If a substitute enters illegally, what happens once the ball becomes live?

When a substitute enters illegally and the ball becomes live, the status of that substitute is that they become a player. This means that, despite their illegal entry into the game, they are now regarded as an active participant. This situation can occur if a coach or player substitutes improperly without following the proper protocols, but once the game action resumes, the substitute is treated like any other player on the court.

In this context, the rules are designed to ensure that all players on the court are treated uniformly, regardless of the manner in which they entered the game. This reflects the consistency within the rules regarding player eligibility and participation once the ball is in play.

Other options such as removing the substitute from the game or requiring them to wait until the next timeout do not apply here, as they suggest actions that would restrict the substitute’s ability to participate after entering the game. Rather, the enforcement of penalties or violations regarding illegal substitutions happens differently than simply ejecting a player or requiring waiting periods once the ball is live.