Arizona’s RJ Godfrey withdraws from NCAA eligibility lawsuit with season opener looming

Arizona Wildcats forward RJ Godfrey is no longer suing the NCAA for an additional year of college basketball eligibility after he, and 15 other plaintiffs, withdrew their name from the Godfrey vs. NCAA lawsuit on Wednesday.

The lawsuit, filed by Godfrey in the state of Georgia where he played for Clemson the past four seasons, is currently stayed at the request of the NCAA, rendering Godfrey and the other plaintiffs ineligible. Oral arguments in the case were finally scheduled but not until Jan. 12, well into the regular season, prompting multiple players to withdraw and presumably pursue other avenues to eligibility.

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It is unclear as of this writing what Godfrey’s next steps will be in his attempt to play for the Wildcats this upcoming season.

Godfrey vs. NCAA

Mar 19, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) participates in a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Godfrey spent the first four seasons of his college career at Clemson in the ACC, culminating in a fantastic senior year where he averaged 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 62.7% on two pointers and 66% from the free throw line.

He entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the season and eventually pursued legal action to get a fifth year of eligibility, after the NCAA passed new five-in-five legislation that granted all student-athletes five years – but that arbitrarily excluded those who graduated high school in 2022.

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Godfrey and the other plaintiffs were granted a TRO on August 5, 2026, just three days after he made his commitment to Arizona public.

He had about a month of eligibility before the case was stayed by the Georgia Court of Appeals on Sep. 9, rendering him ineligible.

That is where the case remains to this day, even after a similar case – Borovicanin vs. NCAA – had the stay reversed by the Ohio Supreme Court in mid-October.

The lack…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arizonas-rj-godfrey-withdraws-ncaa-011519693.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-29 01:15:00

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