Ever since NIL deals became a reality, the landscape of college basketball has shifted dramatically. Players now have the chance to stay in school beyond the traditional four years, not just to hone their skills, but to earn significant money while doing so. For many, especially those unlikely to make it to the NBA, it makes perfect sense. But not everyone gets to play by the rules they expect. Tyon Grant-Foster found himself in a situation that defied this new normal. Despite having every right to capitalize on his time in college under the current NCAA rules, circumstances seem to have conspired against him.

The biggest offseason question in Spokane has revolved around one player: senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster. Could he be eligible to play? The Zags’ ceiling this season might hinge entirely on that answer. And the decision has now been made. Despite previously receiving a training waiver from the NCAA, Gonzaga’s Tyon Grant-Foster has had his eligibility waiver denied, according to reporter Jon Rothstein.

It’s been a challenging journey for Grant-Foster. He began at Indian Hills Community College before transferring to Kansas for the 2020-21 season. In 2021-22, his first year at DePaul, he was granted a medical redshirt after being rushed to the hospital at halftime of the season opener due to cardiac arrest. He then played two seasons at Grand Canyon University, where he earned 2024 WAC Player of the Year honors, before transferring to Gonzaga in May.

And now Grant-Foster is taking legal action against the NCAA to challenge the ruling. “Gonzaga is aware of the legal action filed by Tyon Grant-Foster regarding NCAA eligibility rules. Tyon’s story is one of remarkable resilience, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome,” the program said in a statement released via KREM 2 Sports. An injunction hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Spokane County, and Grant-Foster will be eligible to play if the injunction is granted.

As you might expect, fans are far from pleased with the NCAA’s timing on this decision. Social media has been flooded with comments questioning why it came now. Let’s take a look at some of those reactions.

Fans react to the NCAA’s decision against Tyon Grant-Foster

“Why would the NCAA give him a practice waiver if just two weeks later, they were gonna deny his eligibility waiver anyway? w-f NCAA? Also why did it take nearly 5 MONTHS to make a decision to the point where the season starts in 2 weeks,” one fan vented, clearly frustrated with the timing. They weren’t alone. Another added, “Season starts in two weeks might as well just let him play if you’re gonna wait this long to make a decision.”

As the comments suggest, the road to March Madness kicks off on November 3, leaving less than two weeks until the season starts. At this stage, the Bulldogs are set to lose one of their prized transfers and won’t have the opportunity to replace him, as the transfer portal is now closed. Is this even fair?

Another fan quickly pointed out that Chad Baker-Mazara, also 25, still gets to play college basketball after transferring to the USC Trojans. “So why does Chad Baker-Mazara get to play?” they asked. For those wondering, Baker-Mazara is eligible thanks to the NCAA’s temporary waiver, which grants an extra year of eligibility to players who spent time at a junior college or NAIA school.

Funnily enough, this is exactly what should make Tyon Grant-Foster eligible as well. Like Chad Baker-Mazara, he has both JUCO eligibility and a medical redshirt. If anyone deserves an eligibility waiver from the NCAA, it’s him. Here’s a look at his career so far:

• 2018/19: JUCO
• 2019/20: JUCO
• 2020/21: Played 22 games for Kansas
• 2021/22: He played one game for De Paul before collapsing from a cardiac arrest.
• 2022/23: Did not play
• 2023/24: Played 34 games for GCU
• 2024/25: Played 26 games for GCU

For those saying, “Dude’s been playing college ball for seven years, lmao,” it really doesn’t add up. Grant-Foster has only played three full NCAA seasons so far. We’re talking about a player whose heart had to be shocked back into rhythm three times, who underwent two heart surgeries, and was even told he would never play basketball again—only to return 16 months later. His story is one of sheer resilience. Factor in the exemptions for his two JUCO years and one COVID-affected season, and he still legitimately has another year of eligibility.

And the fact is, he’s a legitimately good player, and not having him on the court will only affect the popularity of college basketball. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Such a hooper. Would only help CBB views 😭.” Sure, this might sound controversial. Good players graduate to the pros every year, and viewership continues to grow, but this case is different. Here’s a player who should theoretically be eligible, yet the NCAA canceled his eligibility just two weeks before the season starts. That doesn’t reflect well on the league. And let’s not forget, he wasn’t even bad after returning from a life-threatening scare.

After missing nearly two full seasons, Grant-Foster returned to average 20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. By the end of the regular season, he earned All-WAC First Team honors and was named WAC Player of the Year—the first player from Grand Canyon to receive the award. He also led the team in scoring with 22 points during Grand Canyon’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory, upsetting the No. 5 seed St. Mary’s Gaels 75–66.

No one wants to see a story like Grant-Foster’s end this way. Will he win the case and get back on the court? We’ll find out soon enough!