Two Xavier men’s basketball players from last year’s team are seeking an additional year of eligibility.
Filip Borovicanin and Malik Messina-Moore are part of a group of 15 athletes who have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA that seeks an injunction to play next season, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of the NCAA approving the 5-for-5 eligibility model, which starts an athlete’s five-year eligibility clock upon full-time enrollment at a university or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
Borovicanin played four collegiate seasons − two at Arizona (2023-24) and one at New Mexico (2025) − before averaging 10.8 points per game last season for the Musketeers. Messina-Moore spent two seasons at Pepperdine (2023-24) and one at Montana (2025) before transferring to Xavier for his senior season.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported on Tuesday, June 23 that attorneys Ryan Downton and Darren Heitner plan to file lawsuits for more than 50 basketball players seeking an extra year of eligibility across five states.
Also mentioned are former Utah State players MJ Collins and Kolby King, who intend to transfer to UC to play for new head coach Jerrod Calhoun if granted an extra season.
The Ohio lawsuit reads: “Each Plaintiff began playing NCAA basketball no earlier than the 2022-23 season − the first year of their college careers − and has competed for four seasons. None has redshirted. Each remains within the five-year eligibility window. Each would be eligible to compete in 2026-27 udner the rule the NCAA made permanent on June 23, 2026. And each has been specifically excluded from that rule by the NCAA’s arbitrary decision to carve out the class of 2022.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier’s Borovicanin, Messina-Moore part of lawsuit for another season
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
