Noam Yaacov’s unique path to Utah remains on track
Jun 9, 2026, 12:03 AM | Updated: 5:28 pm
Oostende's Noam Yaacov, photo courtesy by Noam Yaacov.
SALT LAKE CITY — Noam Yaacov’s path to Utah was always going to come with a different timeline. That has not changed the expectation.
Yaacov, the 6-foot-1 Israeli point guard committed to Utah, remains an auto-eligible prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft while continuing to compete professionally with Filou Oostende. But according to sources, Yaacov is still expected to join the Runnin’ Utes program.
“Everything is still as planned,” a source told KSL Sports Monday night, who also indicated that communication between Utah, Yaacov and his camp continues daily.
Yaacov’s situation is not the same as a typical college player testing the NBA Draft waters. Because of his age and international professional background, he is automatically eligible for this year’s draft process. And because he is an auto-eligible draft prospect, he does not have to declare for or withdraw from the draft.
So, the NBA Draft piece will remain the obvious variable but not quite what Utah fans might think.
According to a source from the NBA-side, the current belief is that unless Yaacov receives a guaranteed 15-man roster spot, which, even mid-1st round picks aren’t guaranteed, Yaacov is expected to be at Utah next season. Currently, Yaacov is viewed as a late-second round draft prospect. And so, even if Yaacov is drafted, there is a path, and even a likelihood that he will still end up in Salt Lake City.
That also means there is a chance this process will extend beyond the draft, which means patience is abundantly important for Utah fans.
A different kind of Utah recruit
Utah entered the recruitment understanding that reality, and their belief in Yaacov as a difference maker is why they’ve pursued him as heavily as they have.
Yaacov is not a traditional incoming incoming player, in fact, his eligibility still has to be determined.
The staff knew Yaacov’s draft status would remain part of the process. For Utah, the key point is that the plan remains intact and communication is constant.
What about the 15-man roster limit?
Another worry for fans is the NCAA roster limit. According to NCAA rules, the limit for men’s basketball is 15. Currently, Utah lists 14 players on it’s official roster and, according to a source, big man Fynn Schott is expected to join the program relatively soon.
First, Utah having all but one roster spot officially locked in at this point in the calendar is a big improvement compared to recent off-seasons.
Second, do not be concerned with the roster limit and it potentially impacting Yaacov, it is not a concern, and the current roster is not indicative of anything pertaining to Yaacov.
Third, according to NCAA rules, programs can actually designate up to two student athletes who do not count against the roster cap. The NCAA considers a “Designated Student-Athlete” a player “who a member institution attests was or would have been removed from the institution’s 2025-26 roster due to the implementation of roster limits.” To be included on the roster but not count toward the limit, the Designated Student-Athlete must have remaining eligibility and cannot receive any “aid and/or settlement-related benefits.”
Utah’s Grayson Gaddis holds this designation and does not count against the roster limits. Meaning, Utah’s roster currently sits at 13 spots and will be at 15 with Schott & Yaacov.
Why his Oostende run matters
The fact that Yaacov is still competing with Filou Oostende should not be viewed as a negative development for Utah. He has already played meaningful professional basketball overseas, including with Oostende in the BNXT League. That includes a 34-point, seven rebound, and six assist performance in the BNXT playoffs on Saturday, and Yaacov will lead his squad in a final game for the championship on Thursday.
Instead of spending the spring in a typical offseason environment, Yaacov has continued to play meaningful basketball. That means more live reps, more late-season pressure and more chances to sharpen his game before making the move to college basketball.
There is always some adjustment when an international guard transitions into the college game. The spacing is different. The officiating can be different. The week-to-week scouting in the Big 12 is demanding. The physicality is real..
He has already been asked to run a team, manage possessions and produce against older players. That background gives Utah a more seasoned option at point guard than his class designation might suggest.
The Bottom Line
Noam Yaacov’s situation comes with more layers than a typical Utah basketball addition, but the central point remains the same: the belief, the expectation, the plan has not changed.
His NBA Draft eligibility is real. His potential to be drafted is real. His continued run with Oostende is real. But none of that has altered the plan, according to sources. Unless an NBA team is willing to give Yaacov a concrete roster opportunity, Utah remains positioned to add a mature, skilled and battle-tested point guard to Alex Jensen’s first roster.
For Utah fans, patience is the right approach, as difficult as that might be. This was never going to follow a traditional recruiting timeline. But if everything continues as planned, the Utes are still on track to bring in one of the more intriguing international guards in college basketball next season.
