A group of more than 45 student-athletes from the 2022 recruiting class has filed a lawsuit in California that seeks an injunction granting them a fifth year of eligibility.
Among the plaintiffs is former Gonzaga guard Ines Bettencourt, whose collegiate journey includes two seasons at UConn and two at Gonzaga, where she became known for her defensive intensity and playmaking.
The case and its broader ramifications
The complaint argues that the NCAA’s eligibility rules have left many athletes without a clear path to complete their collegiate careers, prompting legal action that could reshape scholarship and scholarship limits.
Bettencourt’s impact at Gonzaga was significant; she started all 33 games last season, averaging 6.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals while playing 26.2 minutes per night. Her leadership helped the Bulldogs win 18 of their next 22 games after an uneven start and capture the West Coast Conference Tournament title.
Gonzaga retained 10 of the 13 players from that championship roster and added transfers Emmy Roach and Jocelyn Medina as well as freshman Abby Lusk. Re-adding Bettencourt would give the program another experienced ball-handler and perimeter defender, potentially strengthening a squad that finished second in the WCC with a 14-4 record.
If the injunction is granted, athletes would be free to transfer to any institution of their choosing, a development that could lead to a reunion between Bettencourt and Gonzaga for the 2026-27 season, should the university decide to pursue that option.
The lawsuit underscores ongoing debates about athlete compensation, scholarship limits and the future of college sports governance, issues that could affect programs nationwide.