There has been a lot of speculation on whether the NCAA will move to a 5-for5 model for eligibility – five years to play five seasons of eligibility, with no redshirts. The organization is making a move for it, and plenty of coaches, including some at West Virginia, have expressed their support for the model.
And with rumors heating up the change could be approved by the NCAA in the coming weeks, there has been plenty of speculation about what that means for players who have played four year and saw their eligibility run out last season – particularly if it might open up a pathway for such players to return next season.
For the Mountaineers, that means in particular Treysen Eaglestaff and Brenen Lorient, who both played four seasons of collegiate basketball over four years and would theoretically have another season of eligibility under the rule change. And this week, NCAA President Charlie Baker addressed such scenarios.
Can Brenen Lorient, Treysen Eaglestaff return to WVU basketball if NCAA eligibility rules change?
Baker weighed in on Monday amid a push for changes to eligibility rules on what it means for players who just finished their fourth season, and it isn't the news those players – or fans who want to see them return – were hoping to hear.
"If you've used up your eligibility, you've used it up," Baker told ESPN on Monday.
Now, how well this might hold up in court is to be determined, and a lawsuit could quickly make Baker's words a bunch of empty posturing. But it appears these are legal battles the NCAA is still willing to fight. So if WVU fans were hoping they might be able to see Lorient and Eaglestaff back in the lineup next season, you might not want o get your hopes up.
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