The Ole Miss basketball roster and coaching staff, in recent weeks, have dedicated a lot of time to engaging in team-building activities. Social media footage of players working out at different spots in Oxford, soaking up the summer sun in a swimming pool, and practicing. But there has been one glaringly missing piece to the puzzle — the presence of Ilias Kamardine.
Kamardine, a French 21-year-old who most recently played professionally for JDA Dijon in his home country, has yet to make it to the Magnolia State. Rebel head coach Chris Beard acknowledged Kamardine’s absence on Tuesday, noting that both the university and the player are working diligently to meet all remaining eligibility requirements.
Beard also cited ongoing delays with the processing of I-20 forms, or certificates of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status, as one of the roadblocks hindering the arrival of Kamardine. 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.
“We continue to go through the process, both with the NCAA and also with eligibility, but I think everything’s moving in the right direction,” Beard told the media, later adding. “It’s not breaking news right now, but the I-20s, with everything going on in the world right now, we’re optimistic, but I think it’s safe to say these things have been slowed down a little bit.”
Nonetheless, Beard is optimistic that any current visa-related or compliance issues will be remedied “sooner than later,” allowing Kamardine to join his new teammates and coaches ahead of the November tip-off to the 2026-27 campaign.
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“We see no red flags along the way,” Beard said. “We’re doing exactly what’s asked of us. Ilias is doing everything asked of him, so we look forward to him joining the team sooner than later.”
As for the basketball side of things, the Ole Miss frontman is aware that Kamardine will have to make up some ground to learn a new system and adjust to a new collection of court colleagues. Beard suggested that an all-hands-on-deck approach will be executed by Ole Miss coaches and players to have Kamardine quickly acclimate to how the team has been gelling in the offseason.
“When he gets here, it will be a catch-up curb, but with his experience in basketball, I’m optimistic that we can catch him up quickly,” Beard added. “It will be a real team effort, too, with his teammates. We’ll have to contribute to making sure that he’s up to speed, but everything’s looking good in the process. I wish it moved a lot faster, but as you guys know, anything dealing with this kind of stuff kind of works at a snail’s pace.”
At this time, there is no specific timetable for Kamardine’s arrival. With time constraints potentially posing concerns about team chemistry, Beard is leaning on the fact that the 6-foot-5 French guard has been successful at a high level.
The European hooper, 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.
“We feel the urgency, but we’re also doing everything we’re asked to do to get him here as soon as we can,” Beard said.
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.
