Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado issued a class-wide preliminary injunction on Friday that would grant an additional year of eligibility to athletes who completed four years of play by the conclusion of this spring and are now barred from a fifth season. The ruling affects all individuals across the United States who began collegiate sports competition in the 2022-2023 season in NCAA Division I and exhausted their eligibility under the NCAA’s previous rules.
The injunction comes amid implementation of the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model for the upcoming academic year, which will allow athletes five years to play five seasons. The transfer portal would open on Aug. 3 under the ruling, remaining open for one week. The development follows other legal challenges nationwide, including a separate case in Ohio that cleared 15 men’s basketball players to compete during the 2026-27 campaign, and ongoing age-based eligibility litigation in California involving notable players.
The ruling presents significant practical complications for college programs already building rosters for next season. Most teams have finalized their roster structures and budgets, making the sudden availability of high-profile athletes potentially difficult to accommodate. Some programs, however, could benefit from additional roster depth, such as Arizona, which could add another forward despite already assembling a competitive roster.
A major consideration involves whether drafted or summer league participants would choose to return to college rather than pursue professional opportunities. Several players have already signed NBA contracts or participated in summer league activities. Recent precedents like Baylor’s addition of former second-round pick James Nnaji and Alabama’s brief acquisition of Charles Bediako demonstrate the potential for late-season roster additions, though eligibility questions can arise.
Notable names who could theoretically become available include former UCLA guard Donova Dent, Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey, and Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen. However, players like Purdue’s Braden Smith, the NCAA’s all-time assist leader who signed with the Indiana Pacers, appear unlikely to return. NCAA president Charlie Baker released a critical statement regarding the ruling. Legal experts anticipate the NCAA will likely appeal, which could render the injunction moot pending further litigation.
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