On the Hardwood

Per ESPN, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney ruled in a preliminary injunction yesterday that all high school class of 2022 athletes would be eligible for a 5th season of eligibility:

In granting the preliminary injunction, Sweeney said the players “will suffer irreparable harm without” it. She did not sign on to the governing body’s argument that applying the new rule retroactively would create “roster chaos.”

Yesterday I mentioned an attorney, Darren Heitner, and he’s an attorney that represents a lot of athletes that were seeking that 5th year and even though this would seemingly cover every athlete, I don’t know that I’d trust this ruling, simply because this is to apply nation-wide, I’d probably continue seeking your own ruling as Heitner is recommending:

Should all athletes who fall within the defined class take comfort in relying on the ruling to be eligible to compete next season? NO.

Given the stakes, the NCAA will almost certainly move for a stay or seek interlocutory review of the class certification before this class definition does anyone outside the named plaintiffs any practical good. The NCAA will also appeal, and it has successfully appealed injunctions in other matters that were based on antitrust theory.

If you’re an athlete who falls within the class and wants more clarity surrounding your eligibility, then follow through with any plans you may have to litigate against the NCAA. Passive membership in what could be a temporary class may not get you through or even to the start of the season.

The orders out of the District of Colorado to grant preliminary injunctive relief and certify the class of 2022 athletes are the 1st to decide eligibility on the 5-in-5 rules on a federal antitrust theory.

On its face, this decision would cover all such athletes. It’s a… https://t.co/fQTElWeONL

— Darren Heitner (@heitner) August 1, 2026

This would seemingly allow Donovan Atwell, Darrion Williams, and Jamichael Stillwell to all be eligible for a 5th year, but I’d still be pretty cautious about celebrating. The NCAA will appeal and there will likely be chaos. I am surprised that Atwell hasn’t signed a deal with the Chicago Bulls.

College Hoops Today’s Jon Rothstein reports that USC and Texas Tech are finalizing an agreement to meet on December 13th at Dickies Arena in Ft. Worth.

On the Gridiron

ESPN has x-factors for every top 25 team:

X factor: LB John Curry

A play-anywhere linebacker, Curry has already spent a year as a starter, but in the Red Raiders’ star-studded defense, he was honorable mention all-conference in the shadow of Jacob Rodriguez, who won the Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi and Nagurski awards, and fellow linebacker Ben Roberts. Curry, a Lubbock native, flashed his immense potential in the Big 12 title game, with 10 tackles, including forcing a fumble by BYU’s LJ Martin, the league’s offensive Player of the Year. Texas Tech has preseason all-conference picks all over the field on defense, but Curry, a hybrid defender who can play linebacker or nickel in the star position, could end up being this year’s breakout star. — Wilson

The next episode of What’s Next with Robert Giovannetti and Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire: