Rick Pitino and the St. John’s coaching staff are focused on recruiting high-end talents to bolster the roster, achieving success in the transfer portal. Despite their efforts, they may have more returning players than anticipated. Chris Ledlum and Jordan Dingle, Ivy League players who transferred to the program last year and were key starters, are taking legal action against the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. The Ivy League did not play in the 2020-21 season due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ledlum and Dingle did not receive an additional year like others. Their waivers for a fifth year were denied by the NCAA, prompting them to sue the governing sports body.
In their lawsuit, Ledlum and Dingle are seeking injunctive relief, claiming that the NCAA is violating New York antitrust and NIL laws. They argue that they are facing “irreparable harm” due to the loss of a fifth year of eligibility. However, legal experts believe that the case is not a clear-cut victory for the players, as the NCAA has been successful in previous antitrust cases. The NCAA recently lost a ruling that prevented schools from using Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) as recruiting inducements, but won a case against twins Matthew Bewley and Ryan Bewley who were denied eligibility based on contracts with the Overtime Elite high school league.
Despite the uncertain outcome of the lawsuit, St. John’s has made significant additions to their roster through transfers Vince Iwuchukwu and Jordan Scott. With three scholarships remaining, the team is actively pursuing top prospects such as point guards Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith, as well as forward Norchad Omier. Throughout the recruiting process, St. John’s has supported Ledlum and Dingle in their pursuit of an additional year of eligibility, demonstrating their commitment to their players. The court’s decision in this case will have implications for how the NCAA handles eligibility disputes and could set a precedent for future cases involving student-athletes seeking extra playing time.
