Jamichael Stillwell, who started 30 games for UCF last season and played a major role in the program’s first NCAA Tournament trip since 2019, is among 16 men’s basketball players suing the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility in a complaint filed July 9 in Cobb County, Georgia.
Ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, the NCAA adopted an age-based eligibility model. The five-year eligibility period begins with the earlier of these two events: the academic term in which a student-athlete enrolls full-time and attends class at any college or university, or the start of the regular academic year immediately following the student-athlete’s 19th birthday if it occurs before Sept. 1.
The lawsuit argues that the NCAA’s application of this bylaw “unfairly limits the number of games they can participate in during their ‘five-year eligibility window’ and unjustifiably restrains their ability to earn money through use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) connected to their work as Division I athletes.”
Stillwell, a 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward from Atlanta, announced intentions to enter the transfer portal April 15 while seeking a fifth year of eligibility. He played two junior college seasons, and another at Milwaukee, where he set the school’s single-season record for double-doubles (16).
Per the lawsuit, should he attain a fifth year, Stillwell “may play at the University of Central Florida, which has aroster spot available for him.” He previously stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, his intention to play again at UCF, but that post has since been deleted.
Stillwell averaged 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Knights in 2025-26, ranking second in the Big 12 in offensive boards per game (3.35). He had nine double-doubles and became the first forward in UCF history to total more than 100 offensive rebounds in a single season.
UCF retained four players from its NCAA Tournament squad, highlighted by starting center John Bol and 3-point shooting specialist Carmelo Pacheco. Dior Johnson returned to the program after spending a year at Tarleton State, and Cayden Vasko (Wofford) and Lewis Walker (North Carolina A&T) headline the newcomers.
UCF’s football program is awaiting the ruling of a separate lawsuit filed in Orange County. Former Kansas defensive end Dean Miller has a hearing set for Aug. 6, four weeks before the Knights’ home opener against Bethune-Cookman.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF basketball double-double machine sues NCAA for extra eligibility
Reporting by Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
