As expected, yesterday marked a landmark rule change in the NCAA, with the D1 cabinet approving the age-based eligibility model. In their approval, it was not retroactive, meaning that the players who had their eligibility expire this year will not have this rule applied to them, so naturally, as with everything in the NCAAA right now, lawsuits were the next step.
The Rule:
Every player has 5 years of eligibility, assuming they enroll in college no later than the academic year following their 19th birthday. The new ruling completely eliminates the redshirt rules, waivers, and sport-specific eligibility requirements.
Of note: The Cabinet defined the exceptions that could delay or pause an individual’s period of eligibility under the age-based rules, which include pregnancy, active-duty military service and official religious missions. These exceptions will only be available if the student-athlete does not participate in organized competition for the duration of the exception.
The Rule change will be effective for all players initially enrolling in college for 2027 fall or later. This fall, players will be able to apply either the old model or the age-based-model, whichever is most beneficial.
Here’s the full release from the NCAA.
Right now, there are 4 key players from Xavier and Cincinnati who are involved in the lawsuit on June 25th to gain a year of eligibility back after their clocks expired in 2025-26.
The Players:
In the first lawsuit that was filed in Ohio on Wednesday morning, 4 players with local intrigue were mentioned. MJ Collins was mentioned as heading to Cincinnati if their injunction was approved. Filip Borovicanin was mentioned and would be returning to Xavier, while Maik Messina-Moore (Xavier), and Kolby King (Utah State) were also mentioned in the suit, and while I’d expect to see Malik go elsewhere next year, I think King has a good shot to end up as a Bearcat.
MJ Collins:
He played 4 years of college basketball, his first 2 at Virginia Tech, his 3rd at Vanderbilt and his 4th year at Utah State. He was second team All-MWC last year and averaged 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. He shot 36% from deep, 81% from the free throw line, and averaged a steal per game. He turned it over 1 time per game, and committed just 1.5 fouls per game, both of which are excellent. The Bearcats are already projected as a tournament team this year, but adding MJ would elevate the team to a second weekend caliber roster. We’ll have a lot more coming as this plays out for MJ!
Kolby King
Kolby has been a bit of a journeyman, starting his career at St. John’s before making stops at Tulane and Butler and finally ending up at Utah State last year. He averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists last year. He added in a steal and took excellent care of the basketball, averaging just under a turnover per game. He was also able to play defense well without fouling (just 1.4 fouls per game). I’d think that King will follow Coach Calhoun to Cincinnati as well, but nothing is confirmed there yet.
Filip Borovicanin
Xavier fans likely remember just how much of a rollercoaster Filip’s performances were last year, from the buzzer beater against Depaul to just walking up and chucking three’s at times, Filip was never afraid to take a shot. He was also asked to take on a much bigger load than what he was ready for last year, and he did very well while doing so. He averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 35% from deep and 87% from the FT line last year. He added in a blocked shot and a steal per game, while turning it over 2 times and fouling 2 times per game. If he gets his eligibility for this year, he’ll be at Xavier; Adding a proven piece like Filip would help navigate the chaotic waters that are injuries and uncertainty surrounding bringing a massive transfer portal in. This would raise the floor for Xavier, especially while Pozzato works back into game shape.
Malik Messina-Moore
Last year, Malik averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists for the Muskies, and he’s yet another guy who was thrust into a different expectation than he initially thought he would be. He shot 32% from deep, and 80% from the FT line, adding in a steal per game, and turning it over 2 timesper game and fouling 2 times per game. Malik will likely transfer to a different program after this season as he’s in the transfer portal.
On3 sports was the first to break the news of this lawsuit this morning.