Clemson Guard Dillon Hunter Sues NCAA in Pickens County for Fifth Season

Dillon Hunter sued the NCAA in Pickens County court, requesting a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and permanent injunction to play a fifth season for Clemson's men's basketball team, according to court documents obtained by The Post and Courier. Yahoo published the report. Clemson University is also named as a defendant.

Hunter's Filing in Pickens County

A court note in the online record states that "an expedited hearing shall be scheduled for this motion," but no hearing date is listed. TigerIllustrated's Larry Williams was the first to report the move.

Hunter previously won an eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA in Georgia. The NCAA appealed the ruling and was granted a stay, reversing the decision temporarily until the appeal process was complete. After oral arguments were scheduled for January, more than halfway through the 2026-2027 season, Hunter voluntarily dismissed himself from the case without prejudice on October 27.

That dismissal opened the door for Hunter to join a lawsuit in McLennan County, Texas, which was already nearing a decision before he was listed as a named plaintiff for the first time on October 27. The judge in Texas dismissed Hunter and others from the case on October 30 "for lack of personal jurisdiction."

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said Hunter and the Tigers are exploring every option. Hunter has been practicing with the team and taking classes, but he was not allowed to play in the Tigers' two preseason exhibitions against Georgia and Presbyterian, nor the season opener against Stetson on November 2.

NCAA's 5 in 5 Eligibility Model

According to akta.pro company records, the NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new age-based "5-for-5" eligibility model in June 2026, replacing the four-season-over-five-years rule and taking effect for the 2026-27 season. The model gives all players five seasons to play from their first year of college or nineteenth birthday, whichever comes first, eliminating redshirts and hardship waivers.

The NCAA excluded all players from the high school class of 2022 from the rule change, determining they should not be allowed to return or transfer elsewhere for another season. Hunter was part of that excluded group. A month later, a Colorado federal judge ruled in Wisne v. NCAA that all class of 2022 students should be eligible; that ruling was also appealed and stayed, but it opened the door for players to sue for extra seasons in local courts.

Earlier Eligibility Rulings

Hunter entered his name into the Georgia lawsuit in August, shortly after the Wisne ruling. The NCAA appealed that ruling and was granted a stay, reversing the decision temporarily until the appeal process was complete. Hunter then voluntarily dismissed himself from the Georgia case on October 27, the same day he was first listed as a named plaintiff in the Texas lawsuit. The Texas judge dismissed Hunter and others from that case on October 30 for lack of personal jurisdiction.

Clemson's Next Game Against American

The Tigers play their next game against American on November 6 at 7 p.m. Unless Hunter receives a decision in the new lawsuit before then, he will not be available to play.