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NCAA won't grant this year's seniors an extra year of eligibility. Next year? Different story. Plus: Arizona will have two starters back for 2026-27, Baylor, Arkansas add 5-star prospects, UCF goes round 2 with Johnson, NBA Draft entrants, and more.
Mike Miller
April 28, 2026
Good morning! There won’t be chaos this season with teams scrambling to add fifth-year seniors. Probably. There’s always the chance of lawsuits.
Let’s get to it.
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1. The 5-in-5 rule likely coming — just not this year
College basketball players and programs should be able to plan on a 5-year eligibility window for all athletes.
In 2027-28.
The D-I board of directors on Monday moved to advance an age-based rule change that would give athletes five years of eligibility to compete in D-I sports, starting after their high school graduation, or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. But any hope that this year’s senior class would benefit? That’s not in the cards. From the NCAA:
"Maintain existing rules — allowing four seasons of competition in five years of eligibility — for student-athletes competing in the 2025-26 academic year; new rules are not expected to retroactively apply to student-athletes whose eligibility is or will be completed by the spring of 2026."
NCAA president Charlie Baker told ESPN that he is “pretty optimistic” the new rule will pass.
If you’re wondering if the 2025-26 seniors are miffed about the decision, the answer is yes. The 2023-24 class got an extra season due to COVID (most played through last season as a result). This year’s rising seniors on down likely will get an extra season.
That’s rough timing for that age group. And it’s why more lawsuits are likely coming.
2. Krivas, Kharchenkov both back for Arizona
Arizona will have two starters back from its first Final Four team since 2001 in center Motiejus Krivas and wing Ivan Kharchenkov.
Will they have company from this season’s roster?
