Cobb County Judge Grants Injunction Allowing Basketball Players to Compete

A Cobb County judge has granted an injunction allowing 16 Division I basketball players to compete during the 2026-27 season while their legal challenge to the NCAA’s eligibility rules continues.

Legal Dispute Over Eligibility Rules

The ruling protects schools and coaches from penalties related to roster additions for the plaintiffs, who sued the NCAA in Cobb County Superior Court in July after exhausting four seasons of college eligibility. They argue they were unfairly excluded by the NCAA’s new eligibility system, which provides a continuous five-year period starting with enrollment or age, but not for those who used their final season in 2025-26.

NCAA’s New System and the Lawsuit

The NCAA adopted the new system this summer, aiming for consistency. However, the Cobb County lawsuit contends this creates an uneven playing field, denying opportunities for competition and potential earnings through NIL deals and revenue-sharing.

Players Involved

Among the players involved in the Georgia case are RJ Godfrey (formerly of Clemson and Georgia), Jamichael Stillwell (formerly of UCF), and Lamar Washington (formerly of Georgia Tech).

Broader Legal Challenges

This case joins other legal challenges to the NCAA’s transition to its new eligibility system. A federal judge in Colorado recently issued a broader preliminary injunction covering athletes from the Class of 2022 who had exhausted four seasons of eligibility. The NCAA defends its new system and plans to appeal the Colorado ruling. The underlying lawsuit in Cobb County remains pending.