A federal judge granted SMU guard B.J. Edwards a temporary injunction against the NCAA on Friday, clearing him to play a fifth college season in 2026-27.
DALLAS — A federal judge granted SMU guard B.J. Edwards a temporary injunction against the NCAA on Friday, clearing him to play a fifth college season in 2026-27.
Edwards was among the plaintiffs in the suit, which was filed in Tennessee and challenged the NCAA's age-based eligibility model. Pete Nakos of On3 reported the ruling and the plaintiff list, which also included Texas guard Chendall Weaver, Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington, Ole Miss guard A.J. Storr, Memphis guard Dug McDaniel, and Providence guard Jason Edwards. Darren Heitner and Texas Trial Group's Ryan Downton served as attorneys on the case.
"Once those deadlines pass and roster positions are filled, the lost opportunity cannot be restored through a later judgment or adequately compensated by monetary damage," the order states.
Under the NCAA's five-for-five model, a player's eligibility begins at initial full-time college enrollment or the start of the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Athletes have five years from then. Recruits in 2027 fall under the age-based model only.
For the players covered by Friday's injunction, the transfer portal opens Aug. 3 and closes Aug. 10.
Most Division I programs filled to the 15-player limit through the spring portal cycle and high school signings. SMU currently lists 14. The next step will be to gain clarity regarding Edwards' plans for next season.
Edwards signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sacramento Kings on June 25 after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. The one-year deal is non-guaranteed. A player who waives an Exhibit 10 prior to the season can earn a bonus of up to $91,000 by spending 60 days with the G League team. The contract can be converted into a two-way deal before opening night. Edwards, 23, participated in Sacramento's roster during the July Las Vegas Summer League.
Last season, in 28 games, Edwards averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.3 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. He shot 47.4% overall, 37.2% on three-pointers, and 77.1% from the free-throw line, starting each game.
Edwards injured his right ankle at California on Feb. 25 and didn't play afterward. SMU was 19-8 before the injury but finished the year 1-6. Before the bracket was announced, the program released a statement saying Edwards was expected to return to competition and be available for the NCAA Tournament. He was listed out on the final injury report two hours before the First Four game against Miami (Ohio).
The 6-foot-3 guard started at Tennessee, playing 14 games as a freshman in 2022-23 with 1.2 points. He transferred to SMU that May, spending three seasons with averages of 3.7, 9.9, and 12.7 points.
SMU coach Andy Enfield revamped most of his rotation this offseason. Boopie Miller, Jaron Pierre Jr., and Corey Washington finished their eligibility alongside Edwards, while center Samet Yigitoglu transferred to Indiana. Last season, the Mustangs posted a 20-14 record overall and an 8-10 mark in the ACC, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Enfield's third season brings Duke, Clemson, Pitt, Stanford, Syracuse, Cal, and Wake Forest to Moody Coliseum. Oklahoma comes to Dallas on Dec. 22.
