herb Sendek.
It’s a journey that would have been practically unheard of before the advent of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals that pay some student-athletes millions.
“His courage is remarkable, starting when he was a very young man leaving his home country and going to the NBA Academy,” Sendek said. “Then, as still a very young man coming to a different continent and landing not in a nurturing college environment but in the G League—going through incredible adversity there, including dislocating his ankle, having his team disbanded—he now comes onto a college campus. All this before he’s 20 years old and the pressures that accompany that journey each step along the way. And he’s remained so pure through it all. He hasn’t been jaded. He’s still full of joy and full of hope.”
### Overcoming Challenges and Embracing a New Life
If Darlan is stressed by any part of the attention he receives because of his unique situation, you wouldn’t know it. He is determined to rebuild himself at his own pace after a devastating ankle injury in February 2023.
Even all these years later, Darlan admits waking up many mornings anxious about facing another daunting day far from everything familiar.
“Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, you don’t even want to speak English, you don’t even want to think English and all those things,” said Darlan, who also speaks his native Sango from the Central African Republic and French. “You don’t have a choice, you’ve got to do it because everyone around you speaks English.”
He makes a point of saying his daily prayers in English, knowing it’s good practice. The nerves usually ease once he’s out and about on campus.
“I really love it, it’s a really amazing experience for me,” Darlan shared. “I haven’t been in class for a while, since I was in the Central African Republic, and for me going back to class is really cool.”
### Building Toward the Next Step
The 6-foot-8 guard hopes a long NBA career lies ahead on his groundbreaking path—one that other college coaches are already exploring to build rosters amid the topsy-turvy times of constant transfer-portal exits and NBA pursuits.
Louisville announced last month the addition of former G League point guard London Johnson, who will join the team during the winter, redshirting this season then playing in 2026-27.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr can’t wait to see how Darlan continues to develop. Kerr watched him three years ago in Cairo when Darlan earned MVP honors at the Basketball Without Borders camp, calling him “a hell of a talent, really talented guy.”
Darlan pulled his name out of the NBA draft pool last year to pursue his education and give himself a solid backup plan.
During the summer of 2024, Darlan averaged 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds playing for his hometown Bangui Sporting Club—both numbers good for eighth in the Basketball Africa League.
He is currently coming off the bench for the Broncos (7-1), averaging 5.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game.
### Navigating New Beginnings
Darlan has transitioned from a work visa to a visitor’s visa, and now holds a student visa.
“When you’re the first to do something, it’s extremely nerve-racking, even if there weren’t any hiccups,” said his agent, Todd Ramasar. “Every step you’re kind of holding your breath.”
While some have questioned the NCAA’s decision earlier this year to grant Darlan two years of college eligibility after his G League seasons, Sendek sees no difference between Darlan and European players who arrive at U.S. colleges following prior professional careers.
“When the outrage comes from a few players who are still young and of college age, going from the G League to college, I understand, I get it—who thought we’d be here?” Sendek said. “I don’t think people are being critical of him but it’s kind of like that last straw of, ‘What are we doing, how did we get here, and what are we going to do about it?’ So I understand that.”
### Staying Focused on Growth
Darlan remains focused on handling his daily business—whether it’s attending classes in art history and religion or slogging through heavy rain to study hall.
“I’m here to learn and progress every single day,” he said. “It’s a new experience, a new challenge, it’s way different from the G League.”
Bringing Darlan aboard hasn’t come without significant challenges, but his teammates have been supportive.
Like Chris Tadjo, Darlan’s close friend from Ivory Coast who played against him in the academy.
“Having him here is awesome,” Tadjo said, currently sidelined by a knee injury. “I kind of have family here. If I need anything, we’re always together. No matter what, he always comes to me. Even in practice, we’re laughing. It’s really a great thing to have him around. Obviously, I support him in every single thing he does. I just want the best for him. I’m super grateful for him to be here.”
As Darlan recently made his way up the stairs to study hall, teammate Jake Ensminger was on his way down.
“How are you feeling today?” Darlan inquired.
The guard from Germany quickly offered, “Don’t forget to smile, Bro.”
“I don’t forget,” Darlan replied. “I smile all day, and they all know that.”
https://abc7news.com/post/santa-claras-thierry-darlan-paves-new-path-going-nba-league-college-basketball/18242391/