For Gonzaga, the latest twist in the 5-in-5 eligibility fight brought a much-needed lift.
Point guard Javon Bennett, a Dayton transfer seeking a fifth college season through the ongoing Borovicanin vs. NCAA lawsuit, has temporarily regained eligibility after the Ohio Supreme Court stayed a previous ruling from the Ohio Court of Appeals. That keeps Bennett available for now as Gonzaga prepares to open its exhibition schedule Oct. 24 against Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena.
Bennett had joined a group of player plaintiffs challenging the NCAA in Borovicanin vs. NCAA.
He was initially cleared to compete by a preliminary injunction on July 9, then committed to Gonzaga on Aug. 6.
Less than two weeks later, that progress hit a setback when the NCAA won a stay in the case, temporarily knocking the players back out of eligibility until the lawsuit is resolved.
Wednesday’s decision changes that again, restoring the lower court’s injunction and leaving the players eligible while more information is gathered.
Bennett is one of several notable college basketball players affected by the ruling. Others include Xavier’s Filip Borovicanin, Cincinnati’s MJ Collins Jr. and St. Johns’ Keyshawn Hall.
The stay motion came a day after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a controversial executive order allowing colleges in the state to decide whether various 5-in-5 candidates can play this season. That order applies only to athletes currently enrolled at Ohio schools, so it does not impact Bennett, who spent the last three seasons at Dayton.
If Bennett remains eligible, Gonzaga could enter its marquee exhibition with a full group of point guards. French prospect Nathan De Sousa was recently cleared to play for the Zags this season, while fifth-year Florida transfer Xaivian Lee is eligible for now under a temporary restraining order in California.
Lee’s lawsuit, Glancey vs. NCAA, is set to resume Oct. 20 in Santa Clara, Calif., though a final ruling that day is considered unlikely. Gonzaga women’s player Ines Bettencourt is also listed among the plaintiffs in that case.
Another Gonzaga player, wing Chauncey Wiggins, remains tied up in a separate 5-in-5 lawsuit. Wiggins first gained fifth-season eligibility through a preliminary injunction, but the NCAA sought a stay there as well, which temporarily reversed that decision.
Wiggins and Lee both took part in Gonzaga’s Kraziness in the Kennel showcase on Oct. 3, while Bennett did not because of a minor shoulder injury, according to coach Mark Few.
The 5-foot-10 Bennett is coming off the best offensive season of his career. He averaged 15.8 points, along with 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds, and was named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team after ranking fifth in the league in scoring. Over three seasons with Dayton, he made 98 starts and helped Anthony Grant’s team reach the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24.
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