Why UNC's Seth Trimble is in transfer portal even with no eligibility left

Seth Trimble appeared to complete his college basketball career with the conclusion of the 2025-26 season with North Carolina.

That's what made the Monday news quite surprising: Trimble is entering the transfer portal.

The UNC guard is making a forward-thinking move, reported by On3 Sports.

There is actually a reason this makes sense, even if it seems bizarre.

MORE: How D.J. Wagner went from Kentucky to Arkansas to Maryland

Why is Seth Trimble in the transfer portal?

Trimble is planning ahead.

There are two paths here for Trimble to take, both involving the NCAA in some capacity.

On the one hand, he can appeal to try to be granted an individual extra year of eligibility.

There's also a path where the NCAA decides to approve a new five-year eligibility type of rule that has been discussed.

Seth Trimble would need an NCAA waiver or the NCAA to go to a five-year eligibility concept to play the 2026-27 season. https://t.co/VL9bkj39tN

There's a chance none of that happens, and Trimble has nothing to do.

But it makes sense for him to enter the portal while it's open, just in case.

More college basketball news:

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• Duke's Cameron Boozer is taking his time
• The transfer portal has both 7-foot-9 and 7-foot-5 available
• Andrej Stojakovic makes his transfer portal decision
• Kentucky closing in on Syracuse transfer