TRACKER: NBA's Tanking Rules Are FORCING AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson to RETURN To BYU, Kansas | NIL

This episode of Locked On Big 12 explores a seismic shift in college basketball and football recruiting, driven by NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and evolving NBA draft dynamics. The hosts, Drake Toll and Cody Stovall, examine how NBA tanking rules and the G League’s new return-to-college pathway are deterring elite players like Masamba Diop, Darren Peterson, and A.J. DeBonsa from entering the NBA draft, opting instead to stay in college for financial, developmental, and cultural reasons. They argue that the excitement of March Madness, campus life, and NIL wealth now outweigh the traditional allure of early NBA entry. The discussion pivots to Oklahoma State’s historic recruiting surge, particularly in women’s basketball, where head coach J.C. Hoyt has landed the top two transfer portal players in the nation—Audie Crooks and Liv McGill—alongside other elite talent. This transformation, fueled by donor investment, culture, and strategic NIL branding, positions Oklahoma State as a national title contender for the first time in program history. The hosts also praise the emergence of quarterback Drew Messermaker as a potential Big 12 superstar, highlighting his rare anticipation skills and development through years on the bench. The episode underscores a new era in college sports: one where institutional culture, NIL compensation, and long-term player development are reshaping athlete decisions more than ever. While the success of these strategies remains to be proven on the court, the momentum in Stillwater is undeniable. Fans now expect elite performance, and the stakes are higher than ever. The hosts conclude that Oklahoma State’s transformation is not just a recruiting coup but a cultural reset, with implications across the Big 12 and beyond. The episode ends with a call to action for fans to support the show through the Everydayer Club and to follow the unfolding story of a program on the rise.