Tre White Receives Injunction, Opening Door for Potential Kansas Return
Former Kansas basketball forward Tre White received a major development in his effort to gain another season of college eligibility Wednesday, when an Indiana judge granted him and 96 other athletes a preliminary injunction against the NCAA.
The ruling makes White immediately eligible to compete while the lawsuit continues. It does not permanently settle the case, but it gives the former Jayhawk an opportunity to play during the 2026-27 season. The NCAA could still appeal the decision.
White joined the lawsuit earlier this month as part of a group of athletes from the 2022 high school class seeking an additional season of eligibility. The argument centers around the NCAA's newer five-year eligibility rules, which allow certain athletes to compete for five seasons without needing to redshirt, while players from the 2022 class who already exhausted four seasons were left out.
For Kansas, the ruling is significant because White had one of the best seasons of his college career in Lawrence last year. The Dallas native averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds while starting all 35 games for Bill Self. He also shot 40.3% from three-point range, giving Kansas a versatile wing capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Self has previously made it clear how highly he valued White's contributions.
After White was left off the All-Big 12 postseason teams, Self said, “The only thing that disappointed me was Tre didn’t get anything.” Self believed White deserved at least honorable mention recognition.
Self also highlighted what made White valuable to Kansas beyond his scoring numbers.
“He’s big enough that he can guard a big guy some and he’s small enough he can guard a guard some, which makes him extra valuable,” Self said. “To me, he’s a winner.”
Those comments help explain why White could be an intriguing possibility for Kansas if the Jayhawks are able to bring him back.
There is still uncertainty surrounding where White will play. The injunction requires the NCAA to give the plaintiffs a one-week opportunity to enter the transfer portal, while White's representatives have not announced a destination. A Kansas spokesperson also indicated that White is no longer enrolled at KU this fall, creating another potential complication with the school's enrollment deadline.
White's professional opportunities also remain relevant. He played for the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League after last season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists over four games. The injunction allows athletes who participated professionally after last season to potentially return to college, provided they terminate applicable contracts and repay money received before playing in a collegiate game.
For now, White is eligible. Whether that eligibility ultimately leads him back to Allen Fieldhouse remains unresolved, but Wednesday's ruling has reopened a possibility that appeared closed just weeks ago.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
