RJ Godfrey sues NCAA for fifth year of eligibility, likely wouldn't return to Clemson

Former Clemson basketball forward RJ Godfrey is part of a group lawsuit against the NCAA filed July 9 to gain a fifth year of eligibility, according to Cobb County, Georgia, court records.

>If his lawsuit is successful, Godfrey likely would not return to the Tigers and coach Brad Brownell in 2026-27.

>In the complaint, Godfrey is among 16 players who are arguing that the NCAA "unfairly" limited the number of games those athletes can participate in during their five-year eligibility window and "unjustifiably (restrained)" their ability to earn money through NIL.

>Godfrey and others are seeking an immediate injunctive relief that would allow them to sign scholarship and revenue-sharing agreements with schools plus with third-party agreements for NIL compensation to play in the 2026-27 season.

>The NCAA approved a change to its eligibility rules on June 23, giving all athletes five years of eligibility over five seasons instead of five years to play four seasons.

>Under the new rules, there will be no more redshirts, and waivers will only be granted in the case of pregnancy, military service or religious missions. An athlete's five-year clock would start the academic year after their 19th birthday or upon college enrollment, whichever is earlier.

>Athletes who completed their fourth year of eligibility in 2025-26, like Godfrey, were not given an extra year, though. This has created lawsuits against the NCAA as players are seeking a fifth season.

>For Godfrey, who had pre-NBA draft workouts but wasn't selected or signed to an undrafted free-agent deal, it would give him another season to boost his stock. However he likely wouldn't finish his career with Clemson and would likely play in the SEC.

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>The lawsuit stated that Oklahoma, Arkansas and LSU all have expressed interest in Godfrey if he is awarded another year of eligibility.

>He would unlikely return to Clemson as the Tigers have one roster spot available for another player and would not have the dollars to bring back that caliber of player.

>Clemson also went out to replace Godfrey's production in the portal, adding Samford forward Dylan Faulkner and San Francisco forward David Fuchs. The Tigers retained starting center Carter Welling, too.

>There's no guarantee that Godfrey is granted an injunction, but he hired Darren Heitner as one of his lawyers for this legal battle. Heitner helped Clemson football wide receiver Tristan Smith get another year of eligibility in a South Carolina court in June.

RJ Godfrey stats at ClemsonAfter spending one season in Georgia in 2024-25, Godfrey transferred back to Clemson for the 2025-26 season. He led Clemson in scoring with 12 points and was second on the team in rebounds with 5.3 per game.

>With Godfrey, Clemson made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, including an Elite Eight appearance, and 2026. In his Tigers career, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and shot 60% from the field over 104 games and 33 starts.

>Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

>This article originally appeared on Greenville News: RJ Godfrey sues NCAA for fifth year of eligibility, likely wouldn't return to Clemson