The Eligibility Landscape
A recent ruling by a U.S. District Court in Colorado has opened a narrow window for athletes who entered college in the 2022‑23 academic year to claim an additional season of eligibility, a decision that has sparked a legal showdown with the NCAA.
Reed Bailey, who completed four years at Indiana before moving to St. John's, will now embark on what he calls his fifth and final collegiate campaign, taking the court for the Red Storm in the upcoming season.
During his tenure at IU he appeared in every game of the 2025‑26 schedule, starting ten times and posting averages of 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting a crisp 57 percent from the floor.
Implications for the 2026 Season
His teammate, center Sam Alexis, has announced plans to also remain for a fifth year at Indiana, underscoring a rare convergence of veteran talent poised to shape the next chapter of college basketball.
The NCAA, however, is pressing its appeal, arguing that the injunction threatens the integrity of eligibility rules and could reshape scholarship calculations for the 2026‑27 season and beyond.
If the court’s decision stands, the class of 2022 could collectively benefit from an extra year, potentially altering roster dynamics, scholarship allocations and the competitive balance across Division I programs.
Coaches and administrators are watching closely, aware that the outcome may set a precedent that reverberates through recruiting strategies and conference realignments.