Typically, the month of September on the college basketball calendar is spent counting down the days until the official start of the season and listening to the buzz coming from early practices. That’s not the case this year.
Instead of eagerly awaiting scrimmages and workouts, we have our eyes peeled for injunctions and temporary restraining orders.
There are dozens -- perhaps hundreds -- of players still in limbo when it comes to eligibility for the 2026-27 season. They essentially fall into three buckets: fifth-year seniors, international prospects and former professionals.
Players who graduated high school in 2022 have sued the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, arguing that they’re unfairly missing out on the recently enacted five-for-five rule. International prospects are facing stricter regulations on eligibility when it comes to “actual and necessary expenses.” Meanwhile, the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC have announced they won’t allow former professionals back into their leagues -- but what constitutes a professional basketball player is up for debate.
And then there is at least one player who doesn’t fall into any particular bucket, Alabama’s Aden Holloway. He, too, is in limbo with less than two months to go until Villanova and Notre Dame tip off in Italy on Nov. 1.
ESPN college basketball writers Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf go through all of the players with an unresolved eligibility situation and rank the top 25.
1. RJ Luis Jr., LSU
The last time we saw Luis in college, he won Big East Player of the Year honors and was named second-team All-American after leading St. John’s to its first outright conference championship in 40 years. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds before entering the 2025 NBA draft; he went undrafted but signed multiple NBA contracts after that. Luis committed to LSU in May, and a Louisiana judge granted him a temporary injunction in late August to suit up for the Tigers this season. LSU’s attempts to play former pros on its football team have created a dramatic legal battle between the school and the SEC -- and the ultimate ruling will apply to Luis in a couple of months as well. -- Borzello
2. Mark Mitchell, Missouri
Kentucky fans thought they had Mitchell until an SEC rule essentially forced his hand and his return to Missouri. The swing of emotions for both fanbases showcased the belief from those programs and their supporters that Mitchell (18.3 points per game) might be the missing piece for a Final Four run. Though a Kentucky judge cleared Mitchell to play a fifth season, the SEC rule against intraconference transfers outside the normal portal window in the spring put him in a difficult spot. Now he’s at Missouri, where the Tigers already have a top-25 team with a pair of five-star prospects (Jason Crowe Jr., Toni Bryant), Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller and returnee Trent Pierce. With Mitchell, this might be a national title contender. -- Medcalf
3. Keyshawn Hall, St. John’s
The 6-foot-7 standout was initially cleared to play a fifth season by a court case in Ohio; the NCAA later got a judge to reverse that ruling, jeopardizing eligibility for Hall and others. We last saw Hall leading Auburn to an NIT championship in the team’s overtime win over Tulsa in the title game. At St. John’s, Rick Pitino has a stacked roster right now. But he has a potential national champion if he can add Hall, who averaged 19.3 PPG and 7.1 rebounds per game and connected on 38% of his 3-point attempts at Auburn last season. Hall would enter the league as immediate Big East Player of the Year candidate. -- Medcalf
4. Malik Reneau, TBD
Reneau is expected to return to Miami if ultimately ruled eligible (he was granted a TRO earlier this month by an Indiana judge), and that would provide a massive boost to Jai Lucas’ frontcourt. The 6-9 forward spent his first three seasons at Indiana but transferred to the Hurricanes last season and produced a career-best campaign: 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists, earning first-team All-ACC honors. Lucas reloaded his roster in the offseason, adding transfers Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril to a team that is already bringing back two starters. A Reneau return would have Miami knocking on the door of the preseason top 10. -- Borzello
5. Aden Holloway, Alabama
In March, Holloway was removed from the team -- and the Alabama campus -- after an arrest on a felony drug charge. The details of the case suggested the third-team All-SEC guard would have a difficult path back to the Crimson Tide and college basketball. Over the summer, however, Holloway (16.8 PPG, 3.8 APG, 44% from beyond the arc) entered a pretrial diversion program after pleading guilty to a first-degree drug charge, which will give him a clean slate if he can stay out of trouble for a six-month stretch -- a period that will end just as Alabama starts official practices for next season. It’s a second chance for the talented, 6-1 guard and potentially a major boost for Nate Oats’ squad. -- Medcalf
6. Darrion Williams, Texas Tech
Williams was one of the best players in the country the last time he was in a Texas Tech uniform, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors and carrying the Red Raiders to the 2025 Elite Eight with averages of 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in their last three NCAA tournament games. He wasn’t as productive at NC State last season, dropping to 14.0 points but shooting 40.4% on 3s. Williams, who was granted a TRO in Texas, is among the trio of in-limbo players -- along with Donovan Atwell and Jamichael Stillwell -- who could turn Tech into a top-10 team if they’re eligible. -- Borzello
7. Trey Kaufmann-Renn, TBD
After putting up All-American numbers in 2024-25, Kaufman-Renn took a step back as a fifth-year senior, averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. He was still drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but is pursuing another year of eligibility. Kaufman-Renn filed a motion in late August seeking a TRO against the NCAA, which was granted Wednesday. If it doesn’t get stayed or overturned, it would give a sixth season of eligibility to Kaufman-Renn, who redshirted as a true freshman in 2021-22 because of injury. -- Borzello
8. Seth Trimble, Louisville
Pat Kelsey’s program spent millions to assemble a roster that looks like a serious ACC contender: Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga is one of the best defensive players in America; Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad averaged 15.6 points last season before a hand injury ended his season; Obinna Ekezie Jr. is a five-star prospect. And Trimble, who averaged 14.0 points at North Carolina, is the veteran guard who would stabilize a Louisville squad chasing its first Final Four appearance in more than a decade. Trimble has joined the same lawsuit in Kentucky that cleared Mitchell to play a fifth season at Missouri. If it sticks, the Cardinals will have one of the top transfer classes and also one of the best available fifth-year standouts. -- Medcalf
9. Jaxon Kohler, BYU
BYU was on the lookout for a proven big man for the majority of the offseason, searchig the portal, the overseas market, potential high school reclassifications and everything in between. But when a California judge gave a TRO to a long list of student-athletes, Kohler became available, and Kevin Young was able to beat out Kentucky and others for his commitment. Kohler had a breakout senior season at Michigan State in 2025-26, averaging 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and shooting nearly 39% from 3. BYU should have one of the elite offenses in the country if Kohler is eligible. -- Borzello
10. Quinn Ellis, St. John’s
Ellis, a 6-foot-5 guard who scored nine points in Olimpia Milano’s victory in the Italian League title game in June, has been a promising European prospect since he was teenager. It’s obvious why Pitino wants to add Ellis -- named Italy’s best player under 22 last year -- to the roster of a team that wants to cut the nets down in April. But Ellis’ move to America comes at a time when the NCAA is scrutinizing international players who competed in top leagues in Europe, especially if they were compensated beyond “actual and necessary expenses.” Ellis is one of the game’s top young Europeans prospects, but his clearance is a major question. -- Medcalf
11. Donovan Dent, LSU
The most coveted fifth-year point guard on the market secured another season through a state court case in California. He had a flurry of suitors and ultimately picked Will Wade and LSU. At UCLA last season, Dent fell short of the performance from the previous season that helped him earn Mountain West Conference Player of the Year at New Mexico in 2025, making just 25% of his 3-point attempts in 2025-26. But he also proved that he’s still one of the premier playmakers in college basketball with a 4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio and averaging 7.6 assists, both of which were third in the nation. He can be -- he might have to be -- the catalyst for the most mysterious roster in college basketball. -- Medcalf
12. RJ Godfrey, Arizona Wildcats
When Koa Peat kept his name in the NBA draft and Milan Momcilovic picked Kentucky over Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats, Arizona seemed to be a player short in the frontcourt. As a result, Godfrey’s eligibility via an injunction by a Georgia judge was welcome news in Tucson. Godfrey slots seamlessly into the vacant power forward position after averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds last season for Clemson. Lloyd wants his bigs to score in the paint and get to the free throw line. Godfrey was one of the most efficient players in the ACC at scoring in the paint and drawing fouls. -- Borzello
13. Robbie Avila, Saint Louis
Avila’s eligibility case is among the most dicey on this list, as his lawsuit against the NCAA was dismissed by a judge in Illinois earlier this month. He would have to file in a different state to continue his pursuit moving forward. Avila is reportedly enrolled at Saint Louis in case he does get another year of eligibility, and his return probably would ensure the Billikens are a top-25 team again this season. He was the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year last season and averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 41% 3-point shooting. -- Borzello
14. MJ Collins Jr., Cincinnati
When Collins was on the court for Utah State last season, the team registered 122.7 points per 100 possessions, according to Evan Miya. The 6-foot-4 wing scored 20 points in his former team’s win over Villanova in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. He will need another path to play for new Cincinnati head coach Jerrod Calhoun, his coach at Utah State, and the Bearcats -- the NCAA won a ruling that reversed an Ohio judge’s order that had initially granted Collins and others a fifth year. Calhoun has put together a roster that includes quality transfers such as Myles Colvin (Wake Forest) and Tyler Tejada (Towson). It’s a good start, but Collins would be the star of this crew in his first season. -- Medcalf
15. Denzel Aberdeen, Florida
Another potential boomerang transfer, Aberdeen was a reserve on Florida’s title-winning team in 2024-25 but had a career season in 2025-26 after transferring to Kentucky. He started 35 games, averaged 13.5 points and 3.4 assists and shot better than 36% on 3-pointers. (He also averaged 17.0 points in three games against the Gators.) Aberdeen isn’t part of any state lawsuits and hasn’t received a waiver from the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, but if eligible, probably would lock up the preseason No. 1 ranking for Florida. -- Borzello
16. BJ Edwards, Oklahoma
After the 6-foot-3 guard sustained a right ankle injury in late February, SMU collapsed. Including the matchup against Cal on Feb. 25 when he first sustained the injury, the Mustangs -- 19-8 overall and 8-6 in the ACC at that point -- lost six of their last seven games and barely earned a spot in the NCAA tournament. Edwards (12.7 PPG, 37% from beyond the arc) hopes to play for Oklahoma in a critical season for Porter Moser, who has only one NCAA tournament appearance in five seasons. Last season, SMU nearly missed the NCAA tournament after Edwards’ injury. This season, he could be the reason the Sooners play their way into consideration for a berth in the expanded field if he’s allowed to compete. -- Medcalf
17. Donovan Atwell, Texas Tech
Atwell was granted a temporary restraining order earlier this month for another year of eligibility, putting him alongside Darrion Williams and Jamichael Stillwell in the in-limbo category for Texas Tech. With all three in the fold -- and All-American JT Toppin potentially fully healthy later in the season -- Grant McCasland would have a Final Four contender. Atwell emerged as one of the elite perimeter shooters in college basketball last season, knocking down nearly 46% of his 3-pointers on more than eight attempts per game. He also averaged 13.5 points and hit six or more 3s in a game seven times. -- Borzello
18. Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
After stellar seasons by Council at Wagner and St. Bonaventure, most onlookers expected some level of impact from him last season at Kansas -- but not Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Council had an outsized role in the Jayhawks’ offense because of Darryn Peterson’s on-again, off-again availability, but he welcomed the opportunity. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists, including one of the best individual performances of the season against NC State. Council originally filed a lawsuit in the state of Kansas but voluntarily dismissed it last week before refiling in New York. -- Borzello
19. Dink Pate, Providence
Charles Bediako, who’d played in the G League before he returned to Alabama last season for a handful of games, and James Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft who played for Baylor last season, both tested the limits of NCAA eligibility for players with professional backgrounds. Since those developments, the NCAA has strengthened its stance against former pros. Pate, a former G League Ignite player who averaged 16.0 points in the G League last season, is another interesting case, albeit in a different climate. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks after going undrafted in 2025, and that official attachment to a pro team could complicate his attempt to play for Providence. -- Medcalf
20. Duke Brennan, Oklahoma
The 6-foot-10 forward is seeking a fifth year of competition at his fourth school. At every stop, he has made massive improvements, punctuated by last season’s all-Big East third-team selection at Villanova. He’s a tenacious rebounder who would give Oklahoma a better shot (still a long shot) at qualifying for an at-large bid in what might be a make-or-break year for Moser. Brennan averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. He also made 66% of his field goal attempts. He’s currently cleared to play through the California eligibility lawsuit the NCAA has vowed to fight. As of now, he’s available to play for a fifth season. Moser will need all the talent he can find to compete in a stacked SEC. -- Medcalf
21. Xaivian Lee, Gonzaga
Gonzaga completely revamped its roster via the fifth-year lawsuit market, adding Lee, Florida State transfer Chauncey Wiggins and Dayton transfer Javon Bennett over the past several weeks. Lee is the key player in the trio, especially given the July departure of projected starting point guard Mario Saint-Supery. Lee was a two-time first-team All-Ivy selection at Princeton before transferring to Florida last season, where he averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists. His perimeter shot was inconsistent, but his experience initiating offense will help Mark Few’s team. He’s currently eligible via a TRO granted by a California judge. -- Borzello
22. Jordan Pope, Texas A&M
Bucky McMillan could teach a law class this semester in College Station. Both Warren, the G League standout, and Pope, who averaged 13.1 points for a Texas team that reached the Sweet 16 last season as an 11-seed, will need a judge’s order to complete this season. Pope’s path is less complicated, as he earned clearance for a fifth season through a California eligibility case. The NCAA is playing a game of Whac-A-Mole with all of these court rulings for fifth-year players, so there is no guarantee it will win all of them. Pope, an excellent shooter who has made 37% of his 3-point attempts in his four-year career thus far, can strengthen McMillan’s push to reach the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons. -- Medcalf
23. Bryson Warren, TBD
The 6-foot-3 guard signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Knicks after going undrafted in 2024. He never played in the NBA but the NCAA is fighting against players with pro experience within an NBA organization. Warren reportedly lost his waiver request with the NCAA (in the new 5-for-5 climate, waivers are granted only under extreme circumstances) and he also was attempting to play in the SEC at Texas A&M, but the conference’s new rules ban all players who did not withdraw from an NBA draft. Warren, who averaged 21.8 points last season in the G League, will need a court ruling, it appears, to play college basketball anywhere. -- Medcalf
24. LSU’s Europeans
LSU could make up more than a quarter of this list on its own, so we’re going to group together all of the Tigers’ in-limbo Europeans. Brice Dessert, Michael Ruzic and Saliou Niang all recently retained an attorney to help in their quest for eligibility, while Marcio Santos is also in limbo. Ruzic is a 19-year-old Croatian who has played first-division basketball in Europe since 2023; Dessert is 23 with extensive top-division experience; Niang was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2025 but remained in Europe; Santos will turn 24 in November and has played internationally since 2018. -- Borzello
25. Cade Tyson, Minnesota
On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota announced that Tyson had returned for a fifth season. The 6-foot-7 wing was one of the top offensive performers of the 2025-26 season, when he averaged 19.6 points and connected on 41% of his 3-point attempts. Niko Medved won 15 games in his first season and aims to at least end 2026-27 with a plus-.500 record in his second year at a school that’s fighting to earn a place in the top half of the conference standings. Tyson, a plaintiff in the federal court case in Colorado that a judge recently overturned, still needs another path to play a fifth season. -- Medcalf
