Will Isaac Likekele Return for Another Year of Eligibility? “That’s Too Far Ahead”

STILLWATER – I’m not sure how Isaac Likekele having one additional year of eligibility flew under the radar for as long as it did, but that’s what happened. The senior guard out of Arlington, TX has a fifth year of eligibility remaining because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The additional year of eligibility would certainly be in step with how wild Likekele’s career’s been in Stillwater. He’s played on a team with just seven scholarship players early in his career, followed up by two injury/sick stints and one season with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft last summer.

When asked about that additional year of eligibility following the 77-73 loss to TCU in Fort Worth, Likekele shared that he hasn’t really thought that far ahead yet.

“That’s too far ahead, honestly, to think about,” Likekele said. “I’m just trying to win on Saturday, the best thing for us, honestly. I’m just trying to get wins, wins, wins.”

“I don’t know,” Boynton said of Likekele possibly returning. “That kid has been through a lot in our program. That’s not a conversation we’ve had yet. Obviously, what we’ll do is try to do what’s best for him and his long-term future. If that is returning, that’ll be a conversation we have at some future date.”

An additional year of Likekele would certainly benefit the Cowboys next season, however that team is going to look. Bryce Williams will be moving on as he’s exhausted his remaining eligibility and history would tell you at least one, possibly two players will be moving on into the transfer portal. They’re bringing in at least one freshman in Quion Williams and will most likely be bringing in a few transfers this spring.

So, with all that, plus the fact that teams won’t be allowed to career more than 13 scholarship players moving forward, even if a player decides to use his additional COVID year, as well as OSU having to reduce three scholarships over the next three seasons, scholarships will be an issue at the forefront of the Likekele returning conversation.

Likekele would bring back a level of leadership and physicality that would certainly elevate next year’s team. He currently leads the team in both assists, 86, and rebounds, 133, as well as ranking third on the team in steals with 33.