Pair of WVU Basketball Hopefuls File Lawsuit Against NCAA

Two former WVU basketball players are fighting a recent legal clarification in the interest of getting on the court for the 2026-27 season.

Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA due to the failure to provide them a transfer portal window, as first discovered by Sam Elrich.

The two former, and likely would-be current, Mountaineers are arguing that even if granted an extra year of eligibility, they need a transfer portal window as an avenue.

This latest development comes after Judge Charlotte Sweeney off the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a preliminary injunction giving high school class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of  eligibility.

The preliminary injunction came in light of the NCAA Division I Cabinet passing the “Five-For-Five” rule, which allows four five consecutive years of college eligibility for athletes. However, it was scheduled to start next year, leaving just-graduated seniors without the option for a fifth year.

“All persons in the United States who began to play in collegiate sports in the 2022–2023 season, competed in NCAA Division I sports, and completed four years of eligibility as defined by the NCAA’s prior rules by the conclusion of the 2025–2026 season, and are therefore barred from playing a fifth season due to the NCAA’s adoption and immediate implementation of the Five-Year Eligibility Rule,” the case conclusion stated.

WVU basketball just graduated five players from the high school class of 2022: forward Brenen Lorient, center Harlan Obioha, guard Honor Huff, guard Treysen Eaglestaff and guard Jasper Floyd. With one roster spot remaining for the 2026-27 season, this ruling could potentially result in a return for one of the former Mountaineers.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.