Overview
- Javon Bennett committed to Gonzaga on Wednesday after a court injunction in Ohio restored his eligibility for the 2026–27 season and allowed him to transfer outside the closed NCAA portal window.
- The injunction stems from a lawsuit filed by 15 athletes challenging the NCAA’s age‑based eligibility rule and specifically granted those plaintiffs a fifth year and permission to move despite the portal having closed in April.
- Bennett is a 5‑10 guard who began at Merrimack, spent three seasons at Dayton, played 136 college games and averaged a career‑best 15.8 points, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals last season while earning All‑Atlantic 10 First Team honors.
- Gonzaga’s roster now lists Bennett as its third reported transfer addition this offseason after Massamba Diop and Isiah Harwell, and he is expected to fill the primary ball‑handler role left open when Mario Saint‑Supery signed in Spain.
- The legal fight is ongoing and could affect wider NCAA transfer and eligibility rules, so observers should watch for further court decisions and any NCAA responses that could change which players remain eligible next season.