SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Alone in Santa Clara’s practice gym, Thierry Darlan reaches up and grabs onto the bottom of the net with two left fingers. He crosses his left leg over the right and stands with right hand on 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 with 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 go from the pros to a college court, the opposite of a typical progression.

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

See Full Page