Overview
- A federal judge’s preliminary injunction this week applied the NCAA’s new five‑year eligibility rule retroactively to the high‑school class of 2022, and the NCAA has filed a notice of appeal so the order is legally unsettled.
- Reports say St. John’s is ‘‘considering’’ a return by Dillon Mitchell, the Celtics’ unsigned No. 40 pick, and the program has at least one roster spot available if he chooses to come back.
- Mitchell impressed in Las Vegas Summer League but has not signed with Boston, leaving the Celtics the option to preserve exclusive negotiating rights by issuing a required tender by Sept. 5.
- The decision for Mitchell involves money and development: a likely NBA two‑way deal is worth about $678,882 while New York NIL deals could top that and a college year would add game reps.
- The ruling affects several other unsigned 2026 draftees and could create more ‘domestic draft‑and‑stash’ cases, forcing NBA front offices to adjust roster plans while the appeals process plays out.