si
In a positive development for Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, guard Javon Bennett and other plaintiffs in the Borovicanin lawsuit have been restored to eligibility for the 2026-27 season. The Ohio Supreme Court issued the reversal, overturning a decision by the Ohio Court of Appeals that had previously barred the players from competing.
While the situation could still evolve, Bennett is currently cleared to play for Gonzaga in the upcoming season, and his return carries substantial implications for the team's backcourt rotation.
Bennett's Role and Fit
If all current eligibility statuses remain unchanged, Bennett projects as Gonzaga's primary reserve. With a presumed starting lineup of Xaivian Lee, Davis Fogle, Isiah Harwell, Braden Huff, and Massamba Diop, Bennett would step in as a versatile sixth man capable of relieving any of the three guards.
Despite standing 5-foot-10, Bennett operates as an unconventional shooting guard, yet his scoring and shooting prowess complement Lee, a facilitator and downhill driver in pick-and-roll situations. Bennett's spot-up shooting alongside Lee would create additional spacing for the pick-and-roll, open driving lanes for Fogle and Harwell, and provide more room inside for Huff and Diop.
Defensively, Lee's 6-foot-4 frame and on-ball skills allow Bennett to cover the opponent's weakest perimeter player, mitigating size concerns. This defensive arrangement, combined with Bennett's floor spacing, makes the pairing highly effective.
French guard Nathan de Sousa slots as the third point guard behind Lee and Bennett, though he could still earn consistent minutes if Few chooses to deploy two-point-guard lineups. De Sousa's value is heightened by the uncertainty surrounding Lee's and Bennett's eligibility throughout the season, ensuring Gonzaga always has a reliable point guard available.
Remaining Eligibility Questions
Currently, 13 of Gonzaga's 15 players are eligible. Florida State transfer Chauncey Wiggins and Real Madrid center Izan Almansa are still awaiting clearance to play this season. Neither is expected to appear in Gonzaga's exhibition opener against Arkansas on October 24 unless circumstances change.
For Wiggins, a resolution could mirror Bennett's case, with the Georgia Supreme Court potentially reversing the Georgia Court of Appeals and reinstating the plaintiffs in that lawsuit. Almansa's situation rests with the NCAA, which is reviewing his professional experience in the NBA G League, the NBL, and Europe to determine his eligibility.
The NCAA recently granted eligibility to St. John's 23-year-old point guard Quinn Ellis, who played parts of three seasons in Italy. That decision may bode well for the 21-year-old Almansa, who committed to Gonzaga in May.
Gonzaga will tip off its exhibition slate against Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 PM PT. The game will be broadcast on SECN+.