Cincinnati Judge grants injunction in NCAA basketball eligibility lawsuit

Gavel sitting on gavel block. (Photo: Sasun Bughdaryan/ Unsplash)

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Wagner has issued a preliminary injunction for 24 basketball players, both girls and boys, who are suing the NCAA regarding their eligibility.

As reported by ESPN through The Associated Press, players are asserting that the new age-based model unjustly excludes them from further competition.

In his ruling, Judge Wagner stated that the NCAA rules have been applied arbitrarily and capriciously. 

Wagner's ruling allows the athletes in the lawsuit an opportunity to enter the transfer portal. He scheduled a conference for Aug. 4 to prepare for trial. 

The lawsuit in Cincinnati was filed shortly after the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a monumental change in eligibility rules last month. 

Attorney Ryan Downton from The Texas Trial Group said in a statement on behalf of the plaintiffs, "We hope the NCAA reconsiders its position and allows all other similarly situated athletes from the high school class of 2022 to compete for remaining roster spots in all sports."

The plaintiffs are seeking eligibility to play a fifth year during the upcoming season. "When each plaintiff completed their fourth season of competition during the 2025-2026 academic year, they had every reason to know it was the end of the line and time to make a way for the next generation of college athletes," the NCAA wrote in a filing. 

Athletes whose eligibility expired by spring 2026 under the traditional model, four years of competition over five years, will not be allowed a fifth year of competition under the new rules that go in effect this fall. 

The move would all but eliminate waivers or redshirt years for extended eligibility except for religious missions, pregnancy, or active-duty military service.

Injured athletes will no longer be eligible for extensions. 

The Division I Cabinet said in a statement posted on its "X" account that they were aware of the legal action challenging its decision but stood firm on not changing course.