PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The NCAA is pushing back in federal court against two Providence College basketball players who want one more season, and a judge is scheduled to take up their request Monday.
In a filing opposing a temporary restraining order sought by guard Derek Simpson, the association told the court his eligibility bid has been denied before and he is simply asking again. It also contends he is going around a certified federal class action that was filed first and whose final judgment would apply to him regardless.
Simpson and fellow Friar Joseph Pinion brought nearly identical antitrust lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. Each claims the NCAA's new five-years-in-five eligibility rule, put in place in late June, leaves out athletes who finished high school in 2022, capping them at four seasons while others receive a fifth, and that sitting out would cost them name, image and likeness money tied to playing. The suits allege an unlawful restraint of trade under the Sherman Act and a breach of contract, and both players are asking for immediate orders letting them suit up this winter. Pinion, a 6-foot-5 guard, spent last season at South Florida under Bryan Hodgson, who now coaches Providence. His filing says NCAA staff turned down his waiver request and an appeal panel did the same.
District Judge Melissa DuBose has set a remote hearing on the requests for 11 a.m. Eastern on Monday, Oct. 19.
The players moved to federal court after three recent attempts by athletes in Rhode Island state courts came up short.
Simpson would be a significant addition. In his most recent season at Saint Joseph's he averaged 13.8 points, made 91.7% of his free throws and earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Providence already saw Dink Pate leave for the G League on Friday, and the Friars begin exhibition games Saturday against Pittsburgh.
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