Judge Granted Injunction for Michigan's Kenny Noland
A court ruling allows Kenny Noland to play basketball for the University of Michigan this season.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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Judge Kara E. Krothe granted a preliminary injunction on September 23, 2026, enabling Kenny Noland to join the University of Michigan basketball team. The decision arrives as Noland joins nearly 100 players in a legal challenge against NCAA eligibility rules.
Why it matters
The ruling provides Michigan with critical roster depth following the departure of L.J. Cason and an injury to Brandon McCoy Jr. The court order secures Noland's eligibility to compete until the broader lawsuit against the NCAA reaches trial.
Kenny Noland averaged 17.1 points per game alongside 3.4 rebounds and assists during the 2025-26 season. He remains one of roughly 100 collegiate players currently pursuing litigation for additional years of eligibility.
The players
Kenny Noland
He is a college basketball player who successfully challenged his eligibility status to join the University of Michigan roster.
Kara E. Krothe
She is the judge who issued the preliminary injunction in the legal challenge against the NCAA.
Brandon McCoy Jr.
He is a University of Michigan basketball player who was ruled out for the season following an ACL injury.
Rody Gayle Jr.
He is a basketball player pursuing a similar legal path to eligibility through a temporary restraining order.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the governing body currently facing a lawsuit from nearly 100 players regarding eligibility rules.
The details
The preliminary injunction allows Noland to play for Michigan despite the NCAA's existing five-in-five eligibility ruling. Michigan urgently required this legal clearance to bolster its lineup after backup point guard Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Timeline
August 2026: Brandon McCoy Jr. sustained a torn ACL while playing in Europe.
September 23, 2026: Judge Kara E. Krothe granted a preliminary injunction for Noland.
September 24, 2026: A hearing will determine the status of Rody Gayle Jr.'s restraining order.
October 11, 2026: The University of Michigan begins its exhibition season.
Season Trajectory
The addition of Noland provides Michigan with an experienced playmaker just weeks before the exhibition season begins. His presence alters the team's depth chart and could prove pivotal as Michigan navigates a roster depleted by injuries and transfers.
The injunction secures Noland's availability for the exhibition opener on October 11, 2026. His return provides the coaching staff with a proven scorer capable of averaging 17.1 points per game to offset the loss of depth caused by recent injuries.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing influence of the judiciary in determining collegiate roster compositions as players challenge long-standing eligibility standards. Future rulings will likely dictate how teams prepare for the season while litigation remains pending in the courts.
What happens next
Rody Gayle Jr. is scheduled for a court hearing on September 24, 2026, to determine if his temporary restraining order will be converted into a preliminary injunction. Michigan's exhibition season officially begins on October 11, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, check out the Basketball section.
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