Colorado judge orders NCAA to allow extra year of eligibility for 2022 graduates

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction on Friday that compels the NCAA to recognize a fifth year of eligibility for athletes who began collegiate competition in the 2022-23 season and exhausted four seasons of play by the end of the 2025-26 season. The order opens the transfer portal on Aug. 3 and will close it a week later.

The ruling coincides with the NCAA’s new “five-for-five” eligibility model, which allows athletes five seasons over five years. Prior to this decision, only a handful of lawsuits in other states had secured an extra year for individual players.

NCAA President Charlie Baker and chief legal officer Scott Bearby both criticized the injunction. > "The District Court of Colorado's decision is egregiously wrong and invites further chaos in college sports," the statement read. > "We intend to appeal the Colorado order and will seek to restore the status quo as soon as possible to protect participation opportunities for the countless student-athletes who chose where to attend school based on the understanding that the rules adopted by the NCAA's member institutions would be applied as written."

If the injunction stands, many programs could face roster and budget challenges, as most schools have already finalized lineups for the 2026-27 season. Analysts note that the impact will vary, with some teams potentially benefiting from returning veterans while others may find it difficult to accommodate additional players.

The decision also raises questions about which former seniors, including recent NBA draft picks and G-League participants, might elect to return to college basketball. Names mentioned in related lawsuits include former UCLA guard Donova Dent, former NC State forward Darrion Williams, and Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey, among others.