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Why Jalen Washington is ineligible for Tennessee basketball after new ruling
Jalen Washington had been on track to playing a fifth season in college for Tennessee basketball , but the Court of Appeals of Tennessee issued an order staying the temporary injunction that would have awarded him an extra year of eligibility on Aug. 26, making him ineligible for now.
"After considering all the relevant factors and, in particular, the NCAA's likelihood of success on the merits based on the legal issues presented, we conclude the trial court's August 19, 2026 order denying a stay pending appeal constitutes an abuse of discretion," the order from the Court of Appeals states.
Washington was a key addition for the Vols, who boast a talented backcourt but thin frontcourt. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound center transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2025-26 season and averaged career-highs in points (8.9), rebounds (5.6) and blocks (1.3) per game while shooting 61.8% from 2-point range. He would be the Vols' best post player if he's eligible.
A federal court in Tennessee ruled on July 31 that Washington and 16 other college basketball players, who are currently suing the NCAA over new eligibility rules, would suffer "immediate and irreparable harm" if they were not allowed a fifth year of eligibility. That opened the door for Washington to join UT's roster on Aug. 3.
The NCAA's chief legal officer, Scott Bearby issued a statement about the new ruling in Washington's lawsuit on Aug. 26.
"We are encouraged that each of the three appellate courts to consider these injunctions has recognized the strength of the the NCAA's legal arguments and the significant harm caused when ineligible student-athletes are permitted to compete," he said. "The decisions reaffirm the importance of preserving a level playing field for the thousands of student athletes and member schools across Division I that are competing under the membership's rules."
"The NCAA stands by the membership's eligibility rules and will continue to vigorously defend those decisions in courts across the country," he added.
While Washington is ineligible for now, the lawsuit is still pending and he could win his case against the NCAA. But time is a pressing factor. UT will play the first of two preseason exhibitions on Oct. 15 and open the regular season on Nov. 2.
Washington's lawsuit challenges the NCAA's so-called "five-for-five" rule, which allows athletes to play up to five seasons over a five year period beginning at their 19th birthday or college enrollment, whichever comes first.
The NCAA was successful in appealing similar cases in Ohio and Colorado, where courts had also issued temporary injunctions that put athletes from the class of 2022 who had played four seasons in four years, like Washington, on the path to playing a fifth season of eligibility. Stays on those temporary injunctions will leave teams and athletes in limbo until the cases are resolved.
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Jalen Washington is ineligible for Tennessee basketball after new ruling
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