Noah Shelby is on the move again. The former top-100 recruit has already transferred twice, with stops at Vanderbilt and Rice. Most recently, he redshirted during the 2024-25 season as a walk-on at Kansas.
Shelby has again entered the transfer portal, signaling a potential third college destination. While this decision might seem tied to playing time or performance, college basketball insiders point to NCAA roster changes that are reshaping the sport.
How Do New NCAA Rules Force Walk-Ons Like Noah Shelby Out?
Despite being one of the top shooters in the 2022 high school class, Shelby’s status with the team had become uncertain recently due to rules tied to the recent House v. NCAA settlement.
He joined the Jayhawks in 2024 as an invited walk-on and was expected to redshirt his first season. But now, he has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, as On3’s Pete Nakos first reported.
Shortly after the news broke, analyst Jason Kinander provided important context behind Shelby’s decision to transfer.
He noted, “It’s important to note that Noah Shelby was not on scholarship last season. With walk-ons being eliminated in college hoops because of the new roster rules, his spot on the team likely wasn’t guaranteed.”
It’s important to note that Noah Shelby was not on scholarship last season. With walk-ons being eliminated in college hoops because of the new roster rules, his spot on the team likely wasn’t guaranteed. https://t.co/cgijyZ1Di1
— Jason Kinander (@WIBWJason) July 7, 2025
What Changes Are Coming to College Basketball Rosters?
Shelby’s situation shows a major shift in how college basketball teams manage their rosters. Under the new NCAA rules, every player must be on a scholarship if a school agrees to the House settlement. These changes will be implemented in the 2025-26 academic year.
Previously, schools could carry large rosters with many walk-ons. For example, football teams had 85 scholarships but often kept 140-plus players. Under the new rules, football rosters are capped at 105 players total, and every player must be on scholarship.
The roster cap remains at 15 players in basketball, which matches the previous scholarship limit. However, walk-ons are being phased out unless classified as “designated student-athletes.” As a result, walk-on players like Shelby face uncertainty and are entering the transfer portal because their spots are no longer guaranteed.
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The former four-star recruit previously played at Vanderbilt and Rice, appearing in 44 games and averaging 3.9 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. A standout from Greenhill School in Texas, he remains a talented shooter with upside at the Division I level. Shelby shot 38.5% from three-point range at Rice in the 2023-24 season.
He transferred to Kansas seeking development under head coach Bill Self, but the changes in walk-on policies have made his position in Lawrence uncertain. The Jayhawks won the 2022 NCAA championship and reached the Elite Eight in 2024, making roster spots highly competitive.
He has two years of eligibility remaining, starting with the 2025-26 season. It remains to be seen which program will be his next home to continue his college basketball career through the 2026-27 season.
Several mid-major programs have already shown interest in the 6’3″ guard, who could provide immediate scoring help for teams needing perimeter shooting.
