The Ole Miss men’s basketball team is continuing to develop and jell without a player expected to play a crucial role in helping lead another campaign following the program’s second-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Ilias Kamardine, a French 21-year-old who most recently played professionally for JDA Dijon in his home country, committed to taking his talents to Oxford in late April, but has had hurdles in being cleared to compete in the collegiate ranks.
Earlier this month, Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said there were no major red flags in the way of Kamardine’s expected arrival in Oxford. During a Wednesday press conference, the Rebel frontman provided an update on the French player’s current situation, noting that things are heading in the right direction.
“[It’s] progressing well. I actually got some good news this week in terms of his academic component, his eligibility,” Beard said. “It’s a challenge, not just for us at Ole Miss, but around the country, it’s always been a challenge giving the guys I-20s so they can get their visas.”
Kamardine committed to Ole Miss in April, but the primary holdup in his ability to make the trek overseas is the ongoing delay in I-20 forms, or certificates of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status, being processed. In late May, President Donald Trump’s administration halted visa appointments for international students and exchange visitors at embassies and consular posts worldwide to update vetting procedures.
The temporary pause was lifted on June 18. However, paperwork delays have reportedly persisted, putting programs with foreign players looking to join rosters in a peculiar position. Beard said his program is not alone in suffering the unintended consequences of actions taken by elected officials.
“I’m not a political guy. I don’t know much — actually, I don’t know much at all. But I know that in today’s political climate, what’s going on in the world, these I-20s and visas at different embassies around the country, they’ve always taken a while. It’s always been a stressful time to get your players here as soon as possible,” Beard said. “We have some challenges in that way, too, but we’re no different than a lot of other teams around the country that are relying on international players.”
Regardless, Beard is optimistic that the French guard will be given the green light to participate in team activities in the near future. The coach, going into his third season, has maintained that both Ole Miss officials and Kamardine alike have fully cooperated with all compliance requirements.
“It’s going well. Ilias has done everything he’s supposed to do. It’s in other peoples’ hands now,” Beard remarked. “We hope for him to be in Oxford sooner than later. We’re hoping he gets here real soon.”
Kamardine, known for his athleticism, shot creation abilities, and 6-foot-10 wingspan, averaged 8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game with JDA Dijon. He also led France to a first-place finish in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in 2023 and was crowned MVP.
Rebel fans will have to familiarize themselves with a multitude of new faces, not just Kamardine, as star big man Malik Dia and young guard Eduardo Klafke are the only notable returners from Beard’s historic Sweet 16 squad.
Dia and Klafke are currently joined by transfer additions Corey Chest (LSU), Koren Johnson (Louisville), James Scott (Louisville), AJ Storr (Kansas), Travis Perry (Kentucky), Augusto Cassia (Butler), Kezza Giffa (High Point), and Hobert Grayson (Ouachita Baptist). Freshman newcomers Tylis Jordan, Patton Pinkins, and Niko Bundalo have also earned roster spots.
Ole Miss will begin the 2025-26 season in November.
