Key Players Seek NCAA Return After Court Ruling on Eligibility

WHO:

RealGM Basketball - Dillon Mitchell (drafted 40th by the Boston Celtics), Tyler Nickel (drafted 47th by the New York Knicks), Richie Saunders (drafted 32nd by the Memphis Grizzlies), Lajae Jones (drafted 54th by the Golden State Warriors), Braden Smith (drafted 38th by the Indiana Pacers).

CBS Sports - Donovan Dent (former UCLA guard), Jordan Pope (Texas guard), Braden Smith (Purdue All-American), Darrion Williams (NC State), Keyshawn Hall (Auburn), Malik Reneau (Miami), Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State), Skyy Clark (UCLA), Cade Tyson (Minnesota), MJ Collins (Utah State), BJ Edwards (SMU), RJ Godfrey (Clemson), Duke Brennan (Villanova), Jamichael Stillwell (UCF), Dallin Hall (Virginia), Jalen Washington (Vanderbilt), Nick Townsend (Yale), Jason Edwards (Providence), AJ Storr (Ole Miss), Dug McDaniel (Memphis).

WHAT:

RealGM Basketball - A ruling grants players from the high school class of 2022 a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.

RealGM Basketball - Five players drafted in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft are eligible to return to the NCAA for a fifth season.

CBS Sports - A judge in Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction allowing recently graduated seniors from the high school Class of 2022 to become eligible for the 2026-27 season.

CBS Sports - The NCAA is working toward an expedited appeal to overturn the injunction.

CBS Sports - Several players are suing in individual states to become eligible for another season of college basketball.

WHERE:

CBS Sports - The ruling originated from a court in Colorado.

CBS Sports - Lawsuits have been filed in Ohio and Tennessee regarding eligibility.

WHEN:

CBS Sports - The eligibility for the 2026-27 season is being discussed.

WHY:

CBS Sports - The ruling aims to provide opportunities for players affected by the NCAA's eligibility rules.

HOW:

RealGM Basketball - Players who sign an NBA contract, including two-way deals, will not be cleared to play in college next season.

CBS Sports - Players are pursuing legal action to gain eligibility for another season in college basketball.

In a significant ruling from a Colorado court, players from the high school class of 2022 have been granted a fifth year of collegiate eligibility, allowing five second-round picks from the 2026 NBA Draft to potentially return for the 2026-27 season. This decision has prompted the NCAA to work on an expedited appeal to overturn the injunction, while individual lawsuits are also being filed in states like Ohio and Tennessee to address eligibility concerns. However, players who sign NBA contracts, including two-way deals, will not be allowed to compete in college basketball next season.