200 Lawsuits Challenge NCAA's New Eligibility Rules as Basketball Season Begins

The 2026-27 college basketball season has started with 200 active lawsuits challenging the NCAA's eligibility rules. These legal disputes are determining whether specific players can take the court this season.

The NCAA approved a new age-based eligibility model in June. This model allows players five years of eligibility. The clock starts when an athlete turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever comes first. Players in the 2022 high school class are the primary group suing for a fifth year.

As of Thursday morning, the NCAA reported approximately 850 plaintiffs across all sports seeking eligibility for the 2026-27 season. Of those, 171 men and 30 women in basketball have received some form of court relief. The remaining players in these cases are currently ineligible.

Florida coach Todd Golden said his team is planning to play guard Denzel Aberdeen in its opener against No. 14 Miami. Aberdeen won a favorable ruling in September that allows his fifth season. The NCAA is appealing that decision. Golden stated that the team feels good about the legal argument presented.

Other coaches are dealing with similar uncertainty. Louisville women's coach Jeff Walz added forward Amiya Joyner to his roster after a favorable ruling in a Louisiana case. Walz said he will let her practice and play until told otherwise. He noted he relies on digital tools to track the status of her legal case.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order allowing a fifth season for players in the 2022 class within the state. This move prompted the NCAA to sue DeWine. The decision has impacted cases beyond Ohio's borders.

Some players face tight deadlines due to temporary restraining orders. Babacar Sane of No. 13 St. John's has a New York court order allowing him to compete only until a November 9 hearing. This grants him eligibility for just two games. Sane played in the G League and signed a training camp contract with the Utah Jazz in 2024 but never played a game.

Ven-Allen Lubin of N.C. State and Darrion Williams of Texas Tech are plaintiffs in a Texas case seeking a fifth year. They are eligible for now, but the case is scheduled for trial on December 14. Lubin said he is grateful for the opportunity and wants to take advantage of it.

Kansas added Trey Kaufman-Renn, a former Purdue player who was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft in June. He did not sign a player contract and redshirted his first college season. A preliminary injunction in his favor allows him to play.

Kansas coach Bill Self criticized the current system. He said it is hard to understand why eligibility depends on where a lawsuit is filed. He argued that if players are fighting for the same reasons, the outcome should be universal regardless of the state or county.