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Texas A&M basketball player Rylan Griffen encountered a significant obstacle in his eligibility fight on Wednesday. Brazos County Judge John Brick dismissed Griffen's lawsuit against the NCAA, citing a lack of jurisdiction, according to KBTX. The ruling leaves the guard unable to suit up for the Aggies as they gear up for the 2026-27 campaign.
Griffen's temporary restraining order (TRO) was scheduled to lapse Wednesday night, meaning he will need to obtain another order to regain eligibility while his legal battle continues. The former Aggie guard had been pursuing a preliminary injunction that would permit him to play an additional season under NCAA eligibility rules. The decision represents a major blow for Griffen and second-year Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan, who had anticipated having the seasoned guard available at the start of the season.
Why Judge John Brick Dismissed Rylan Griffen's Case
Griffen's legal challenge revolves around the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model and its exclusion of players from the 2022 recruiting class. His attorneys contended that the NCAA breached contractual obligations to student-athletes by excluding that recruiting class from the updated eligibility model without explicitly writing the exclusion into the rulebook, per KBTX.
Many Texas A&M supporters viewed Griffen's case as a promising avenue for the guard to secure another year of eligibility. However, Wednesday's dismissal hinged on a lack of jurisdiction, which prevented the court from granting the requested relief in this instance. The ruling does not necessarily spell the end of Griffen's eligibility fight, but the immediate consequences are substantial.
Once his TRO expires, Griffen will need to acquire another temporary restraining order before he can return to practice and competition. He would also need to pursue further legal remedies to secure eligibility for the season.
Rylan Griffen's Absence Would Hurt Texas A&M Basketball
Griffen's potential absence is a concern for McMillan as Texas A&M attempts to build on its success from last season. The guard appeared in 32 games during the 2025-26 campaign, starting 27 of them. He averaged 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while leading the Aggies with 1.6 steals per contest.
His experience would be especially important for an Aggies team looking to maintain its momentum after finishing 22-12 overall, posting an 11-7 record in SEC play and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Without Griffen, Texas A&M could need increased production from transfer guard PJ Haggerty and the rest of its reworked backcourt.
Can the Aggies Get Griffen Back Before SEC Play?
Texas A&M opens its 2026-27 season Tuesday, November 3, against Alabama State at Reed Arena. The Aggies also have early nonconference matchups against Northern Kentucky and UL-Monroe before facing Oklahoma State, their first power-conference opponent. That schedule gives Texas A&M some time to adjust if Griffen remains unavailable for the opening games. However, his absence would still remove an experienced contributor from a team with postseason aspirations.
The immediate priority is securing new legal relief that would allow Griffen to return to the court. Until that happens, the guard remains sidelined, leaving McMillan and the Aggies waiting for clarity. Wednesday's ruling is a setback, but Griffen's eligibility battle may not be over. For Texas A&M, the hope is that the situation can be resolved before his absence becomes a larger obstacle to the team's season.