Oklahoma State guard Kashie Natt has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing that the governing body owes him an additional year of athletic eligibility that should keep him eligible through the 2026‑27 season.
The complaint centers on what Natt describes as a five‑year eligibility clock that began when he first enrolled at Southern University‑Shreveport in August 2022, a timeline that would not expire until August 2027, well beyond the typical deadline.
The NCAA’s eligibility framework
Under a recent five‑for‑five model approved by the NCAA Division‑I Cabinet, athletes are permitted to compete for five seasons within a ten‑year window, but Natt contends the organization failed to properly evaluate his waiver request and breached its own contractual obligations.
Natt’s collegiate journey began at Southern University‑Shreveport, continued at NAIA’s LSU Alexandria, then moved to Sam Houston State, where he earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors with averages of 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds while leading the league in steals and defensive rebounds.
After transferring to Oklahoma State, the senior was removed from the roster’s online listings, leaving the Cowboys with only 13 of the 15 scholarship spots they were originally allocated.
Implications for the upcoming season
The injunction Natt seeks could allow him to rejoin the Cowboys for the forthcoming campaign, a move that would bolster a roster already missing two scholarship players. The case also raises broader questions about how the NCAA handles eligibility waivers and the enforcement of its own bylaws.
Legal experts note that the lawsuit may set a precedent for other athletes whose eligibility timelines intersect with recent rule changes, potentially reshaping how the association processes eligibility disputes.