The NCAA has reached a level of crisis in recent months with all the issues stemming from athlete eligibility. After the NCAA passed a change to allow athletes 5 seasons to be eligible eliminating redshirts and loopholes that have led to countless lawsuits and court cases, a new batch have been created. Athletes from the 2022 recruiting class have all pointed out that they could've returned if the changes were made sooner.
Judge Charlotte Sweeney ruled in favor of the players in Wisne Vs NCAA, granting every athlete who started their career in 2022-23 a chance to play a fifth season. The chaos in college sports has gotten so bad that players currently in NFL Training Camps such as former LSU edge rusher Jack Pyburn who racked up 2 sacks in his NFL Preseason Debut are looking to return to college.
Given that the decision was already made, college coaches are recruiting the now eligible players given that everyone else will, but there's now a major catch.
Recent Oregon Basketball addition Malique Ewin suffers setback with latest NCAA ruling
Once the ruling came down allowing thousands of former players to return for another season, Dana Altman joined the coaches recruiting the group. The Ducks landed Arkansas forward Malique Ewin, giving Oregon a potential starter in the front court to round out the roster.
The issue for the Ducks, and many other programs is that the initial ruling was never going to be the end of the story. On Friday, The Tenth Circuit ruled in the NCAA's favor, meaning the players no longer have the federal protection for a fifth season.
BREAKING: The Tenth Circuit has GRANTED the NCAA’s stay request in Wisne v. NCAA.
— Austin Massey (@austinmasseySBI) August 21, 2026
Judge Sweeney’s nationwide injunction is now stayed pending appeal, meaning qualifying Class of 2022 athletes lose its federal fifth-season protection for now. pic.twitter.com/i3ASE2TmHi
The decision directly impacts the Oregon Basketball program as Malique Ewin was among the players who were ruled eligible because of the ruling in Wisne Vs NCAA.
A look at some notable fifth-year commitments that were ONLY protected by the Colorado federal case 👀
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) August 21, 2026
These players haven't (yet) been listed in any separate state lawsuits that had a TRO/injunction granted, meaning they're (currently) NOT eligible for a fifth season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/7163xZPDzG
The good news for Oregon and Malique Ewin is that the plaers who have already been granted temporary restraining orders in local or state cases are all still eligible. The next step for Malique Ewin would now be filing on his own in a state case where he'd likely be granted a TRO or waiting to see if there's another appeal in this case.
We've already seen several states rule in favor of the players meaning that Malique Ewin should still be able to play for the Ducks, but that there's still steps to be taken.
Malique Ewin was key for Arkansas last season, emerging when Nick Pringle suffered an injury, averaging 9.8 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 1.1 blocks per game. Ewin would give Oregon a potential starter in the front court, and a player that can make a big impact on both ends of the court, potentially returning the Ducks to the NCAA Tournament.
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