PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

National Chinese Women’s College Basketball League - 2026-27 Season

PDF version available for download: here

ELIGIBILITY CHECK OVERVIEW (NATIONAL CHINESE WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL LEAGUE - ONLY)

Our league is built around school communities and shared cultural representation. The tournament is open to players who meet both of the following criteria:

The player is of direct Chinese heritage (at least 25% — i.e., one grandparent of 100% Chinese descent); and
The player is a current student, alumnus/alumna, or full-time faculty/staff member of the school they register with.

ALL players are required to complete this eligibility form to help ensure a fair and inclusive competition. As a nonprofit organization, SGB prioritizes privacy and data protection. All personal information submitted during the eligibility review process will remain strictly confidential and accessible only to authorized board members who have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY RULES - CHINESE COLLEGE TOURNAMENT

Team Requirements:

Each participating team must represent one school. Each school can only have one official representative team, and each player can only represent one school's team in the competition for the entire season.

Team Size Requirements:

Each team must consist of at least 5 players and no more than 15 players for Team 1.
Given that the women’s basketball event is in its development stage, there are currently no limits on the number of total players or the number of graduates on each team. Teams are encouraged to recruit as many qualified players as possible.

Player Eligibility Requirements:

The She Got Buckets (“SGB”) National Chinese Women’s College Basketball League (“College League”) is exclusively open to players who meet both of the following criteria: (i) are of Chinese heritage, and (ii) are either a current student, an alumnus, or a faculty member of a participating school.
Please see the detailed eligibility conditions below.

I. Chinese Heritage:

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify based on Chinese heritage, each player must be at least 25% Chinese (i.e., at least one grandparent must be 100% Chinese).
Players with eligibility concerns should contact SGB before the competition begins.

Verification:

Eligibility is primarily based on self-verification by the player and their team.
No pre-game verification will be conducted by SGB.

Evidence:

Use the guide below to see what evidence or information to bring on game day.
Players are not required to submit any evidence in advance.
If an eligibility challenge is raised, it is the player’s responsibility to present the required documentation on game day.
Failure to provide the documentation will result in the player being considered ineligible.

Consequences of Ineligibility:

The player will not be allowed to participate in any future She Got Buckets Collegiate League tournaments.
SGB may also impose suspensions on both the player and their team.

HOW TO SUBMIT A CHALLENGE

If you have concerns about another team’s or player’s eligibility, you may submit a challenge anytime from the pre-tournament period (after the player roster is released) until 1:00 PM on the first day of the event, or by the specific deadline indicated on the tournament website. (If the tournament start time is delayed, the challenge deadline may be adjusted accordingly.)

How to submit: Please email info@shegotbuckets.org to submit a challenge.

Chinese Heritage Evident Guideline

Note: Players are not required to submit any evidence in advance. However, if an eligibility challenge is raised, it is the player’s responsibility to present the required documentation on game day. Failure to provide the documentation will result in the player being considered ineligible.

Click to see evidence guideline:

SCENARIO 1: I currently hold, or have previously held, a Mainland China, Macao, Taiwan, or Hong Kong passport.

You must bring a photo of the first page of your current or previous Chinese passport on game day.

SCENARIO 2: One of my parents/grandparents currently hold, or have previously held, a Chinese passport, you must bring the following on game day:

(i) A photo of the first page of your parent’s or grandparent’s, current or previous Chinese passport (if eligibility is based on family)

(ii) A photo of a documentation showing your relationship to the parent or grandparent (e.g., a birth certificate, household registration document, adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents).

Note: We understand that sometimes documents related to your grandparents can be challenging. If you are unable to prepare these documents, please go back and select the "other" options.

SCENARIO 3: None of above applies

Please select the option that best describes your 25% direct Chinese heritage. You do not need to submit this material beforehand, but please have it ready if requested by the organizer on game day.

OPTION 1: My last name is a Chinese last name, reflecting my family’s history and cultural heritage.
- Please prepare a short video or written paragraph describing your Chinese cultural representation.
OPTION 2: One of my parents has a Chinese last name, reflecting my family’s history and cultural heritage.
- Please prepare a photo of a document showing your relationship to that parent (e.g., birth certificate, household registration document, adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents).
- Please prepare a short video or written paragraph describing your Chinese cultural representation.
OPTION 3: Neither I nor my parents have a Chinese last name, but an ancestor came from China and we continue to practice Chinese culture and speak Mandarin or Cantonese in our household. Mandarin/Cantonese is my native language.
- Please prepare a short video describing your Chinese cultural representation in Mandarin or Cantonese.
OPTION 4: Neither I nor my parents have a Chinese last name, but an ancestor came from China and we continue to practice Chinese culture and speak Mandarin or Cantonese in our household. Mandarin/Cantonese is the native language of one of my parents.
- Please prepare a photo of a document showing your relationship to that parent (e.g., birth certificate, household registration document, adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents).
- Please prepare a short video of your parent describing your family’s Chinese cultural representation in Mandarin or Cantonese.
OPTION 5: If none of the above options apply, or if your circumstances are complex, you may briefly explain your situation in the space provided. Please do not include any sensitive personal information. We will email you instructions on the documentation to bring for game day.

II. Academic Affiliation

To qualify based on academic affiliation, a player must be one of the following (see definition and verification process below):

A current student of the school
An alumnus/alumna of the school
A faculty member of the school

Definition and Verification Process

As a nonprofit organization, She Got Buckets (SGB) places the highest importance on protecting personal information and preventing any risk of data leakage. We are committed to using only secure, authorized methods for verifying student status, and we ensure that all submitted documents are handled with care and confidentiality. If any document contains sensitive personal details, please redact (cover or block) those details before submission.

If there are legal or privacy concerns about the use of your information for verification, please consider this as your authorization for SGB to request and process your enrollment information strictly for eligibility confirmation purposes related to league participation.

If a challenge is raised regarding the authenticity of a player’s verification documents, the player and team must fully cooperate with SGB during the verification process. This may include SGB, with the player's authorization, submitting a third-party verification request to the National Student Clearinghouse (under the category of student services/student discount) or contacting a university’s HR office to confirm faculty status (under the category of services provider). By participating in the league, all players authorize SGB to request verification of academic or employment affiliation strictly for eligibility purposes. Any refusal to cooperate or verify submitted documentation will result in the player being deemed ineligible.

I: Current Students

Definition: A "student" is defined as a full-time, part-time, or in-person exchange student who is enrolled for a full semester exclusively at the school they wish to register with. This definition excludes: (i) Summer school students; (ii) Visiting students; (iii) Course exchange students; (iv) Online exchange students

- Exchange Students: Exchange students may register with only one school per game year.
  You cannot switch between your home university and your exchange university within the same game year. Once registered with a team, the choice is final for that season.
- Transfer Students: Transfer students are also limited to one school per game year. If you have already registered with a previous school and later transfer to a new institution within the same game year, you may not change your registration to the new school. A new registration can only be submitted in the following game year.
- Summer, Visiting, and Course Exchange Students: Students enrolled in non-degree or short-term programs (e.g., summer school, visiting programs, course exchange programs, or online exchanges) are not eligible to register for the host school's team. However, we understand there may be exceptional circumstances. If you fall into this category and believe your case merits special consideration, please contact an SGB officer in advance. Your situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but SGB’s decision will be final.
Preferred Verification Method: Degree/Enrollment Verification Letter

The Degree/Enrollment Verification Letter is the safest and most direct method of verifying your student status.
Where to get it:
- Most schools allow you to download this letter directly from your student portal at no cost.
- Alternatively, you can obtain it via the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), which provides official verification services ($4.95 service fee applied).
What the letter includes: Your full name, Your enrollment status (full-time, part-time, etc.), Enrollment history, Expected graduation date. You may see a sample here (last page).
Important Privacy Notice: Do not include personal details such as passport number, tuition payment history, or social security number. If your letter contains this information, please redact it before submission.
Student Portal Instructions (Approx. 5 minutes)
- Most universities offer enrollment verification letters through their online portals. When asked for the purpose, please select: “Student services/student discount” (NOT employment) — this helps avoid the inclusion of unnecessary personal or employment-related data.
- Example: You can view sample instructions from NYU here.
National Student Clearinghouse Instructions (Approx. 5 minutes)
- Go to the NSC link here
- Click Current Enrollment > “Verify Now”
- Select “I'm submitting a verification request for myself”
- Create an account
- On the Student Information page: Enter your school name only. Do NOT include company information as this is not a employment verification (if asked, set the purpose as “Student services/student discount” only)
- You will be charged $4.95, and the verification letter will be available immediately.
Alternative Verification Method: I-20 + Student ID: SGB will also accept your I-20 form along with your Student ID as a verification method. However, please note:
- The I-20 may contain sensitive personal information, so we strongly prefer the Degree/Enrollment Verification Letter as a safer alternative.
- DO NOT email or upload your I-20. For your privacy and protection, please bring a printed copy of your I-20 and Student ID to the Zoom or in-person check-in session.

II. Alumni

Definition: An “alumnus” or “alumna” is defined as an individual who has completed a degree-granting program (undergraduate or graduate) at the university they wish to register with. You must have earned a degree from the school. The following individuals are not eligible to register as alumni: (i) Students who participated only in non-degree programs (e.g., summer school, short-term exchanges). (ii) Visiting or exchange students who did not earn a degree from the institution. (ii) Individuals who attended courses without graduating from the program

- Multiple Degree Holders: If you hold degrees from multiple universities (e.g., bachelor’s from University A, master’s from University B, Ph.D. from University C), you may choose to register with any of those institutions, using your alumni status or current student status. However, you may only register with one school per game year. Registration cannot be changed mid-season.

Preferred Verification Method: Degree Verification Letter
- This is the most secure and efficient method of verifying your alumni status.
- Where to get it:
  - Most schools allow you to download this letter by request. Unlike enrollment verification (immediately), degree verification may take a few days.
  - Alternatively, you can obtain it via the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), which provides official verification services ($19.95 service fee applied).
- What the letter includes: (i) Your full name, (ii) The institution you graduated from, (iii) Your degree earned; (iv) Major course of study (you may redact this information; (v) Dates of attendance.
- Important Privacy Note: Please ensure the letter does not include sensitive personal information such as passport numbers, social security numbers, or financial records. If such information appears, redact it before submission.
School Portal Instructions (may take multiple days)
- Most universities offer degree verification letters by request. When asked for the purpose, please select: “Student services/student discount” (NOT employment) — this helps avoid the inclusion of unnecessary personal or employment-related data. Please ensure the letter does not include sensitive personal information such as passport numbers, social security numbers, or financial records. If such information appears, redact it before submission.
- Example: You can view sample instructions from NYU here.
National Student Clearinghouse Instructions (Approx. 5 minutes)
- Go to the NSC link here
- Click Degree > “Verify Now”
- Select “I'm submitting a verification request for myself”
- Create an account
- On the Student Information page: Enter your school name only. Do NOT include company information as this is not an employment verification (if asked, set the purpose as “Student services/student discount” only)
- You will be charged $19.95, and the verification letter will be available immediately.
Alternative Verification Method:
- Diploma Certificate: SGB will also accept your Degree Certificate as a verification method. However, please note: Your Diploma Certificate may contain sensitive personal information, so we strongly prefer the Degree/Enrollment Verification Letter as a safer alternative. DO NOT email or upload your Diploma Certificate. For your privacy and protection, please bring a printed copy of your Diploma Certificate and Student ID to the Zoom or in-person check-in session.
- I-20: SGB will also accept your I-20 form as a verification method. However, please note: The I-20 may contain sensitive personal information, so we strongly prefer the Degree/Enrollment Verification Letter as a safer alternative. DO NOT email or upload your I-20. For your privacy and protection, please bring a printed copy of your I-20 and Student ID to the Zoom or in-person check-in session.

III. Faculty

Definition: For the purposes of this event, “Faculty” refers to individuals who are permanent employees or postdoctoral researchers of a recognized university or research institution. Contractors, subcontractors, visiting scholars without employee status, and other temporary appointees do not qualify under the Faculty category.

Preferred Verification Method: Employment Verification Letter issued by your institution:

This is the most secure and efficient method of verifying your employment status.
Guidance for EVL: The EVL should contain the minimum information necessary, similar to letters often used for shopping discounts or service approvals.
The letter should include only: Full legal name of the individual; a simple confirmation line such as “[Name] is a full-time employee of [Institution]”; Date of issue; Contact information of the HR department or issuing office (e.g., phone number or email).
NO position title, salary, ID number, or other personal information should be included.
The EVL must be signed and dated by the HR department, faculty affairs office, or an equivalent authorized office, and provided on institutional letterhead.
The organizing committee reserves the right to request additional clarification from the institution if the EVL does not meet the minimum requirements.

Notes

If players have any questions regarding their eligibility, please contact us in advance to avoid disqualification on the competition day.
The following are ineligible:
- Students in non-degree programs such as summer schools.
- Staff in temporary, non-permanent positions, such as short-term interns.
The organizers prioritize the privacy and protection of players' personal information, and all submitted documents will be securely managed and protected.
If a player qualifies for multiple teams, they may choose one team to represent. However, they cannot represent multiple schools in the same academic year (season).
No wild card teams are allowed. For exceptional situations, refer to the special rules.
Second Team players should be ranked outside of the team's top 7 core players.
In case of disputes, She Got Buckets reserves the final interpretation of the competition rules.

Special Rules: Tentative Joint Team for College Conferences

To support the sustainable development of individual college teams while maintaining competitive fairness, the She Got Buckets College League generally does not permit joint teams or teams composed of players from multiple schools. However, under limited circumstances, one joint team may be invited to participate in a College Conference competition in Division 1. Such participation is an exception to the standard team eligibility rules and is subject to the specific requirements below:

Eligibility Conditions:
- A joint team may be permitted if fewer than 5 teams register for a particular College Conference, ensuring the tournament can proceed successfully.
- Joint teams are only allowed in College Conferences; they are not permitted in the national tournament.
Participation Restrictions:
- Results from the invitational do not contribute to team points or rankings, and regardless of performance, joint teams are not eligible to advance to the national tournament.
Team Composition:
- Joint team players must come from no more than 3 different schools.
- Each school may contribute no more than 4 players to the joint team.
- All players must meet the league’s eligibility requirements.
Registration Process:
- Interested joint teams must submit a registration form and join the waitlist.
- After the registration deadline, if the conditions for allowing a joint team are met, the first team on the waitlist will be granted eligibility to participate.

ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROCESS

Step 1: All players must complete the eligibility form (linked above) and upload required verification documents. (Returning players may be exempt from this step in FUTURE seasons.)
Step 2: After review, you will receive an email with one of the following statuses: Approved / Pending / Needs Action (additional documentation required) / Denied.
Step 3: If clarification is needed, SGB will follow up via email or schedule a short eligibility verification meeting/interview.
Step 4: Only players with Approved status may participate in the tournament.
Step 5: SGB will release the preliminary rosters at least 7 days prior to the tournament.
Teams or players may email info@shegotbuckets.org to submit eligibility challenges anonymously, along with any supporting evidence. Challenges will not be accepted within 48 hours prior to the tournament start.
Step 6: If a challenge is filed, SGB’s Independent Risk Lead will review the case.
- For school affiliation, SGB may verify through the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) records or school HR.
- For heritage eligibility, players will be asked to provide appropriate supporting documentation.
By submitting this eligibility form, you agree to cooperate fully with any investigation if a challenge is raised.

Failure to cooperate will result in disqualification.

SGB College Conferences Division II Eligibility Rules

Purpose and Guiding Principles

The purpose of Division II is to provide meaningful playing opportunities for developing players and players who are not part of the regular Division I rotation.

These rules are designed around two priorities: maximizing participation and protecting competitive fairness. Division II rules should remain flexible enough to allow teams and players to participate whenever reasonably possible, while preventing teams from using established Division I-level players to gain an unfair competitive advantage.

The system is based primarily on good-faith roster selection by teams, with SGB oversight and review when necessary. Eligibility rules are intended to prevent clear abuse, not to unnecessarily restrict participation.

1. D2-Only Teams

Teams participating only in Division II, and not in Division I, are not subject to the D1/D2 roster restrictions described below.

However, SGB reserves the right to review individual players or team rosters if there is clear evidence that a player’s current level is substantially above the intended competitive level of Division II.

2. Teams Participating in Both D1 and D2

Any school participating in both Division I and Division II must submit a list of seven D1 players who are ineligible to participate in D2.

These seven players should represent the team’s primary D1 starters and/or regular rotation players.

SGB may use Division I playing time to verify whether a team’s submitted list reasonably reflects its actual rotation. As a general guideline, players averaging approximately 20 or more minutes per competitive D1 game would normally be expected to be part of a team’s primary D1 rotation.

Games decided by a final margin of 20 points or more may be excluded from average-minutes calculations, as those games may not accurately reflect a team’s normal rotation.

Playing time is intended as a review and verification tool, not as an automatic eligibility cutoff.

3. D2 Player Eligibility

Division II is intended primarily for developing players and players who are not currently at the average regular D1 level.

Eligibility should be based on a player’s current competitive level and recent playing role, rather than school affiliation alone.

Players who are currently, or were recently, regular D1 starters or significant rotation players at any school are generally presumed ineligible for D2.

A player who was previously a D1 starter or major rotation player, but whose current level is no longer considered appropriate for the current average D1 level, may request an individual eligibility review by SGB.

The same principle applies to players who transfer schools, attend graduate school, work at another institution, or otherwise have affiliations with multiple schools. Previous D1 experience at another institution may be considered during eligibility review.

If an entire team stops participating in D1 and enters D2 as a team, former D1 starter status alone does not automatically make those players ineligible for D2.

Players from schools without a D1 or D2 team, as well as high school players, are also subject to the general D2 competitive-level standard. A player who is clearly above the intended D2 level may be ruled ineligible by SGB.

4. Free Agent Pool

SGB will maintain an official D2 Free Agent Pool to help increase participation and allow more players to compete.

Eligible high school players, players from schools without a D1 or D2 team, and other players approved for D2 participation may join the Free Agent Pool.

If the Free Agent Pool reaches five or more players, those players may form a combined D2 team.

If the pool has fewer than five players, individual free agents may join an existing D2 team that has fewer than seven available players.

5. Review, Reporting, and Penalties

Teams are expected to follow these rules in good faith.

If a player or roster is reported for a potential eligibility violation, SGB will review the situation using relevant information, which may include D1 playing time, recent role, game performance, roster history, and other available evidence.

If SGB determines that a team intentionally misrepresented its D1/D2 roster or deliberately used ineligible players to gain a competitive advantage, the team may be suspended from Division II participation for one or more seasons, depending on the severity and circumstances of the violation.

The goal of enforcement is to address clear abuse while preserving as many legitimate playing opportunities as possible.

Page updated

Report abuse