Utah basketball loses Noam Yaacov to ineligible ruling by NCAA
Aug 24, 2026, 7:59 PM | Updated: 8:21 pm
Oostende's Noam Yaacov, photo courtesy by Noam Yaacov.
SALT LAKE CITY — International guard Noam Yaacov has been deemed ineligible to compete by the NCAA, KSL Sports has learned, ending Utah’s efforts to get the highly regarded guard cleared for the 2026-27 season.
One of the most intriguing pieces of Utah basketball’s rebuilt roster will not make it onto the floor for the Runnin’ Utes this season.
Utah has worked extensively through the eligibility process after signing Yaacov in June but was ultimately unable to secure his clearance to compete in games.
The specific basis for the NCAA’s decision is not immediately clear.
The loss is a significant one for second-year Utah coach Alex Jensen, particularly because of the role Yaacov appeared capable of filling.
Utah’s contingency plan now comes with its own uncertainty
As the program worked through Yaacov’s eligibility situation, the staff had also been developing contingency plans for its backcourt. One of those plans eventually led Utah to veteran Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell.
Campbell should not necessarily be viewed as a direct replacement for Yaacov. Utah had multiple options available as it evaluated how to protect the roster against the possibility of losing Yaacov, and the staff ultimately identified Campbell as the best fit.
His appeal comes from a different profile: defense, experience, versatility, decision-making and a proven ability to contribute to winning basketball.
The fifth-year guard averaged 13.7 points, 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals last season at Northern Iowa while starting all 36 games. He earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and was selected to the league’s All-Defensive Team.
Campbell was particularly impressive during Northern Iowa’s postseason run.
He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after helping the sixth-seeded Panthers win four games in four days and claim the conference championship. Campbell scored 23 points and made six 3-pointers in the title-game victory over UIC, sending Northern Iowa to its first NCAA Tournament since 2016.
His college career was followed by an opportunity with the Minnesota Timberwolves during NBA Summer League in July.
Campbell’s path to Utah, however, now comes with its own eligibility uncertainty.
When Campbell committed and signed with Utah, a July 31 preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge in Colorado had granted fifth-year eligibility for athletes from the high school Class of 2022 who had exhausted four seasons of competition. That ruling opened the door for Campbell and a number of other veteran players around the country to pursue another college season.
Essentially, when Utah landed his commitment and signed him to his financial aid agreement, Campbell was an eligible prospect. But the situation changed again on Aug. 21 when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit granted the NCAA’s request to stay that injunction while its appeal continues.
The stay temporarily removed the class-wide protection those athletes had received and returned the NCAA’s previous eligibility rules to effect.
As a result, while Campbell is actually with the team, he is currently pursuing all available avenues to regain eligibility for the 2026-27 season.
Campbell becomes vital to Utah’s 2026-27 roster
Assuming Campbell is ultimately cleared, his résumé would provide Utah basketball with value amid the loss of Yaacov.
Campbell has already played four full seasons of college basketball, handled significant minutes, played both on and off the ball and defended at an all-conference level. He does not bring the same offensive ceiling or playmaking style Utah envisioned with Yaacov, but his experience would give Jensen another player capable of handling responsibility immediately.
The uncertainty surrounding both Yaacov and Campbell also places additional importance on Utah’s other guards.
TJ Burch, Lucas Langarita, Taison Chatman and Styles Clemmons could carry greater responsibility in the backcourt, particularly when it comes to replacing the ballhandling and creation Utah expected Yaacov to provide.
How Jensen ultimately distributes those responsibilities — and whether Campbell is able to secure his fifth season — now becomes one of the defining personnel questions facing Utah entering the season.
Utah is at the finish line with Fynn Schott
Utah is also continuing to work towards the finalization of the last roster addition before the season: Austrian forward Fynn Schott, who has been committed since February.
Schott actually took his official visit to Utah a couple weeks ago before returning to Austria. The 6-foot-9 international big continues to work through some final matters back home but things are nearing the finish line.
Schott may not arrive in Salt Lake City for a couple more weeks but this process is close to complete. In fact, a source indicated to KSL Sports that Schott has signed his financial aid agreements, meaning his addition should be finalized and announced soon.
What’s next for Yaacov?
Yaacov is expected to pursue another high-level basketball opportunity rather than remain at Utah unable to compete.
Possibilities include the NBA G League, his most likely scenario, or a return to professional basketball internationally, where Yaacov has already established himself as an accomplished young guard.
The Bottom Line
Utah prepared for the possibility that Noam Yaacov would not be cleared, but the solution is not yet fully settled.
Trey Campbell was the staff’s preferred pivot, bringing experience, defense and a proven college résumé to a backcourt that suddenly needs more stability. But with Campbell’s own fifth-year eligibility now uncertain following the stay of the Colorado ruling, Utah is still waiting for clarity on what its guard rotation will actually look like.
That leaves Alex Jensen with two separate eligibility situations shaping the same position group. Yaacov is out, Campbell is pursuing every available avenue to play, and the responsibility on Utah’s other guards has grown considerably.
For a roster already undergoing major change, the next few weeks could determine whether Utah enters the season with a veteran answer in Campbell or has to redistribute even more of its ballhandling and creation internally.
