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A federal judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction on Friday evening that could extend the college careers of certain Division I athletes. The ruling specifically affects members of the 2022 recruiting class who exhausted their eligibility this spring, potentially granting them another year of competition under the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule.
Jamarques Lawrence, a 6-foot-3 guard from Plainfield, New Jersey, has started 101 games during his collegiate tenure. This ruling may allow him to return for one final season, a development that could have significant implications for the Nebraska men's basketball program, which has kept a roster spot open in anticipation of this possibility.
Lawrence's Journey
Lawrence arrived at Nebraska as a three-star prospect in the 2022 class, ranked No. 196 overall by 247Sports and among the top five players in New Jersey. As a true freshman, he appeared in 28 games with 12 starts, averaging 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per contest during the 2022-23 season. The following year, he played in all 34 games, starting the first 23 before moving to a bench role. He improved his averages to 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, helping the Huskers reach the NCAA Tournament.
After that season, Lawrence entered the transfer portal and joined Rhode Island, where he started 31 games and posted a career-high 9.9 points per game, along with 2.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds. He then returned to Lincoln for what was expected to be his final year, during which he averaged 9.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. He was one of only two players to start every game for Nebraska during the 2025-26 campaign, a season that saw the team win its first NCAA Tournament games in program history.
Impact on Nebraska's Roster
The Cornhuskers enjoyed a historic season, spending 15 weeks in the AP Top 25 and earning Coach Fred Hoiberg recognition as the outlet's Coach of the Year. However, that success was built on a veteran-heavy roster. The team faced the loss of three starters—including Lawrence—due to eligibility, while Berke Buyuktuncel entered the transfer portal. Forward Pryce Sandfort was expected to be the only returning starter. Lawrence's potential return would give Nebraska one of the most experienced guards in college basketball.
It's important to note that Lawrence's return is only possible because of a "grandfather clause" in the House vs. NCAA settlement, which allowed Henry Burt to not occupy a roster spot. Otherwise, the Huskers would already have a full 15-man roster. Additionally, fellow guard Kendall Blue, who transferred from St. Thomas, could also be eligible for an extra year. Blue, listed at 6-foot-6, played a reserve role last season, appearing in 19 games, and has amassed 1,026 career points and 401 rebounds.
NCAA Response
The NCAA expressed displeasure with the ruling, issuing a statement that called on Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act. The organization argued that without federal intervention, college sports cannot maintain uniform rules, and that such decisions are "robbing the next class of college scholarships." Reports indicate that Big Ten presidents and chancellors have voted to support the act, with SEC leaders potentially following suit. For now, the injunction remains in place, giving Lawrence the opportunity to return for one final year.
The Huskers have seemingly been preparing for this outcome, though they likely entered the offseason expecting Lawrence to move on. The potential return of a player of his caliber could significantly bolster Nebraska's prospects for the upcoming season.
Originally reported by headtopics.