Tennessee basketball and transfer center Jalen Washington are still in limbo as he lawsuit against the NCAA remains pending in state court.
Washington is hoping to play a fifth season of college basketball under the new age-based eligibility rules that, as they currently stand, don't apply to him, but needs to win his lawsuit first. UT coach Rick Barnes said Washington can practice with the team for now, but doesn't know when or how the case will be resolved.
"I don't think we know yet. I don't think anybody knows what's going on with this," Barnes said on Sept. 21, during a charity golf tournament for the Emerald Youth Foundation at Holston Hills Country Club. "I would say, truthfully, I think it's a toss up and hopefully it'll land right for us."
Washington was a key addition for the Vols, who boast a talented backcourt but thin frontcourt. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound center transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2025-26 season and averaged career-highs in points (8.9), rebounds (5.6) and blocks (1.3) per game while shooting 61.8% from 2-point range. He would be the Vols' best post player if he's eligible.
Washington's lawsuit challenges the NCAA's so-called "five-in-five" rule, which allows athletes to play up to five seasons over a five year period beginning at their 19th birthday or college enrollment, whichever comes first. Athletes like Washington from the Class of 2022, who played four seasons without using a redshirt, are currently not covered by that rule.
A federal court in Tennessee ruled on July 31 that Washington and 16 other college basketball players, who are currently suing the NCAA over new eligibility rules, would suffer "immediate and irreparable harm" if they were not allowed a fifth year of eligibility.
But on Aug. 26, the Tennessee Court of Appeals granted the NCAA a stay of the temporary injunction which made Washington eligible. He can still play for the Vols this season if he wins his lawsuit.
There's no timetable for a final ruling, but time is of the essence for UT. The Vols will officially open preseason practices on Sept. 22 and play the first of two exhibitions at home vs. Xavier on Oct. 15. Then the regular season begins on Nov. 3.
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What Rick Barnes said about Jalen Washington, eligibility for Tennessee basketball
