Alex Steen is back in the mix for Florida State basketball.
A Leon County judge granted the Seminoles forward an extra season of eligibility, and a source confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that Steen will return after the ruling from Judge David Frank. The decision clears the way for Steen to play his final season of college basketball with FSU after a legal fight that stretched through the summer.
Steen had been challenging the NCAA over its “5-in-5” eligibility rule. He filed his lawsuit in August, and his temporary restraining order was initially denied before the court injunction changed his status. The ruling, made on Zoom, now officially opens the door for him to suit up.
He has already been around the program for a while. Steen has been practicing with the team, has stayed enrolled in classes and has remained close to the Seminoles since he chose to end his pursuit of a pro career. Because of that, he was able to be around the team under NCAA rules.
The forward brings a familiar production line to Florida State’s frontcourt. In his lone season with the Seminoles, Steen averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He now gives the roster another depth piece and a different skill set than the other bigs on hand, including Marcis Ponder, Sebastin Rancik and Cooper Schwieger.
FSU has already gotten a look at its preseason form, opening with an 82-71 win over Auburn in the Ballin in Boutwell event. Ponder delivered a double-double with 13 points and 21 rebounds, while Kam Taylor led the Seminoles with 19 points. Steen traveled with the team for that game.
His first chance to get back on the floor comes Saturday, Oct. 24, when Florida State faces LSU at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
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Kromah had been the teams leading rusher before the injury, making his absence even harder to absorb as Florida State moves into the final stretch of the year. He is expected to miss the remaining five games, and while he was said to be in good spirits before surgery, the Seminoles now have to figure out how to replace both his production and his presence in the offense. [Read more 🡒]