Court Restores Nya Robertson's Tennessee Eligibility
A federal judge's temporary restraining order lets the Tennessee guard return to the roster for a road game against Coppin State.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Should college athletes be allowed to play a fifth season under older eligibility rules?
A federal court granted Tennessee women's basketball guard Nya Robertson a 10-day temporary restraining order on Nov. 2, restoring her eligibility to play. Robertson will be added to the roster for Tennessee's road game against Coppin State.
Why it matters
The court found Robertson and other plaintiffs face the immediate loss of time-sensitive opportunities to enroll, practice, compete and receive compensation during the 2026-2027 academic year that damages could not adequately address. The ruling comes from a lawsuit challenging the NCAA's age-based eligibility rules.
The order runs 10 days, from Nov. 2 to Nov. 13, with a hearing set for Nov. 16. Robertson, a 5-foot-7 guard, started 21 of 30 appearances last season, averaging 8.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
The players
Nya Robertson
A Tennessee guard who previously played at George Washington and SMU and is from Fort Worth, Texas.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which governs college sports and set the age-based eligibility model at issue.
The details
Robertson is a plaintiff in the Hosea Wheeler lawsuit against the NCAA, which seeks eligibility for seniors in the 2022 class excluded from the NCAA's age-based rules. Jalen Washington is also a plaintiff but did not receive a restraining order, while TCU's Colin Clough and Rice's Darya Schwartzman did.
Timeline
Nov. 2: Robertson granted temporary restraining order
Nov. 13: Temporary restraining order expires
Nov. 16: Hearing on temporary orders
Roadmap
The ruling tests the NCAA's new age-based model, which grants athletes five seasons of eligibility. Courts are now weighing whether that framework can exclude athletes already in the middle of their college careers.
Robertson's return adds a proven three-point shooter to Tennessee's rotation for the Coppin State game. Fantasy and roster watchers should track whether the order is extended at the Nov. 16 hearing.
The takeaway
The ruling shows that eligibility disputes under the NCAA's new model can move quickly through federal court. Athletes and fans alike should watch the Nov. 16 hearing for whether these protections last beyond the current 10-day window.
What happens next
A hearing on the temporary orders is scheduled for Nov. 16, when the court will consider whether to extend them.
Further reading
Explore more Basketball coverage for context on the NCAA eligibility fight shaping college rosters.
Live Poll
Should college athletes be allowed to play a fifth season under older eligibility rules?
