A lawsuit with national ramifications
Kashie Natt, a graduate student who completed his fifth year of college basketball at Sam Houston, has filed a lawsuit in Payne County, Oklahoma, seeking a court order that would let him play another season for the Cowboys.
Natt’s career spans multiple institutions — from a junior‑college stint at Southern University‑Shreveport to a standout run at LSU‑Alexandria, where he earned NAIA Player of the Year honors and set program records for scoring and rebounding. He capped his collegiate journey with a defensive player of the year award in the Conference USA and averaged 8.2 points per game for Sam Houston in the 2025‑26 season.
Eligibility rules in flux
The suit alleges that the NCAA breached its contractual obligations by abruptly canceling a waiver that would have granted him an extra year of eligibility. Natt contends that the association’s newly adopted “5‑for‑5” legislation, which ties eligibility to junior‑college enrollment dates, should not be applied retroactively to his 2021 junior‑college start.
Legal experts note that the case intersects with the recent Diego Pavia ruling, which has already resulted in waivers for several athletes who began their careers at two‑year colleges. The complaint also names Parsa Fallah, another Oklahoma State aspirant, as a co‑plaintiff, underscoring a broader challenge to the NCAA’s eligibility calculus.
What’s at stake for college basketball
While the lawsuit does not currently place Natt on the Cowboys’ official roster, the outcome could reshape how the association evaluates waiver requests, especially for athletes whose pathways include junior‑college transfers. The case is being watched closely by coaches, administrators, and student‑athletes navigating the increasingly complex landscape of college sports eligibility.