Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington granted injunction against NCAA

Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington has been granted an injunction against the NCAA, allowing him to compete during the 2026-27 college basketball season. The court order notes that the lost opportunity to play in the upcoming season results in significant damage to his career development, exposure, and personal brand, impacts that cannot be restored through later financial compensation.

Washington, who previously played three seasons at North Carolina, joined the Commodores for the 2025-26 season. During that time, he averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds over 36 games. He remains active in the transfer portal as he moves forward with his eligibility secured by this ruling.

This case centers on the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model, which ties a student-athlete's eligibility clock to their initial full-time enrollment or their 19th birthday. The court found that without this relief, the plaintiffs would be unable to compete or participate in the transfer market for an additional season.

Washington is one of several athletes named in the lawsuit, which includes players from various programs. This legal development represents another setback for the NCAA regarding its eligibility policies, following an Ohio judge's decision earlier this summer that granted a similar injunction to 24 other men's and women's basketball players.

The current model has faced consistent legal scrutiny as it moves toward full implementation. With the 2027 recruiting class set to be the first under the age-based rule exclusively, these court outcomes continue to shape the landscape of college sports regulations and athlete rights.