Ivy League Star Delays Final Season: Eyes Transfer Portal and Degree
Former Ivy League Player of the Year, Caden Pierce, is one of the most elite talents across college basketball, so why is he sitting out for the entire 2025-2026 season? To retain his final year of eligibility, Pierce has chosen to sit out this upcoming season and pursue his degree at Princeton University. Pierce has also decided that after earning his degree, he plans to enter the transfer portal and utilize his NIL market to the best of his ability. The NIL market in the Ivy League simply cannot compete with the NIL markets of the larger conferences. We saw a couple of Pierce’s former teammates make the leap from the Ivy League to Power Five. Former Princeton guard Xaivian Lee made the jump to Florida, former Yale big man Danny Wolf made the jump to Michigan, and former Harvard star Chris Ledlum leaped to St. John’s. Pierce will likely end up playing in the Big Ten or the Big 12, where he’ll thrive under Hall of Fame head coaches, and look to join a list of former Ivy League players to get drafted to the NBA. This pause in his career gives him a chance to earn a degree from a prestigious university while also capitalizing on NIL opportunities.
What’s Next for Pierce?
With Power Five teams like Illinois already contacting Pierce, it won’t be long until the big-time offers start rolling in for the former Player of the Year. Pierce is expected to have no shortage of Power Five offers that can offer both national exposure and substantial NIL compensation incomparable to the Ivy League financials. His ability to rebound at a high level, facilitate at his size, and defend the perimeter makes him an ideal plug-and-play option for top-tier programs. The unique skill set he brings allows for blueblood and other top programs to draw interest. Pierce also provides a veteran presence, having previously competed in the historic 2023 March Madness tournament. Programs like Illinois, Michigan, and other top programs will be salivating at the chance to land Pierce’s recruitment due to his special play style.
New School Prediction?
The decision to delay his transfer allows Pierce to explore the market with patience and capitalize on roster openings after the 2025–26 season, when many programs will be reloading. It’s also a savvy financial and developmental move: rather than jumping into a new situation immediately, Pierce is betting on himself to land in the best spot possible academically, athletically, and economically. Right now, Illinois seems to be the favorite to get Pierce, and rightfully so, due to Pierce being a Chicago native. Other programs that are expected to be involved in the recruitment are Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern. This calculated pause not only demonstrates maturity but also reflects the evolving dynamics of college basketball, where elite student-athletes increasingly make business-minded decisions to shape their futures. Pierce has introduced a new strategy into college basketball that could eventually become the way student-athletes negotiate NIL and eligibility. Due to the NCAA’s strict eligibility rules, this could demonstrate a way around the harsh rules provided by the NCAA.
