Courtroom chaos hits college basketball as dozens play after judges block NCAA eligibility rules

The college basketball season tipped off in earnest Monday with something never before seen in the century-plus history of the game: Dozens of players across the country suited up to play after winning court orders against the NCAA's new elibility rules.

The bizarre situation meant some teams had talented fifth-year players back on their rosters while others had to fill in gaps for players left in limbo by a loss in a courtroom.

“I’m just a kid from Rochester, New York.

Love the game of basketball,” said Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr., who along with Tre White and Trey Kaufman-Renn were cleared to play for the No.

17 Jayhawks against Fordham on Monday night.

“I never thought I’d be going to court about the rest of my life." Most of the lawsuits have centered on the governing body's new five-year eligibility model, which gives athletes five seasons to play over a five-year period, beginning when they turn 19 or graduate from high school, whichever is earlier.

But that rule did not apply to those from the high school class of 2022, who were completing their four seasons of eligibility when it was adopted earlier this year.

So, many of those players went to court asking for a fifth season.

Others added their names to existing lawsuits.

In most cases, a series of judges — in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and elsewhere, many of them involving plaintiffs from out of state — have granted injunctions allowing them to play once more.

There are subtle wrinkles to most of the court cases.

Some players competed at junior colleges and believe they should have another year of eligibility.

Others took redshirt seasons, or had to medically redshirt, and asked for that year of eligibility back.

Many players left college, believing their careers were over, and signed with professional teams — only to return to college.

Hundreds of players involved As of last week, the NCAA reported some 200 lawsuits filed since its approval of the new eligibility model in June, encompassing roughly 850 plaintiffs in a variety of sports.

Of that total, 362 men's and 62 women's basketball players were involved in lawsuits, with nearly half of those — 171 men, 30 women — having received some type of judicial relief allowing them to play.

Last Friday, the NCAA....