Overview
- A Durham County judge ruled from the bench to deny Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking portal entry and then recused himself because he is a Duke basketball season-ticket holder, according to Mensah’s attorney.
- Under NCAA rules requiring portal action within two business days of a request, Mensah is expected to be entered into the database following the court’s denial.
- Duke’s lawsuit seeks to prevent Mensah from enrolling or playing at another school and from relicensing his NIL elsewhere until an arbitrator rules, citing an agreement that runs through Dec. 31, 2026 and mandates arbitration.
- Mensah’s legal team argues the school cannot restrain a student-athlete’s movement, says the contract does not excuse Duke from timely portal submission, and contends Duke cannot show irreparable harm.
- Multiple outlets link Miami as a potential destination, and ESPN reported Hurricanes backup Emory Williams entered the portal, a move viewed as a sign Miami expects to add a quarterback.