Tamin Lipsey Rejoined Iowa State Basketball Roster
A legal injunction granted the veteran guard a fifth year of athletic eligibility for the upcoming season.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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Tamin Lipsey has officially returned to the Iowa State men's basketball team after a judge granted him a fifth year of eligibility. The veteran guard, who holds school records for career steals and starts, will compete for the Cyclones during the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
The decision stems from a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA that has impacted over 90 athletes. While the ruling allows Lipsey to return to the court, the NCAA intends to appeal the decision to prevent his participation.
Lipsey averaged 13.5 points per game last season and holds Iowa State records with 314 career steals and 137 career starts. He returns to the roster with a total of 1,507 career points.
The players
Tamin Lipsey
He is a veteran basketball guard who holds multiple Iowa State University career records.
Kara E. Krothe
She is the judge who granted the preliminary injunction allowing for a fifth year of athletic eligibility.
Ryan Prather Jr.
He is an Iowa State basketball player who changed his jersey number to accommodate the return of a teammate.
NCAA
This is the national collegiate athletic association that intends to appeal the legal ruling regarding athlete eligibility.
Indiana Pacers
This is the professional NBA franchise where Lipsey played during two summer league games.
The details
Tamin Lipsey, who went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft and played in two summer league games for the Indiana Pacers, is back at Iowa State University. To accommodate his return and his reclamation of the No. 3 jersey, teammate Ryan Prather Jr. has switched his own number to four.
Timeline
Tamin Lipsey was named an AP All-American honorable mention in 2024.
Judge Kara E. Krothe granted the preliminary injunction on Sept. 23, 2026.
Iowa State announced the addition of Lipsey to the team on Sept. 28, 2026.
Lipsey is set to compete throughout the 2026-27 season.
Season Trajectory
The addition of an experienced record-holder significantly bolsters Iowa State's competitive balance for the 2026-27 season. The pending NCAA appeal creates uncertainty regarding his long-term availability for the remainder of the year.
Lipsey will reclaim the No. 3 jersey, forcing teammate Ryan Prather Jr. to switch to No. 4 for the season. His return adds a proven starter with over 1,500 career points to the Cyclones' rotation.
The takeaway
The return of a veteran leader like Lipsey highlights the ongoing legal shifts affecting student-athlete eligibility. Fans should monitor the outcome of the NCAA appeal as it may impact roster stability throughout the basketball season.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming season, visit the Ames Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.
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