NCAA Moves Tyon Grant-Foster Eligibility Case to Federal Court, Delaying Injunction Hearing

Tyon Grant-Foster, a Gonzaga basketball transfer, is embroiled in a legal battle with the NCAA over his eligibility waiver for the 2025-26 season, which the NCAA denied after initially granting him a practice waiver. The NCAA filed a motion to move his case from Spokane County Superior Court to federal court less than 24 hours before a scheduled preliminary injunction hearing, effectively postponing the hearing and potentially jeopardizing his chance to play this season. Grant-Foster, who has a heart condition and underwent two surgeries, and his attorneys argue that counting his years of eligibility against him constitutes disability discrimination under Washington law. The NCAA claims that eligibility rulings cannot be challenged under state law and cited over 50 lawsuits from student-athletes in the past year, mostly in their favor. Gonzaga's coaching staff and players have expressed strong support for Grant-Foster, with head coach Mark Few choosing to stay in Spokane instead of attending the WCC media day. Grant-Foster has publicly shared his frustration and emotional distress over the prolonged legal process and the impact on his future.