Overview
- A federal judge in Denver granted a preliminary injunction in early August that applies the NCAA’s new five‑for‑five eligibility window to athletes who graduated high school in 2022, temporarily giving them a fifth season of college play.
- Dillon Mitchell, the Celtics’ 40th overall pick, is unsigned and has been reported as “being considered” to return to St. John’s after averaging about 13 points and 5 rebounds in Summer League.
- At least four other unsigned 2026 second‑round picks are now eligible to return to college, including Richie Saunders, Braden Smith, Tyler Nickel, and Lajae Jones, which changes their immediate pro options.
- If a drafted player goes back to school the NBA team can keep that player’s rights in practice, creating a domestic draft‑and‑stash path that affects two‑way deals, roster spots, and development plans for teams.
- The eligibility change is provisional because the NCAA plans to appeal the injunction, so players, colleges, and NBA front offices are making contingent choices while legal questions remain unresolved.