Eligibility Legal Battles Create Roster Chaos for College Basketball
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Pending court rulings and NCAA waivers over fifth-year eligibility and international clearance leave several top programs in limbo.
College basketball rosters are facing significant instability as the NCAA refuses to grant blanket waivers to hundreds of seniors seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the new five-for-five model, as CBS Sports first reported.
The NCAA has secured several legal victories, including a stay from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that overruled a Colorado judge's decision to grant fifth-year eligibility to the Class of 2022. CBS Sports reports that the NCAA has also secured stays in Georgia and Ohio, leaving many players awaiting the outcome of preliminary injunction hearings.
Several high-profile programs are affected by these legal battles:
* **Iowa State:** Four-year starter Tamin Lipsey is seeking a fifth year after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. CBS Sports notes that while Iowa State projects as a top-25 club without him, Lipsey's return would likely push the Cyclones into the top-15 nationally. * **Texas A&M:** Coach Bucky McMillan is awaiting preliminary injunction hearings in late September for Texas transfer Jordan Pope and shooting guard Rylan Griffen. CBS Sports reports that if both are cleared, the Aggies would likely enter the top 25 due to increased depth. * **St. John's:** The program is facing eligibility uncertainty for its starting point guard, starting forward, and two rotation players. This includes EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis, who has not been cleared due to stricter NCAA international guidelines, per CBS Sports. * **LSU:** Coach Will Wade is facing similar uncertainty regarding his roster ahead of an exhibition game against McNeese, according to CBS Sports.