Florida Guard Denzel Aberdeen Sues NCAA Over Eligibility
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Aberdeen joins hundreds of athletes challenging the NCAA's transition to a five-year eligibility model.
Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in an effort to secure a fifth year of eligibility, according to Sportsnet. Attorney Jesse Panuccio filed the motion Friday in Gainesville, arguing that the NCAA's refusal to honor its eligibility framework constitutes a breach of contract with the University of Florida.
Aberdeen, a 6-foot-5 native of Orlando, played three seasons at Florida before spending last season at Kentucky, where he started 35 games and averaged 13.5 points. After returning to Florida earlier this year to finish his degree, Aberdeen sought a waiver to have his 2022-23 freshman season—in which he played 12 games—counted as a redshirt year.
As reported by Sportsnet, the NCAA is transitioning to a five-year, age-based eligibility model set for full implementation next fall. This model starts the eligibility clock when an athlete graduates high school or turns 19, whichever occurs first. This shift has sparked widespread litigation from players in the high school class of 2022.
According to NCAA data cited by Sportsnet, there are currently 79 lawsuits involving 450 plaintiffs across various sports. This group includes 234 men's basketball players and 33 women's basketball players. While 154 men and 26 women have received court relief allowing them to play, the remaining plaintiffs remain ineligible. Panuccio's motion notes that over 30 courts nationwide have already ruled that the NCAA's decisions regarding athletes who started their careers in the 2022-23 season are unlawful.
If Aberdeen secures a temporary restraining order, he would likely replace Xaivian Lee in the starting lineup for Coach Todd Golden. The Gators, who retained players such as Rueben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh, and Alex Condon, are currently betting favorites to win the 2027 championship.