What does the new injunction against the NCAA mean for Kansas and its roster

The NCAA continues to make a mess of things as far as their eligibility rules go. Despite a generally decent attempt at reining in the chaos that has become college sports with their five-in-five rule, the NCAA still was extremely shortsighted.

Kansas basketball could benefit this season from the NCAA's mistakes. That ruling body has spent most of the last two decades with its head buried in the sand as the landscape in college sports began to change. Now, there is nothing but chaos.

The five-in-five rule is an attempt to eliminate exceptions for student-athletes from applying for more years of eligibility due to redshirt seasons, years playing at the junior college, and injuries. It gives all athletes five years to complete up to five years of eligibility, based on their age and recruiting class. It also prevents international players who've made money in professional leagues. For the most part, these are all good for the game.

Unfortunately, in typical NCAA fashion, it didn't consider the class of 2022. While giving all recruiting classes from here forward an extra year of eligibility, the 2022 class was left out. They are the class between the players whose careers were affected by COVID and this new ruling. It seemed unfair, and several filed and won lawsuits, giving them another year.

The NCAA fought back but lost, at least for now, on their request for a stay. That has been rejected, and the injunction stands. Instead of just taking the defeat, the NCAA wants to keep fighting. At this point, it would make much more sense to accept the court's ruling and just move on. Players from the 2022 class who've already played four years can have one more year.

While that makes sense, it's pretty late in the summer. Classes at Kansas start in less than two weeks. Even though KU has two spots still open, many schools won't. There will be many players who were given that extra year who probably won't find spots.

How will the Kansas basketball team fill its roster?

The Jayhawks have been linked to big men Jaxson Kohler (formerly with Michigan State) and Emmanuel Ogbole (previously with Rutgers). Servian center Mihailo Musikic committed to KU in July but is 24 years old with a history of professional play, and it is doubtful he will win his case. These targets indicate that head coach Bill Self is looking to add some depth along his frontline.

Now, Kansas seems to be looking at several players. According to The Portal Report, KU has shown an interest in Alfred Worrell (Morgan State) and Kamrin Oriol (North Florida). These two make less sense as backcourt players since the Jayhawks appear to have plenty of depth there.

Michael Swain from 247Sports (subscription required) suggested that Tre White could be an option if the injunction stays in place. It's unclear how Self would work that out with Keanu Dawes and Davion Adkins slated for minutes at the same position.

Of course, Through the Phog has explored the possibility of Melvin Council Jr. rejoining the Jayhawks if he wins his case against the NCAA, which is separate from the bigger suit and injunction. It seems unlikely Council will win his case, or at least in time to be added to the KU roster for this season.

One more unknown that must resolve itself is if Javon Bardwell, already committed to Kansas for 2027, still might reclassify into the 2026 class, further muddying up the waters.

If this all seems chaotic, it's because it is. The NCAA can't get out of their own way and never seems to know when they are beat. If you ever wonder why there is constant speculation about a chunk of power conference schools breaking away from the NCAA, this is a prime example of the incompetence of that ruling body.

We'll see how all of this works out for the Kansas basketball team over the next couple of weeks. This all needs a resolution sooner rather than later.

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