A group of fifteen college basketball players has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, challenging a new eligibility framework that ties a player’s right to compete to their age.
Among the plaintiffs are Filip Borovicanin and MJ Collins, who argue that the governing body’s decision infringes on the covenant of good faith and fair dealing under Ohio law.
Age‑based eligibility model
The proposal, which the NCAA’s Cabinet is set to finalize on Wednesday, would calculate an athlete’s eligibility clock from the moment they begin full‑time enrollment or after they turn nineteen, effectively replacing the previous system that relied on years of competition.
If enacted, the rule would take effect this summer and would bar current seniors who graduated high school in 2022 from participating, while allowing those still enrolled through the 2025‑26 academic year to choose between the new and old standards.
Legal and competitive stakes
The plaintiffs contend they still have a realistic chance to play in the 2026‑27 season, but only if a court grants immediate injunctive relief. They argue that the NCAA’s age‑based approach creates an arbitrary barrier that undermines the expectations of student‑athletes.
Legal experts note that the case could set a precedent for how collegiate sports govern eligibility, especially as the NCAA seeks to codify five years of competition on a permanent basis.
The lawsuit underscores a growing tension between administrative reforms and the athletes’ rights to fair treatment, a dispute that will likely continue to unfold in both courts and conference rooms.