In their latest quest to move from the legal courts to the basketball courts, University of Cincinnati guard MJ Collins and Xavier University forward Filip Borovicanin are once again eligible to return to the college game.
This comes courtesy of an executive order from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Oct. 12. ESPN's Pete Thamel had the court order.
Key wording of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine executive order declaring Ohio basketball players eligible
The student-athletes must be within five years of their 19th birthday and five years of enrolling in college at the start
of the 2026-27 academic year. They must have been eligible at the end of their last season of collegiate competition. They cannot have participated as a pro athlete in pro sports such as the National Football League, National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association.
A State institution of higher education or private college or university in Ohio that permits a student-athlete to practice or compete in accordance with the Order does so at the direction of the State of Ohio and in compliance with the public policy of this State.
Reactions include this from college athletics attorney Mit Winter of Kennyhertz Perry LLC: "Don't be surprised to now see executive orders like this in other states."
Field of 68 basketball analyst Jeff Goodman wrote: "It just seems like now the NCAA needs to just admit defeat, clear those Class of 2022 guys and try and have as normal a college basketball season as possible."
MJ Collins, Filip Borovicanin backgrounds
Collins joined the Bearcats after playing for Jerrod Calhoun at Utah State and leading the Aggies in scoring at 17.5 points per game. He was in the NBA G League Combine camp and had looks with the Pacers, Hornets and Grizzlies, but many players available for the draft returned to the college ranks.
Borovicanin was a Xavier starter last season, averaging 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in coach Richard Pitino's first season at Xavier, coming with him from New Mexico.
South of Cincinnati, Kentucky had an impact signing of Milan Momcilovic, who played vs. UC with Iowa State, tested NBA waters, then signed with the Wildcats.
Calhoun appeared in court for Collins, just as Xavier's Pitino did for Borovicanin on July 1.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Chris Wagnerissued a preliminary injunction July 9 clearing Collins, Borovicanin and others. On Oct. 2, the Ohio First District Court of Appeals sided with the NCAA, keeping them ineligible. Four days later, attorneys for the players filed for an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Cincinnati Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers should benefit by additions of MJ Collins, Filip Borovicanin
After previously playing at Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt, Collins started all 36 games for Calhoun last season at Utah State. Eligible at the time, he played with the Bearcats in their two exhibition wins in the Bahamas over two Canadian teams. Collins had 15 points and four assists in a win over Victoria (Canada) on Aug. 4, then added 9 points, two assists and three steals the next day in a victory over Calgary.
Collins would be the fourth former Utah State on the Bearcats, joining Elijah Perryman, Adlan Elamin and David Iweze.
Borovicanin started 32 of 33 games for Pitino at Xavier and 29 of 35 the previous season at New Mexico. Borovicanin had 12 points and four assists in last year's Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout, going 5-for-7 from the field. This year's game is slated for Dec. 5 at Fifth Third Arena.
Background of NCAA legislation challenged by XU's Borovicanin, UC's Collins
Under previous NCAA eligibility rules, Collins and Borovicanin had exhausted their time as college athletes. New rules now in effect allow student-athletes "five years to play five," meaning they could play five consecutive years, or if a year was missed to injury, they would still have an extra year.
But the NCAA legislation was to be effective "going forward," meaning Class of 2022 players had their clocks ended.
This order from Ohio Gov. DeWine only covers players in Ohio, so there could be more interpretation. Yahoo Sports predicts that it all may not be done.
While other governors could soon follow suit and issue their own executive orders regarding fifth-year players, the NCAA is likely to keep fighting for its own interpretation of the fifth-year rule in federal court.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC's MJ Collins, Xavier's Filip Borovicanin eligible per Gov. DeWine
