Shaka Smart has reshaped Marquette basketball by taking a bold stance against conventional college sports practices. His approach, which discourages players from hiring agents and avoids the transfer portal, sets Marquette apart from other top programs. This strategy challenges the status quo but provides significant benefits for both the university and its athletes.
Marquette No Agents Policy Is A Zag Against The System
A Radical Stance Against Agents
In modern college basketball, nearly every high-profile player hires an agent early. Agents negotiate NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, facilitate endorsements, and manage draft preparation. However, Smart has convinced his players they don’t need agents while at Marquette.
This strategy has multiple benefits. First, it keeps NIL money within Marquette’s collective, “Be The Difference NIL,” ensuring that every scholarship player receives a deal. Since the collective’s budget is fixed, agents would only take a cut without increasing the players’ earnings. This makes Smart’s pitch appealing—players get the same amount of money but without losing a percentage to representation.
Additionally, by eliminating agents from the equation, Marquette maintains greater control over its roster. Agents often encourage players to explore better financial opportunities elsewhere, increasing transfer risks. Without agents influencing decisions, Marquette reduces the chances of losing key players to schools offering bigger NIL payouts.
Avoiding The Transfer Portal
Another unconventional strategy Smart employs is his refusal to use the transfer portal. While most top programs reload through transfers, Marquette has not signed a single Division I transfer in three years.
This decision fosters team stability and player loyalty. Instead of constantly reshuffling the roster, Smart prioritizes development. His approach rewards players who commit to Marquette, reinforcing a culture of patience and long-term growth.
Players appreciate this commitment. Forward David Joplin compared Smart’s philosophy to fishing, emphasizing that he doesn’t “throw players back in the water.” This trust encourages young athletes to stay, develop, and contribute over multiple seasons.
The long-term benefits are clear. Marquette has improved each year under Smart, reaching its first Sweet 16 in a decade and consistently ranking in the top 25.
Marquette’s NCAA Tournament Outlook
Marquette’s success under Smart is not just theoretical—it has translated to results on the court. The team enters the NCAA tournament as a projected No. 8 seed, a strong position that reflects their competitiveness. Despite facing stiff competition in the Big East, Marquette has held its own and proven capable of making a deep postseason run.
Their ranking in the Associated Press top 25 further underscores their legitimacy. Few teams can maintain consistency without transfers, but Smart’s development-first model has created a program that competes at the highest level. The NCAA tournament is unpredictable, but Marquette’s disciplined, team-oriented approach makes them a dangerous opponent.
The Power Of Internal Management
Smart’s approach works because Marquette has built an internal infrastructure to replace traditional representation. Instead of hiring agents, players can rely on Madison Dunker, the school’s NIL general manager, and the collective run by former Marquette athletes.
This setup provides players with NIL opportunities without external influence. Tyler Kolek, one of Marquette’s former stars, only hired an agent for off-the-court brand deals once he became famous enough to secure independent marketing opportunities. This case-by-case approach ensures players receive guidance when necessary while avoiding unnecessary intermediaries.
Marquette’s No Agent Policy is a Winning Formula
Despite skepticism from legal experts, Smart’s strategy benefits Marquette in multiple ways. Without agents, players are less likely to transfer. Without transfers, team chemistry and long-term development improve. And without NIL bidding wars, Marquette can maintain financial stability while still rewarding its athletes.
This approach may not work for every school, but it has turned Marquette into a competitive force. As they prepare for another NCAA tournament run, Smart’s philosophy proves that stability, trust, and developmen
t can be just as powerful as high-dollar recruiting battles. By zagging when others zig, Smart has built a program focused on loyalty, stability, and sustained success.
© Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The post Marquette No Agents Policy Is A Zag Against The System appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.